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Brigham Young University-Hawaii vs University of Hawaii-West Oahu: which has better ROI?

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

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 18.1 years at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, on median earnings of $52,075 vs $52,064 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBrigham Young University-HawaiiUniversity of Hawaii-West Oahu
Net price / yr$16,774$10,327
Total net cost$67,096$41,308
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,064$52,075
Median debt$9,413$14,500
Payback18.1 yrs11.1 yrs
20-year net return$6,984$32,992

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

Which is cheaper, Brigham Young University-Hawaii or University of Hawaii-West Oahu?

University of Hawaii-West Oahu, at $10,327 a year after aid versus $16,774 — a gap of $6,447 a year, or $25,788 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 University of Hawaii-West Oahu graduates earn more?

University of Hawaii-West Oahu graduates report a median $52,075 ten years after entry, $11 more than the $52,064 at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. 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 University of Hawaii-West Oahu?

Brigham Young University-Hawaii: its completers carry a median $9,413 in federal loans versus $14,500 at University of Hawaii-West Oahu, a difference of $5,087. 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 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.

Brigham Young University-Hawaii vs University of Hawaii-West Oahu: frequently asked questions

Is Brigham Young University-Hawaii or University of Hawaii-West Oahu a better value?
University of Hawaii-West Oahu. It clears its $41,308 net cost in about 11.1 years versus 18.1 years at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, on median earnings of $52,075 vs $52,064 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Brigham Young University-Hawaii or University of Hawaii-West Oahu?
University of Hawaii-West Oahu: $10,327/yr net price after aid versus $16,774/yr at Brigham Young University-Hawaii — a difference of $6,447 a year, or about $25,788 over four years.
Do Brigham Young University-Hawaii or University of Hawaii-West Oahu graduates earn more?
University of Hawaii-West Oahu graduates earn a median $52,075 ten years after entry, versus $52,064 at Brigham Young University-Hawaii — a $11 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.