Head-to-head comparison
Hawaii Pacific University vs Hawaii Community College: which has better ROI?
Option A Honolulu, HI
Hawaii Pacific University
- Net price / year
- $29,657
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,593
- Payback
- 10.6 yrs
Option B Hilo, HI
Hawaii Community College
- Net price / year
- $8,942
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,891
- Payback
- No payback
Hawaii Pacific University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $118,628 in 10.6 years versus not at all at Hawaii Community College, on median earnings of $59,593 vs $34,891 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Hawaii Pacific University | Hawaii Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,657 | $8,942 |
| Total net cost | $118,628 | $17,884 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,593 | $34,891 |
| Median debt | $22,000 | $10,500 |
| Payback | 10.6 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $106,032 | -$287,264 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Hawaii Pacific University or Hawaii Community College?
Hawaii Community College, at $8,942 a year after aid versus $29,657 — a gap of $20,715 a year, or $100,744 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 Hawaii Pacific University or Hawaii Community College graduates earn more?
Hawaii Pacific University graduates report a median $59,593 ten years after entry, $24,702 more than the $34,891 at Hawaii Community College. 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, Hawaii Pacific University or Hawaii Community College?
Hawaii Community College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $22,000 at Hawaii Pacific University, a difference of $11,500. 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?
35% of students finish at Hawaii Pacific University, against 33% at Hawaii Community College. 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.