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Brigham Young University-Hawaii vs Hawaii Community College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Brigham Young University-Hawaii has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $67,096 in 18.1 years versus not at all at Hawaii Community College, on median earnings of $52,064 vs $34,891 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBrigham Young University-HawaiiHawaii Community College
Net price / yr$16,774$8,942
Total net cost$67,096$17,884
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,064$34,891
Median debt$9,413$10,500
Payback18.1 yrs
20-year net return$6,984-$287,264

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

Which is cheaper, Brigham Young University-Hawaii or Hawaii Community College?

Hawaii Community College, at $8,942 a year after aid versus $16,774 — a gap of $7,832 a year, or $49,212 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Brigham Young University-Hawaii or Hawaii Community College graduates earn more?

Brigham Young University-Hawaii graduates report a median $52,064 ten years after entry, $17,173 more than the $34,891 at Hawaii Community College. 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.

Which leaves students with less debt, Brigham Young University-Hawaii or Hawaii Community College?

Brigham Young University-Hawaii: its completers carry a median $9,413 in federal loans versus $10,500 at Hawaii Community College, a difference of $1,087. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

53% of students finish at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, against 33% at Hawaii Community College. 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.

Brigham Young University-Hawaii vs Hawaii Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Brigham Young University-Hawaii or Hawaii Community College a better value?
Brigham Young University-Hawaii. It clears its $67,096 net cost in about 18.1 years versus no clear payback at Hawaii Community College, on median earnings of $52,064 vs $34,891 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Brigham Young University-Hawaii or Hawaii Community College?
Hawaii Community College: $8,942/yr net price after aid versus $16,774/yr at Brigham Young University-Hawaii — a difference of $7,832 a year, or about $49,212 over four years.
Do Brigham Young University-Hawaii or Hawaii Community College graduates earn more?
Brigham Young University-Hawaii graduates earn a median $52,064 ten years after entry, versus $34,891 at Hawaii Community College — a $17,173 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.