Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Laie, Hawaii · Private Nonprofit · 47.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 62/100 · Fair Value
Brigham Young University-Hawaii in Laie scores ROI 62 (Fair Value) -- a small LDS-affiliated institution on the North Shore of Oahu with 2,889 undergraduates. The school's financial profile is unusual: tuition is $6,630 per year, the lowest on the list, yet net price climbs to $16,774 because housing and cost of living in Hawaii add substantially to the real cost of attendance. Median 6-year earnings land at $35,600, rising to $52,064 at 10 years -- below many comparable small privates but supported by an exceptional debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.264 (median debt $9,413). That debt figure is the school's most striking data point: graduates carry only $9,413 at graduation, which translates to manageable monthly payments against modest earnings. Completion at 52.6% is the main weakness. Business Administration is the only program with reportable earnings data, with 111 graduates per year. BYU-Hawaii serves a globally diverse, predominantly LDS student body from the Pacific region.
Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $6,630/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $6,630/yr |
| Average net price | $16,774/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $67,096 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,064 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $35,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $9,413 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $100 |
| Estimated payback period | 12.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 52.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,889 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Brigham Young University-Hawaii is $6,630/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $16,774/year, or roughly $67,096 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,623/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,582/year.
The median graduate leaves with $9,413 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $100 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $52,064 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.26 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,623 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,255 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,993 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,155 |
| $110,001+ | $22,582 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $11,623 per year -- the lowest net price on this income band, reflecting the Church's substantial subsidy. Over four years that is roughly $46,492. For low-income LDS families, BYU-Hawaii represents a genuine access point to a faith-aligned education at costs below most public universities. The $9,413 median debt is minimal by any standard.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30,001-48,000 bracket jumps to $21,255 -- a sharp increase from the lowest bracket, which is unusual. The 48,001-75,000 bracket falls back to $15,993, and the 75,001-110,000 bracket rises to $17,155. The irregular pattern likely reflects LDS scholarship eligibility cutoffs at the lower end. Middle-income families should use the net price calculator to confirm their bracket.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $22,582 per year. Over four years that is roughly $90,328, which is competitive with mainland private school pricing. Given the $35,600 median 6-year earnings, high-income families need to factor in the church-specific career pathway context: BYU-Hawaii graduates often enter fields (mission, church service, Pacific-rim business) where standard salary benchmarks underrepresent actual financial value.
Earnings by Major
Top 1 most popular majors at Brigham Young University-Hawaii with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $41,461 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is BYU-Hawaii's largest and only program with reported earnings data at 111 graduates per year. Median 1-year earnings of $41,461 (4-year data not available in the Scorecard) reflect mid-level management and business roles across Hawaii and the Pacific region. Without 4-year earnings, the long-term trajectory is unclear from available data. The LDS network creates unique placement pathways for BYU-Hawaii business graduates -- the Polynesian Cultural Center (adjacent to campus and operated by the Church) is a major local employer, and LDS institutional connections extend internationally. Students who use the global LDS network in Pacific-rim business contexts may outperform what the Scorecard earnings suggest.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 74.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 80.3% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 75.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 76.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 47.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 480-570 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 480-620 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 21-25 |
| Enrollment | 2,889 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 15.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,793 |
BYU-Hawaii admits 47% of applicants -- the most selective school in this analysis relative to its ROI tier. SAT Math 480-570, SAT Reading 480-620; ACT 21-25. The selective admission rate relative to the school's moderate test score range reflects LDS ecclesiastical endorsement requirements, which filter applicants beyond academics. Students must have a bishop's endorsement to attend.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
BYU-Hawaii (ROI 62, D2E 0.264) is unusual in its peer set. Chaminade University of Honolulu (ROI 31, earn6yr $31,800, D2E 0.731) is Hawaii's closest comparable private and scores far below on every metric. Hawaii Pacific University (ROI 48, earn6yr $41,800, D2E 0.526) has higher earnings but weaker debt control and lower completion. BYU-Hawaii's $9,413 median debt is the standout in any Hawaii peer comparison -- far below any private school alternative. The 12.1-year payback period is long, but with minimal debt, graduates are not in financial distress; their earnings trajectory simply grows slowly in Hawaii's post-graduate labor market.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University-Hawaii (this school) | 62 | $16,774 | $52,064 |
| St Olaf College | 73 | $23,874 | $65,543 |
| Jacksonville University | 67 | $25,180 | $68,010 |
| Yeshiva University | 67 | $49,965 | $71,353 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | 48 | $29,657 | $59,593 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | 31 | $28,856 | $52,343 |
Who Thrives Here
BYU-Hawaii fits students who align with LDS values and the Pacific campus lifestyle, with ACT 21-25 or SAT 480-620 range. With only 15.1% Pell recipients and a church-subsidized tuition, this school is unusually affordable for its private status. Completion at 52.6% is a concern for students who are not mission-focused or who lack clear academic direction. The school's international student population (Pacific Islands, Asia) creates a distinctive community that appeals to LDS members seeking cross-cultural engagement.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Brigham Young University-Hawaii offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $16,774 per year leads to $67,096 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $52,064 a decade out. The payback period of 12.1 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows a 52.6% graduation rate.
Median debt of $9,413 is very manageable against $52,064 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.