Best Colleges in Hawaii by ROI
Trying to find the best value in Hawaii? We ranked all 6 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. University of Hawaii at Manoa comes out on top at 72/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 6 Hawaii colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 55/100, on an average net price of $18,856 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is University of Hawaii at Manoa at 72/100.
Graduates of Hawaii Pacific University earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $59,593. The lightest price tag belongs to University of Hawaii-West Oahu at $10,327 a year. The list below ranks every Hawaii college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 6 Hawaii Colleges by ROI Score
- 1University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI · PublicNet price$15,664/yrMedian earnings$57,62472ROI
- 2University of Hawaii-West OahuKapolei, HI · PublicNet price$10,327/yrMedian earnings$52,07567ROI
- 3Brigham Young University-HawaiiLaie, HI · Private NonprofitNet price$16,774/yrMedian earnings$52,06462ROI
- 4Hawaii Pacific UniversityHonolulu, HI · Private NonprofitNet price$29,657/yrMedian earnings$59,59348ROI
- 5University of Hawaii at HiloHilo, HI · PublicNet price$11,856/yrMedian earnings$47,85647ROI
- 6Chaminade University of HonoluluHonolulu, HI · Private NonprofitNet price$28,856/yrMedian earnings$52,34331ROI
The best college in Hawaii, by the numbers
The University of Hawaii at Manoa (72) is the best college in Hawaii on our numbers, and it wins on balance rather than on any single stat: $15,664 a year after aid, 64% completion, and $57,624 median earnings ten years out.
UH West Oahu averages $10,327 a year after aid, and BYU-Hawaii graduates carry a median debt of $9,413. Hawaii Pacific University graduates post median earnings of $59,593, with a 35% completion rate and an average net price of $29,657 a year after aid. Completion and net price both matter, so check them alongside earnings.
In our view the Hawaii decision usually comes down to whether the student stays in the islands: compare Manoa and the other in-state options on price, completion, and earnings, and run mainland options too.
Hawaii College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in Hawaii?
University of Hawaii at Manoa has the highest ROI score in Hawaii at 72/100, while the lowest net price among Hawaii schools we track is $10,327/year at University of Hawaii-West Oahu. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in Hawaii?
The average net price across the 6 Hawaii colleges in our dataset is $18,856 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which Hawaii college has the highest graduate earnings?
Hawaii Pacific University reports the highest median earnings among Hawaii schools we scored, at $59,593 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in Hawaii did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 6 colleges in Hawaii on return on investment. Of those, 3 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All Hawaii Schools by ROI Score
6 schools
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, HI
University of Hawaii-West Oahu
Kapolei, HI
Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Laie, HI
Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu, HI
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Hilo, HI
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu, HI
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release