Head-to-head · 2026
Kapiolani Community College vs University of Hawaii at Hilo
Compare average net price ($5,202 at Kapiolani Community College; $11,856 at University of Hawaii at Hilo), ROI score (21.43 vs 10.09), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,599 vs $47,856), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Kapiolani Community College; 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 | Kapiolani Community College | University of Hawaii at Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 21.43 ✓ | 10.09 |
| Avg net price | $5,202 ✓ | $11,856 |
| 4-year avg net price | $20,808 ✓ | $47,424 |
| In-state tuition | $3,284 | $7,838 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,420 | $20,798 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,599 | $47,856 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 60.6% |
| Graduation rate | 22.2% | 48.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 63.1% | 72.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,229 ✓ | $20,500 |
| Enrollment | 3,910 | 2,160 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 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 | Kapiolani Community College | University of Hawaii at Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,068 ✓ | $8,983 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,369 ✓ | $9,243 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,367 ✓ | $11,535 |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,820 ✓ | $14,734 |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,591 ✓ | $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 | Kapiolani Community College | University of Hawaii at Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 44.9% | 0.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5% | 7.7% |
| Natural Sciences | 6.3% | 0.1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.6% | 1.9% |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 1% | 1.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Kapiolani Community College reports the lower average net price by $6,654 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $26,616 difference over four years ($20,808 vs $47,424).
University of Hawaii at Hilo reports $3,257 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,856 vs $44,599). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.1% at Kapiolani Community College and 72.8% at University of Hawaii at Hilo. Median federal debt among completers is $9,229 vs $20,500, respectively.
5 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.
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Frequently asked
Kapiolani Community College vs University of Hawaii at Hilo, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Kapiolani Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,202 per year vs $11,856 at University of Hawaii at Hilo. The annual difference of $6,654 adds up to about $26,616 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Hawaii at Hilo reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,856 vs $44,599 at Kapiolani Community College. The gap in the federal data is $3,257. This is not major-specific earnings.
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.