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University of Hawaii at Manoa vs Honolulu Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Honolulu HI · vs · Public, Honolulu HI

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

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 Honolulu Community College, on median earnings of $57,624 vs $45,105 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu Community College
Net price / yr$15,664$7,458
Total net cost$62,656$14,916
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,624$45,105
Median debt$18,500$7,534
Payback6.8 yrs—
20-year net return$122,624-$80,016

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

Which is cheaper, University of Hawaii at Manoa or Honolulu Community College?

Honolulu Community College, at $7,458 a year after aid versus $15,664 — a gap of $8,206 a year, or $47,740 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 Honolulu Community College graduates earn more?

University of Hawaii at Manoa graduates report a median $57,624 ten years after entry, $12,519 more than the $45,105 at Honolulu 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 Honolulu Community College?

Honolulu Community College: its completers carry a median $7,534 in federal loans versus $18,500 at University of Hawaii at Manoa, a difference of $10,966. 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 25% at Honolulu 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.

University of Hawaii at Manoa vs Honolulu Community College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Hawaii at Manoa or Honolulu Community College a better value?
University of Hawaii at Manoa. It clears its $62,656 net cost in about 6.8 years versus no clear payback at Honolulu Community College, on median earnings of $57,624 vs $45,105 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Hawaii at Manoa or Honolulu Community College?
Honolulu Community College: $7,458/yr net price after aid versus $15,664/yr at University of Hawaii at Manoa — a difference of $8,206 a year, or about $47,740 over four years.
Do University of Hawaii at Manoa or Honolulu Community College graduates earn more?
University of Hawaii at Manoa graduates earn a median $57,624 ten years after entry, versus $45,105 at Honolulu Community College — a $12,519 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.