Head-to-head · 2026
University of Hawaii at Hilo vs Windward Community College
Compare average net price ($11,856 at University of Hawaii at Hilo; $8,169 at Windward Community College), ROI score (10.09 vs 11.76), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,856 vs $38,439), and admissions context (60.6% at University of Hawaii at Hilo; Open / not reported at Windward Community College) 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 | University of Hawaii at Hilo | Windward Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.09 | 11.76 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,856 | $8,169 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $47,424 | $32,676 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,838 | $3,194 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $20,798 | $8,330 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,856 ✓ | $38,439 |
| Acceptance rate | 60.6% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 48.4% ✓ | 31.4% |
| Retention rate | 72.8% ✓ | 63.2% |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $9,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,160 | 1,159 |
| 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 | University of Hawaii at Hilo | Windward Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,983 | $6,750 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,243 | $8,123 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,535 | $9,900 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $14,734 | $10,873 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,403 | $13,794 ✓ |
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 | University of Hawaii at Hilo | Windward Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.1% | 58.4% |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 1.3% | 15.2% |
| Natural Sciences | 0.1% | 6.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Windward Community College reports the lower average net price by $3,687 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $14,748 difference over four years ($32,676 vs $47,424).
University of Hawaii at Hilo reports $9,417 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,856 vs $38,439). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 72.8% at University of Hawaii at Hilo and 63.2% at Windward Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $20,500 vs $9,500, respectively.
3 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
University of Hawaii at Hilo vs Windward Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Windward Community College is cheaper — average net price $8,169 per year vs $11,856 at University of Hawaii at Hilo. The annual difference of $3,687 adds up to about $14,748 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 $38,439 at Windward Community College. The gap in the federal data is $9,417. 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.