Hawaii Pacific University
Hawaii Pacific University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Hawaii Pacific University Worth It?
At a value score of 19/100, Hawaii Pacific University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $59,593 — 11% above average — while paying $29,657/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 38% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Hawaii Pacific University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Hawaii Pacific University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #139 of 145 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #6 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #139 | Hawaii Pacific University | 19 | $29,657 | $59,593 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Hawaii Pacific University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in HI.
Best Programs at Hawaii Pacific University
The highest-earning program at Hawaii Pacific University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $64,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at $18,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Hawaii Pacific University earns $64,100, while a Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology graduate earns $18,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $28,871 in median debt vs. $22,500 for Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,657/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,100 | $64,100 | $28,871 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,300 | $38,300 | $20,500 |
| Psychology, General | $29,100 | $29,100 | $24,125 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $18,100 | $18,100 | $22,500 |
Similar Colleges in HI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Honolulu, HI
- Student Body
- 2,392 students
- Admission Rate
- 86%
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,657
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,593
- Median Student Debt
- $22,000