University of Hawaii at Hilo vs Hawaii Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Hawaii at Hilo comes closer — median earnings $47,856 against a $47,424 total, vs $34,891 at Hawaii Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hawaii Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,856 | $8,942 |
| Total net cost | $47,424 | $17,884 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,856 | $34,891 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $10,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$57,504 | -$287,264 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Hawaii at Hilo or Hawaii Community College?
Hawaii Community College, at $8,942 a year after aid versus $11,856 — a gap of $2,914 a year, or $29,540 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Hawaii at Hilo or Hawaii Community College graduates earn more?
University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates report a median $47,856 ten years after entry, $12,965 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, University of Hawaii at Hilo or Hawaii Community College?
Hawaii Community College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $20,500 at University of Hawaii at Hilo, a difference of $10,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
48% of students finish at University of Hawaii at Hilo, 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.