Head-to-head comparison
University of Hawaii-West Oahu vs Hawaii Pacific University: which has better ROI?
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
Hawaii Pacific University
- Net price / year
- $29,657
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,593
- Payback
- 10.6 yrs
Hawaii Pacific University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $118,628 in 10.6 years versus 11.1 years at University of Hawaii-West Oahu, on median earnings of $59,593 vs $52,075 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Hawaii Pacific University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,327 | $29,657 |
| Total net cost | $41,308 | $118,628 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,075 | $59,593 |
| Median debt | $14,500 | $22,000 |
| Payback | 11.1 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $32,992 | $106,032 |
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 Hawaii Pacific University?
University of Hawaii-West Oahu, at $10,327 a year after aid versus $29,657 — a gap of $19,330 a year, or $77,320 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 Hawaii Pacific University graduates earn more?
Hawaii Pacific University graduates report a median $59,593 ten years after entry, $7,518 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 Hawaii Pacific University?
University of Hawaii-West Oahu: its completers carry a median $14,500 in federal loans versus $22,000 at Hawaii Pacific University, a difference of $7,500. 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?
50% of students finish at University of Hawaii-West Oahu, against 35% at Hawaii Pacific University. 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.