Degree Dividend
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Leeward Community College vs Windward Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Pearl City HI · vs · Public, Kaneohe HI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Leeward Community College comes closer — median earnings $39,899 against a $10,274 total, vs $38,439 at Windward Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLeeward Community CollegeWindward Community College
Net price / yr$5,137$8,169
Total net cost$10,274$16,338
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,899$38,439
Median debt$8,970$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$179,494-$214,758

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

Which is cheaper, Leeward Community College or Windward Community College?

Leeward Community College, at $5,137 a year after aid versus $8,169 — a gap of $3,032 a year, or $6,064 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Leeward Community College or Windward Community College graduates earn more?

Leeward Community College graduates report a median $39,899 ten years after entry, $1,460 more than the $38,439 at Windward 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, Leeward Community College or Windward Community College?

Leeward Community College: its completers carry a median $8,970 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Windward Community College, a difference of $530. 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 Leeward Community College, against 31% at Windward 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.

Leeward Community College vs Windward Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Leeward Community College or Windward Community College a better value?
Leeward Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Leeward Community College or Windward Community College?
Leeward Community College: $5,137/yr net price after aid versus $8,169/yr at Windward Community College — a difference of $3,032 a year, or about $6,064 over four years.
Do Leeward Community College or Windward Community College graduates earn more?
Leeward Community College graduates earn a median $39,899 ten years after entry, versus $38,439 at Windward Community College — a $1,460 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.