Hawaii Pacific University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Hawaii Pacific University charges a net price of $29,657/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $118,628. Graduates earn a median $59,593 ten years after entry, $11,233/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 10.6 years — a 20-year net return of $106,032, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Hawaii Pacific University's 10.6-year payback ranks #815 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 36% of them, and #2 of 13 in Hawaii.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $29,657/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $118,628 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $59,593 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $11,233/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 10.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $106,032 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Hawaii Pacific University's own numbers. Net price $29,657 × 4 years = $118,628 total. Median earnings $59,593 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $11,233 a year of premium. $118,628 ÷ $11,233 = 10.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $106,032. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Hawaii Pacific University students graduate with?
A median $22,000 in federal loans among completers, or 37% of the $59,593 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Hawaii Pacific University students graduate?
35% finish their degree — 65% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $118,628 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $338,937 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Hawaii Pacific University expensive compared with other Hawaii colleges?
Its $29,657 net price runs $19,330 above the $10,327 median across the 13 Hawaii colleges we profile, or $77,320 more across the full degree.