University of Hawaii at Manoa vs Brigham Young University-Hawaii: which has better ROI?
University of Hawaii at Manoa has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $62,656 in 6.8 years versus 18.1 years at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, on median earnings of $57,624 vs $52,064 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Hawaii at Manoa | Brigham Young University-Hawaii |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,664 | $16,774 |
| Total net cost | $62,656 | $67,096 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,624 | $52,064 |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $9,413 |
| Payback | 6.8 yrs | 18.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $122,624 | $6,984 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Hawaii at Manoa or Brigham Young University-Hawaii?
University of Hawaii at Manoa, at $15,664 a year after aid versus $16,774 — a gap of $1,110 a year, or $4,440 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 Manoa or Brigham Young University-Hawaii graduates earn more?
University of Hawaii at Manoa graduates report a median $57,624 ten years after entry, $5,560 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, University of Hawaii at Manoa or Brigham Young University-Hawaii?
Brigham Young University-Hawaii: its completers carry a median $9,413 in federal loans versus $18,500 at University of Hawaii at Manoa, a difference of $9,087. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at University of Hawaii at Manoa, against 53% at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. 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.