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Chaminade University of Honolulu — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Honolulu, HI · 1,672 students

The verdict

Chaminade University of Honolulu charges a net price of $28,856/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $115,424. Graduates earn a median $52,343 ten years after entry, $3,983/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 29 years — a 20-year net return of $-35,764, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Chaminade University of Honolulu's 29-year payback ranks #1,130 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 12% of them, and #5 of 13 in Hawaii.

Better ROI than 12% of US colleges#1,130 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$28,856
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$52,343
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
29 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
91%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Chaminade University of Honolulu: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$28,856/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$115,424our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$52,343Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$3,983/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,250Scorecard, 2026
Payback29 yrsour math
20-year net return$-35,764our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Chaminade University of Honolulu: frequently asked questions

Is Chaminade University of Honolulu worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Chaminade University of Honolulu charges $28,856/yr after aid ($115,424 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $52,343 ten years out — $3,983/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 29 years and returns $-35,764 net over 20 years, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone.
How long does a Chaminade University of Honolulu degree take to pay off?
About 29 years. We divide the $115,424 four-year net cost by the $3,983/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Chaminade University of Honolulu cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $28,856/yr — about $115,424 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Chaminade University of Honolulu compare to other Hawaii colleges?
It ranks #5 of 13 Hawaii colleges we track by payback. Its $52,343 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $28,856 net price is above the national median of $16,906.