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University of Hawaii at Manoa — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Honolulu, HI · 15,029 students

The verdict

University of Hawaii at Manoa charges a net price of $15,664/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $62,656. Graduates earn a median $57,624 ten years after entry, $9,264/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6.8 years — a 20-year net return of $122,624, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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University of Hawaii at Manoa's 6.8-year payback ranks #604 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 53% of them, and #1 of 13 in Hawaii.

Better ROI than 53% of US colleges#604 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$15,664
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$57,624
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
6.8 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
87%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
University of Hawaii at Manoa: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$15,664/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$62,656our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$57,624Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$9,264/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$18,500Scorecard, 2026
Payback6.8 yrsour math
20-year net return$122,624our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on University of Hawaii at Manoa's own numbers. Net price $15,664 × 4 years = $62,656 total. Median earnings $57,624 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $9,264 a year of premium. $62,656 ÷ $9,264 = 6.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $122,624. 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 University of Hawaii at Manoa students graduate with?

A median $18,500 in federal loans among completers, or 32% of the $57,624 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of University of Hawaii at Manoa students graduate?

64% finish their degree — 36% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $62,656 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $97,900 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is University of Hawaii at Manoa expensive compared with other Hawaii colleges?

Its $15,664 net price runs $5,337 above the $10,327 median across the 13 Hawaii colleges we profile, or $21,348 more across the full degree.

University of Hawaii at Manoa: frequently asked questions

Is University of Hawaii at Manoa worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. University of Hawaii at Manoa charges $15,664/yr after aid ($62,656 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $57,624 ten years out — $9,264/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 6.8 years and returns $122,624 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a University of Hawaii at Manoa degree take to pay off?
About 6.8 years. We divide the $62,656 four-year net cost by the $9,264/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does University of Hawaii at Manoa cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $15,664/yr — about $62,656 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does University of Hawaii at Manoa compare to other Hawaii colleges?
It ranks #1 of 13 Hawaii colleges we track by payback. Its $57,624 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $15,664 net price is below the national median of $16,902.