Head-to-head comparison
Brigham Young University-Hawaii vs University of Hawaii-West Oahu: which has better ROI?
Option A Laie, HI
Brigham Young University-Hawaii
- Net price / year
- $16,774
- Earnings, 10 years
- $52,064
- Payback
- 18.1 yrs
Option B Kapolei, HI
University of Hawaii-West Oahu
- Net price / year
- $10,327
- Earnings, 10 years
- $52,075
- Payback
- 11.1 yrs
University of Hawaii-West Oahu has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $41,308 in 11.1 years versus 18.1 years at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, on median earnings of $52,075 vs $52,064 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Brigham Young University-Hawaii | University of Hawaii-West Oahu |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,774 | $10,327 |
| Total net cost | $67,096 | $41,308 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,064 | $52,075 |
| Median debt | $9,413 | $14,500 |
| Payback | 18.1 yrs | 11.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $6,984 | $32,992 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Brigham Young University-Hawaii or University of Hawaii-West Oahu?
University of Hawaii-West Oahu, at $10,327 a year after aid versus $16,774 — a gap of $6,447 a year, or $25,788 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Brigham Young University-Hawaii or University of Hawaii-West Oahu graduates earn more?
University of Hawaii-West Oahu graduates report a median $52,075 ten years after entry, $11 more than the $52,064 at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Brigham Young University-Hawaii or University of Hawaii-West Oahu?
Brigham Young University-Hawaii: its completers carry a median $9,413 in federal loans versus $14,500 at University of Hawaii-West Oahu, a difference of $5,087. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
53% of students finish at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, against 50% at University of Hawaii-West Oahu. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.