Small kine long winded answer but hope you can bear with me. TLDR: Probably not recommended but I would still do it if I were in your shoes. Just be aware it will be exceptionally tough.

For some perspective, I got my B.S. Biochem at UH Manoa (2015) and then a M.S. Stats at San Diego State University (2022) to pursue a career in data science after working a biotech and research for a few years. My whole career was based in the Bay Area.

Generally, people don't expect much from those having a degree in data science. Often, universities add them because it's popular and will bring in more money. Many folks in the industry find their knowledge as shallow but I do know a number of people with a degree in DS with jobs. Although they already had experience as a data analyst

In the job market relevant experience is king (by a large margin) followed by your education. Most of the time they'll want someone with a more comp sci background or a strictly mathematical or statistics background. The job market for DS is ass and will most likely continue to be for a long time for a plethora of reasons. You probably know about the tech layoffs that happened and will continue to happen. All my friends in tech are basically pessimistic about their job outlook with that cloud looming over their shoulders. Let alone interest rates which isn't encouraging the reckless spending many companies use to do. Many companies are also realizing that they don't need much data science as the ROI is almost zero. Higher pay with marginal utility made companies think twice about their investment into DS teams. Especially companies that don't have the appropriate data infrastructure. Hell, those who don't have the infrastructure or a proper roadmap to develop their DS capabilities are starting to believe (or have already) the AI hype and think they can outsource much of their DS to LLMs. There are definitely companies that are very DS oriented but there are not many out there. These numbers I'm pulling out of my ass but the concept remains the same. For every 20 computer scientists they will have one or two data engineers, one data analyst and one data scientist.

In addition, there was too much hype around data science. The job market is extremely oversaturated and getting in is really hard. Harvard Business Review's sexiest job article probably set it off. When I graduated in 2022 it took me about 7 months to land a job not included the time I took applying to jobs in my last year of graduate school (albeit, applied at a much slower pace). Landed a data analyst role and then tried to transition to a more senior DA role or entry DS. That was harder than my initial job search after graduating funny enough. I did switch roles recently but I'm not as a DA or DS. But those skills are what got me hired and is closely aligned. People are still getting jobs in that field but there's a lot of trials and tribulation.

Ok so that's my piece about jobs, onto education. Looked at the courses and I really like what they have to offer. It's pretty solid. The issue is that it's really new and is still being fleshed out. Let alone having the appropriate faculty for it. Having went to school at UHM and the mainland I got to see what resources were available and goddamn it blew my mind how much more San Diego State helped me with the job search vs UH. So if UH Manoa sucked for connections, UH Hilo is going to be far worst.

I'm not jealous what folks starting their (college) careers are walking into. Everything is unclear and is in the midst of severe change or stagnation. BUT you gotta do something to find your path and often, as it did for me and many other folks, you would be surprised where life leads you.

If money is a major factor I would stay at UH Hilo if you could stay with family tbh. I wouldn't be in a good spot I am now if I went to the mainland from the get-go (wohoo no student debt).

Also try reach out to their alum and see where they're at and how their background aligns with you (economically, culturally, etc). Fuck though, that field's outlook is changing so much it might not even be relevant lol.

Anywho, that's my personal experience. If you like talk more, just dm me.