Head-to-head · 2026
University of Hawaii at Manoa vs University of Hawaii-West Oahu
Compare average net price ($15,664 at University of Hawaii at Manoa; $10,327 at University of Hawaii-West Oahu), ROI score (9.20 vs 12.61), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($57,624 vs $52,075), and admissions selectivity (86.6% acceptance at University of Hawaii at Manoa; 95.3% at University of Hawaii-West Oahu) 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 Manoa | University of Hawaii-West Oahu |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.20 | 12.61 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $15,664 | $10,327 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $62,656 | $41,308 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $12,186 | $7,584 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $34,218 | $20,544 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $57,624 ✓ | $52,075 |
| Acceptance rate | 86.6% | 95.3% |
| Graduation rate | 64.3% ✓ | 49.6% |
| Retention rate | 80.7% ✓ | 78% |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $14,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 15,029 | 2,519 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1102 | 985 |
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 Manoa | University of Hawaii-West Oahu |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,675 | $7,674 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,246 | $7,077 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,469 | $10,247 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,760 | $13,155 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $22,562 | $17,718 ✓ |
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 Manoa | University of Hawaii-West Oahu |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.5% | 37.4% |
| Public Administration | 0.6% | 17.8% |
| Graphic Communications | 1.4% | 6.6% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.9% | 3.9% |
| Education, General | 0.4% | 4.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Hawaii-West Oahu reports the lower average net price by $5,337 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $21,348 difference over four years ($41,308 vs $62,656).
University of Hawaii at Manoa reports $5,549 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($57,624 vs $52,075). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 80.7% at University of Hawaii at Manoa and 78% at University of Hawaii-West Oahu. Median federal debt among completers is $18,500 vs $14,500, 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
University of Hawaii at Manoa vs University of Hawaii-West Oahu, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Hawaii-West Oahu is cheaper — average net price $10,327 per year vs $15,664 at University of Hawaii at Manoa. The annual difference of $5,337 adds up to about $21,348 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Hawaii at Manoa reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $57,624 vs $52,075 at University of Hawaii-West Oahu. The gap in the federal data is $5,549. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Hawaii at Manoa is more selective at 86.6% acceptance vs 95.3% at University of Hawaii-West Oahu.
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.