Degree Dividend
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Honolulu Community College vs Chaminade University of Honolulu: which has better ROI?

Public, Honolulu HI · vs · Private nonprofit, Honolulu HI

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Chaminade University of Honolulu has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $115,424 in 29 years versus not at all at Honolulu Community College, on median earnings of $52,343 vs $45,105 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHonolulu Community CollegeChaminade University of Honolulu
Net price / yr$7,458$28,856
Total net cost$14,916$115,424
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,105$52,343
Median debt$7,534$23,250
Payback—29 yrs
20-year net return-$80,016-$35,764

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

Which is cheaper, Honolulu Community College or Chaminade University of Honolulu?

Honolulu Community College, at $7,458 a year after aid versus $28,856 — a gap of $21,398 a year, or $100,508 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Honolulu Community College or Chaminade University of Honolulu graduates earn more?

Chaminade University of Honolulu graduates report a median $52,343 ten years after entry, $7,238 more than the $45,105 at Honolulu 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, Honolulu Community College or Chaminade University of Honolulu?

Honolulu Community College: its completers carry a median $7,534 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Chaminade University of Honolulu, a difference of $15,716. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

55% of students finish at Chaminade University of Honolulu, against 25% at Honolulu 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.

Honolulu Community College vs Chaminade University of Honolulu: frequently asked questions

Is Honolulu Community College or Chaminade University of Honolulu a better value?
Chaminade University of Honolulu. It clears its $115,424 net cost in about 29 years versus no clear payback at Honolulu Community College, on median earnings of $52,343 vs $45,105 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Honolulu Community College or Chaminade University of Honolulu?
Honolulu Community College: $7,458/yr net price after aid versus $28,856/yr at Chaminade University of Honolulu — a difference of $21,398 a year, or about $100,508 over four years.
Do Honolulu Community College or Chaminade University of Honolulu graduates earn more?
Chaminade University of Honolulu graduates earn a median $52,343 ten years after entry, versus $45,105 at Honolulu Community College — a $7,238 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.