Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Brigham Young University-Hawaii — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Brigham Young University-Hawaii at a Glance
Brigham Young University–Hawaii (BYU–Hawaii) is a private college in Lāʻie, Hawaii, United States. It is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU–Hawaii was founded in 1955 and it became a satellite campus of Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1974. In 2004, it was made a separate institution. The college's sole focus is on undergraduate education.
1955
71 years old
2,836
127
100 acres
Identity
Is Brigham Young University-Hawaii Worth It?
Brigham Young University-Hawaii offers moderate value at $16,774/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $52,064, which is 3% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Median student debt of $9,413 is manageable at just 18% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
How Brigham Young University-Hawaii compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #3 of 31 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bob Jones University | 45 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| #2 | St. Francis College | 43 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
| #3 | Brigham Young University-Hawaii | 42 | $16,774 | $52,064 |
| #4 | Walla Walla University | 41 | $23,329 | $61,885 |
| #5 | Ohio Wesleyan University | 40 | $20,897 | $55,624 |
| #6 | Olivet Nazarene University | 39 | $20,729 | $53,213 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Brigham Young University-Hawaii's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Brigham Young University-Hawaii
The highest-earning program at Brigham Young University-Hawaii is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $38,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis at $19,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Brigham Young University-Hawaii earns $38,600, while a Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis graduate earns $19,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $11,358 in median debt vs. $8,500 for Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,774/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,600 | $38,600 | $11,358 |
| Psychology, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $9,810 |
| Leisure and Recreational Activities | $21,200 | $21,200 | $9,718 |
| Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis | $19,600 | $19,600 | $8,500 |
Similar Colleges in HI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Laie, HI
- Student Body
- 2,889 students
- Admission Rate
- 47%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,774
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,064
- Median Student Debt
- $9,413