Kapiolani Community College vs Hawaii Pacific University: which has better ROI?
Hawaii Pacific University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $118,628 in 10.6 years versus not at all at Kapiolani Community College, on median earnings of $59,593 vs $44,599 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Kapiolani Community College | Hawaii Pacific University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,202 | $29,657 |
| Total net cost | $10,404 | $118,628 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,599 | $59,593 |
| Median debt | $9,229 | $22,000 |
| Payback | — | 10.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$85,624 | $106,032 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Kapiolani Community College or Hawaii Pacific University?
Kapiolani Community College, at $5,202 a year after aid versus $29,657 — a gap of $24,455 a year, or $108,224 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Kapiolani Community College or Hawaii Pacific University graduates earn more?
Hawaii Pacific University graduates report a median $59,593 ten years after entry, $14,994 more than the $44,599 at Kapiolani 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, Kapiolani Community College or Hawaii Pacific University?
Kapiolani Community College: its completers carry a median $9,229 in federal loans versus $22,000 at Hawaii Pacific University, a difference of $12,771. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
35% of students finish at Hawaii Pacific University, against 22% at Kapiolani 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.