University of Hawaii at Manoa vs Hawaii Community College: 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 not at all at Hawaii Community College, on median earnings of $57,624 vs $34,891 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Hawaii at Manoa | Hawaii Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,664 | $8,942 |
| Total net cost | $62,656 | $17,884 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,624 | $34,891 |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $10,500 |
| Payback | 6.8 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $122,624 | -$287,264 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Hawaii at Manoa or Hawaii Community College?
Hawaii Community College, at $8,942 a year after aid versus $15,664 — a gap of $6,722 a year, or $44,772 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 Hawaii Community College graduates earn more?
University of Hawaii at Manoa graduates report a median $57,624 ten years after entry, $22,733 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 Manoa or Hawaii Community College?
Hawaii Community College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $18,500 at University of Hawaii at Manoa, a difference of $8,000. 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 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.