Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaii · Private Nonprofit · 91.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 31/100 · Poor Value
Chaminade University of Honolulu posts a 31 ROI score in the Poor Value tier -- a discouraging result for one of Hawaii's only private-nonprofit four-year options. Tuition lists at $30,874 with a net price of $28,856 (close to sticker, indicating thin institutional aid), totaling $115,424 across four years. Median earnings of $31,800 at six years rise to $52,343 by year ten -- a real ramp but a slow one. The 14.7-year payback period and 0.731 debt-to-earnings ratio against $23,250 of median debt mean borrowers spend over a decade earning back their investment. The 56.4% three-year repayment rate is weak -- nearly half of borrowers had not paid down any principal by year three, suggesting many graduates rely on income-driven repayment. Completion at 55.4% is mid-pack but unimpressive for a small private. The Marianist Catholic identity and small-college feel are distinctive, but Hawaii's high cost of living plus a Honolulu labor market that pays well below mainland coastal cities make the cost-versus-outcome math difficult. The University of Hawaii at Manoa, at materially lower cost, dominates Chaminade on pure ROI for any student who can attend the public flagship.
The data raises concerns about Chaminade University of Honolulu
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score31/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $30,874/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $30,874/yr |
| Average net price | $28,856/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $115,424 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,343 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $31,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $246 |
| Estimated payback period | 14.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 55.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,672 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Chaminade University of Honolulu is $30,874/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $28,856/year, or roughly $115,424 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $31,589/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $29,306/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $246 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $52,343 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.73 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
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 | $31,589 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,591 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,597 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,054 |
| $110,001+ | $29,306 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
There's a meaningful inversion to flag: families earning under $30,000 pay $31,589 -- the highest net price of any income bracket, exceeding the $30,001-$48,000 bracket ($21,591) by $10,000. This is unusual and worth questioning. It may reflect small-sample noise or unusual aid policies, but on its face the lowest-income families pay more than middle-income ones. Low-income Hawaii students should explore UH-Manoa Pell + Hawaii Promise stacking before committing to Chaminade.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $21,591 -- the lowest of any bracket, breaking the typical aid pattern. Then $48,001-$75,000 pays $25,597, $75,001-$110,000 pays $28,054. The bracket pattern after the first two brackets is normal. Middle-income families face $80K-$110K over four years; the math is tight against UH-Manoa for the same Honolulu access at substantially lower cost.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,001+ pay $29,306 -- only modestly below the listed tuition, indicating institutional aid for high-income students is small (mostly merit). At $117K over four years, this only makes sense for families committed to the Marianist setting and willing to pay for it without expecting financial value. Most high-income Hawaii families with options would be better served by UH-Manoa or a strong mainland public for the same dollars.
Earnings by Major
Top 6 most popular majors at Chaminade University of Honolulu with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $108,622 | B |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $52,720 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $56,778 | D |
| Teacher Education | $51,215 | - |
| Psychology | $51,344 | D |
| History | $38,412 | - |
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.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is Chaminade's clear standout: 92 graduates per year (the largest program), $81,125 first-year and $108,622 four-year earnings against $31,000 median debt -- a 0.382 ratio and B grade. Hawaii has chronic nursing shortages, and BSN graduates earn premium starting wages reflecting the high cost of living. The four-year earnings figure crosses six figures, which decisively justifies the price tag. For students focused on a nursing career in Hawaii, Chaminade is one of the few private options where the cost-outcome math actually works.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice (29 graduates) shows $35,300 first-year and $52,720 four-year earnings against $23,648 debt -- a 0.67 ratio and C grade. Career paths feed into HPD, federal law enforcement (Hawaii has significant federal presence due to military and immigration), and private security. The four-year ramp is solid; the debt-to-earnings is manageable. As Chaminade programs go this is the second-best ROI.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business graduates 26 students with $30,587 first-year and $56,778 four-year earnings against $25,000 debt -- a 0.817 ratio and D grade. Hawaii's labor market for general business graduates is small and competitive, dominated by tourism, government, and military-adjacent employers. Earnings recover meaningfully into year four (85% growth) but the entry-level pay is rough. Students considering this program should specialize in finance or accounting and target large local employers (Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian, Servco) early.
Psychology
Psychology (21 graduates) shows $29,445 first-year and $51,344 four-year earnings against $24,965 debt -- a 0.848 ratio and D grade. Standard undergrad-psych problem: low entry pay, weak terminal-degree outcomes, and a clear need for graduate school to reach a livable wage. Chaminade does have a graduate psychology program that some students transition into, which improves the long-run ROI for those who complete the master's pipeline.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 54.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 56.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 56.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 65.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 91.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 480-625 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 490-625 |
| Enrollment | 1,672 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 41.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,015 |
Chaminade admits 91.4% of applicants -- effectively open admission. SAT mid-50% bands are wide (Math 480-625, Reading 490-625) and ACT data is not reported. The wide test bands and very high acceptance rate signal a student body of mixed academic preparation, which correlates with the 55.4% completion rate. Prepared students who arrive committed to a specific program (especially nursing) generally finish; the broader undergraduate population shows the typical attrition pattern of low-selectivity privates.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Chaminade's most direct peer is Hawaii Pacific University, the other Honolulu private-nonprofit, which posts somewhat better outcomes thanks to a stronger international student base. Brigham Young University-Hawaii is heavily LDS-affiliated with subsidized tuition that delivers far better ROI than Chaminade despite similar isolation. Mid-America Christian, College for Creative Studies (Detroit), and University of Dubuque are mainland small privates with their own structural challenges -- the comparison is more about size than substance. Within the Hawaii market, BYU-Hawaii leads on ROI, HPU is mid-pack, and Chaminade trails -- driven primarily by Chaminade's higher net price and weaker labor-market integration.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaminade University of Honolulu (this school) | 31 | $28,856 | $52,343 |
| Brigham Young University-Hawaii | 62 | $16,774 | $52,064 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | 48 | $29,657 | $59,593 |
| University of Dubuque | 33 | $23,386 | $51,190 |
| College for Creative Studies | 30 | $34,617 | $44,860 |
| Mid-America Christian University | 30 | $16,692 | $46,116 |
Who Thrives Here
Chaminade fits Hawaii residents who specifically want a small private Catholic university and value the Marianist mission, plus mainland students drawn to Honolulu and willing to pay private tuition for the experience. Enrollment of 1,672 with a 41.3% Pell rate skews toward middle and lower-middle income. Outcomes look strongest for nursing graduates (BSN students earn $81K+ first-year), reflecting Hawaii's healthcare labor market premium driven by high cost of living and rural-island staffing pressures. Beyond nursing, the data is not encouraging. Students should compare hard against UH-Manoa where in-state tuition runs roughly $12K versus Chaminade's $31K.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Chaminade University of Honolulu. With a net cost of $28,856 per year and median graduate earnings of only $52,343 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 14.7 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $23,250 against $52,343 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.