University of Hawaii-West Oahu vs Hawaii Community College: which has better ROI?
University of Hawaii-West Oahu has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $41,308 in 11.1 years versus not at all at Hawaii Community College, on median earnings of $52,075 vs $34,891 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Hawaii Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,327 | $8,942 |
| Total net cost | $41,308 | $17,884 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,075 | $34,891 |
| Median debt | $14,500 | $10,500 |
| Payback | 11.1 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $32,992 | -$287,264 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Hawaii-West Oahu or Hawaii Community College?
Hawaii Community College, at $8,942 a year after aid versus $10,327 — a gap of $1,385 a year, or $23,424 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-West Oahu or Hawaii Community College graduates earn more?
University of Hawaii-West Oahu graduates report a median $52,075 ten years after entry, $17,184 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-West Oahu or Hawaii Community College?
Hawaii Community College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $14,500 at University of Hawaii-West Oahu, a difference of $4,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at University of Hawaii-West Oahu, 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.