Head-to-head · 2026
University of Hawaii at Manoa vs Windward Community College
Compare average net price ($15,664 at University of Hawaii at Manoa; $8,169 at Windward Community College), ROI score (9.20 vs 11.76), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($57,624 vs $38,439), and admissions context (86.6% at University of Hawaii at Manoa; 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 Manoa | Windward Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.20 | 11.76 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $15,664 | $8,169 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $62,656 | $32,676 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $12,186 | $3,194 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $34,218 | $8,330 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $57,624 ✓ | $38,439 |
| Acceptance rate | 86.6% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 64.3% ✓ | 31.4% |
| Retention rate | 80.7% ✓ | 63.2% |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $9,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 15,029 | 1,159 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 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 | University of Hawaii at Manoa | Windward Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,675 | $6,750 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,246 | $8,123 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,469 | $9,900 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,760 | $10,873 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $22,562 | $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 Manoa | Windward Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.9% | 58.4% |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 1.6% | 15.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Windward Community College reports the lower average net price by $7,495 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $29,980 difference over four years ($32,676 vs $62,656).
University of Hawaii at Manoa reports $19,185 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($57,624 vs $38,439). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 80.7% at University of Hawaii at Manoa and 63.2% at Windward Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $18,500 vs $9,500, respectively.
2 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
University of Hawaii at Manoa 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 $15,664 at University of Hawaii at Manoa. The annual difference of $7,495 adds up to about $29,980 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 $38,439 at Windward Community College. The gap in the federal data is $19,185. 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.