Skip to content
degreedividend.
ROI calculator
Independent college researchBuilt on federal dataNo rankings for sale

Head-to-head comparison

University of Hawaii-West Oahu vs Chaminade University of Honolulu: which has better ROI?

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

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

Option A Kapolei, HI

University of Hawaii-West Oahu

Net price / year
$10,327
Earnings, 10 years
$52,075
Payback
11.1 yrs

Option B Honolulu, HI

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Net price / year
$28,856
Earnings, 10 years
$52,343
Payback
29 yrs
The verdict

University of Hawaii-West Oahu has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $41,308 in 11.1 years versus 29 years at Chaminade University of Honolulu, on median earnings of $52,075 vs $52,343 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Hawaii-West OahuChaminade University of Honolulu
Net price / yr$10,327$28,856
Total net cost$41,308$115,424
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,075$52,343
Median debt$14,500$23,250
Payback11.1 yrs29 yrs
20-year net return$32,992-$35,764

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of Hawaii-West Oahu or Chaminade University of Honolulu?

University of Hawaii-West Oahu, at $10,327 a year after aid versus $28,856 — a gap of $18,529 a year, or $74,116 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-West Oahu or Chaminade University of Honolulu graduates earn more?

Chaminade University of Honolulu graduates report a median $52,343 ten years after entry, $268 more than the $52,075 at University of Hawaii-West Oahu. 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-West Oahu or Chaminade University of Honolulu?

University of Hawaii-West Oahu: its completers carry a median $14,500 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Chaminade University of Honolulu, a difference of $8,750. 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?

55% of students finish at Chaminade University of Honolulu, 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.

University of Hawaii-West Oahu vs Chaminade University of Honolulu: frequently asked questions

Is University of Hawaii-West Oahu or Chaminade University of Honolulu a better value?
University of Hawaii-West Oahu. It clears its $41,308 net cost in about 11.1 years versus 29 years at Chaminade University of Honolulu, on median earnings of $52,075 vs $52,343 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Hawaii-West Oahu or Chaminade University of Honolulu?
University of Hawaii-West Oahu: $10,327/yr net price after aid versus $28,856/yr at Chaminade University of Honolulu — a difference of $18,529 a year, or about $74,116 over four years.
Do University of Hawaii-West Oahu or Chaminade University of Honolulu graduates earn more?
Chaminade University of Honolulu graduates earn a median $52,343 ten years after entry, versus $52,075 at University of Hawaii-West Oahu — a $268 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.