Head-to-head · 2026
Hawaii Pacific University vs University of Hawaii at Hilo
Compare average net price ($29,657 at Hawaii Pacific University; $11,856 at University of Hawaii at Hilo), ROI score (5.02 vs 10.09), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,593 vs $47,856), and admissions selectivity (85.9% acceptance at Hawaii Pacific University; 60.6% at University of Hawaii at Hilo) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Hawaii Pacific University | University of Hawaii at Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 5.02 | 10.09 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $29,657 | $11,856 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $118,628 | $47,424 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $34,392 | $7,838 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $34,392 | $20,798 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,593 ✓ | $47,856 |
| Acceptance rate | 85.9% | 60.6% |
| Graduation rate | 34.9% | 48.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 56.5% | 72.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $22,000 | $20,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,392 | 2,160 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1111 | 1028 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Hawaii Pacific University | University of Hawaii at Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $25,758 | $8,983 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $24,413 | $9,243 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $28,979 | $11,535 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $30,450 | $14,734 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $33,540 | $17,403 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Hawaii Pacific University | University of Hawaii at Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 17.6% | 7.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.3% | 11.4% |
| Psychology, General | 4.7% | 7.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.9% | 2.7% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.1% | 6% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5.2% | 2.4% |
| Biology, General | 3.2% | 3.8% |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 3.2% | 3.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Hawaii at Hilo reports the lower average net price by $17,801 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $71,204 difference over four years ($47,424 vs $118,628).
Hawaii Pacific University reports $11,737 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($59,593 vs $47,856). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 56.5% at Hawaii Pacific University and 72.8% at University of Hawaii at Hilo. Median federal debt among completers is $22,000 vs $20,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Hawaii Pacific University vs University of Hawaii at Hilo, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Hawaii at Hilo is cheaper — average net price $11,856 per year vs $29,657 at Hawaii Pacific University. The annual difference of $17,801 adds up to about $71,204 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Hawaii Pacific University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $59,593 vs $47,856 at University of Hawaii at Hilo. The gap in the federal data is $11,737. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Hawaii at Hilo is more selective at 60.6% acceptance vs 85.9% at Hawaii Pacific University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.