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Head-to-head comparison

University of Hawaii at Manoa vs Brigham Young University-Hawaii: which has better ROI?

Public, Honolulu HI · vs · Private nonprofit, Laie HI

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Honolulu, HI

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Net price / year
$15,664
Earnings, 10 years
$57,624
Payback
6.8 yrs

Option B Laie, HI

Brigham Young University-Hawaii

Net price / year
$16,774
Earnings, 10 years
$52,064
Payback
18.1 yrs
The verdict

University of Hawaii at Manoa has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $62,656 in 6.8 years versus 18.1 years at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, on median earnings of $57,624 vs $52,064 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Hawaii at ManoaBrigham Young University-Hawaii
Net price / yr$15,664$16,774
Total net cost$62,656$67,096
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,624$52,064
Median debt$18,500$9,413
Payback6.8 yrs18.1 yrs
20-year net return$122,624$6,984

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of Hawaii at Manoa or Brigham Young University-Hawaii?

University of Hawaii at Manoa, at $15,664 a year after aid versus $16,774 — a gap of $1,110 a year, or $4,440 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 University of Hawaii at Manoa or Brigham Young University-Hawaii graduates earn more?

University of Hawaii at Manoa graduates report a median $57,624 ten years after entry, $5,560 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, University of Hawaii at Manoa or Brigham Young University-Hawaii?

Brigham Young University-Hawaii: its completers carry a median $9,413 in federal loans versus $18,500 at University of Hawaii at Manoa, a difference of $9,087. 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?

64% of students finish at University of Hawaii at Manoa, against 53% at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. 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.

University of Hawaii at Manoa vs Brigham Young University-Hawaii: frequently asked questions

Is University of Hawaii at Manoa or Brigham Young University-Hawaii a better value?
University of Hawaii at Manoa. It clears its $62,656 net cost in about 6.8 years versus 18.1 years at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, on median earnings of $57,624 vs $52,064 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Hawaii at Manoa or Brigham Young University-Hawaii?
University of Hawaii at Manoa: $15,664/yr net price after aid versus $16,774/yr at Brigham Young University-Hawaii — a difference of $1,110 a year, or about $4,440 over four years.
Do University of Hawaii at Manoa or Brigham Young University-Hawaii graduates earn more?
University of Hawaii at Manoa graduates earn a median $57,624 ten years after entry, versus $52,064 at Brigham Young University-Hawaii — a $5,560 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.