Head-to-head · 2026
Hawaii Pacific University vs University of Hawaii at Manoa
Compare average net price ($29,657 at Hawaii Pacific University; $15,664 at University of Hawaii at Manoa), ROI score (5.02 vs 9.20), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,593 vs $57,624), and admissions selectivity (85.9% acceptance at Hawaii Pacific University; 86.6% at University of Hawaii at Manoa) 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 Manoa |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 5.02 | 9.20 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $29,657 | $15,664 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $118,628 | $62,656 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $34,392 | $12,186 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $34,392 | $34,218 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,593 ✓ | $57,624 |
| Acceptance rate | 85.9% | 86.6% |
| Graduation rate | 34.9% | 64.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 56.5% | 80.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $22,000 | $18,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,392 | 15,029 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1111 | 1102 |
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 Manoa |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $25,758 | $10,675 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $24,413 | $12,246 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $28,979 | $14,469 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $30,450 | $18,760 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $33,540 | $22,562 ✓ |
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 Manoa |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 17.6% | 3.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.3% | 4.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.9% | 3.7% |
| Psychology, General | 4.7% | 4.7% |
| Social Work | 4.1% | 2.9% |
| Biology, General | 3.2% | 3% |
| Computer Science | 3% | 2.2% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 4.3% | 0.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Hawaii at Manoa reports the lower average net price by $13,993 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $55,972 difference over four years ($62,656 vs $118,628).
Hawaii Pacific University reports $1,969 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($59,593 vs $57,624). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 56.5% at Hawaii Pacific University and 80.7% at University of Hawaii at Manoa. Median federal debt among completers is $22,000 vs $18,500, 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 Manoa, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Hawaii at Manoa is cheaper — average net price $15,664 per year vs $29,657 at Hawaii Pacific University. The annual difference of $13,993 adds up to about $55,972 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Hawaii Pacific University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $59,593 vs $57,624 at University of Hawaii at Manoa. The gap in the federal data is $1,969. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Hawaii Pacific University is more selective at 85.9% acceptance vs 86.6% at University of Hawaii at Manoa.
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.