Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Hawaii-West Oahu #647 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,630 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Hawaii-West Oahu in the 46.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Hawaii-West Oahu #705 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Hawaii-West Oahu #647 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Kapolei, Hawaii, University of Hawaii-West Oahu enrolls roughly 2,519 undergraduates. The institution enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 32.1% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 42.5% identifying as first-generation college students. University of Hawaii-West Oahu delivers solid long-term outcomes anchored in return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Hawaii-West Oahu #1197 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,969, and University of Hawaii-West Oahu earn about $2,630 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 46.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio is anchored in Business, which aligns with strong regional employer demand and contributes to the institution's competitive earnings profile. Access and affordability round out the composite. University of Hawaii-West Oahu sits in the 40.0 percentile for access and the 95.5 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a regional public master's institution with broad enrollment reach, University of Hawaii-West Oahu provides a pathway to degree completion and workforce entry for students across Hawaii's diverse communities, with outcomes that reflect meaningful economic value relative to the no-degree baseline in the state.
University of Hawaii–West Oahu's published cost of attendance is $18,410. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $7,674, middle-income families pay around $10,247, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,718. Azimuth ranks University of Hawaii-West Oahu #65 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a public regional institution, University of Hawaii–West Oahu's pricing reflects Hawaii's higher cost of living and the university's public-tuition structure. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. The institution participates in federal need-based aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, and applicants complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $14,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,507; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,969, median federal debt of $14,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $164 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Hawaii-West Oahu is a strong fit for students seeking a public university experience in Hawaii with a focus on business and applied fields. Its location in Kapolei provides access to local employer networks while offering a more affordable option than Oahu's private institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,969, placing University of Hawaii-West Oahu in the 13.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,630 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 46.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university serves 32.1% of undergraduates with Pell Grants and 42.5% who are first-generation students, reflecting its commitment to access. Published cost of attendance is $17,718, with need-based aid available to reduce net price for qualifying students. Fit depends on alignment with the university's business-focused program mix (37% of degrees in Business) and Hawaii's regional labor market. Students interested in these applied fields will find the strongest outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the University Of Hawaii-West Oahu hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Hawaii–West Oahu's published cost of attendance is $18,410. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $7,674, middle-income families pay around $10,247, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,718.
Azimuth ranks University of Hawaii-West Oahu #65 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a public regional institution, University of Hawaii–West Oahu's pricing reflects Hawaii's higher cost of living and the university's public-tuition structure.
Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. The institution participates in federal need-based aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, and applicants complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $14,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,507; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,969, median federal debt of $14,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $164 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Hawaii-West Oahu earn median 4-year earnings of $53,969, placing the institution in the 13.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Hawaii-West Oahu sits in the 46.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Hawaii-West Oahu #1197 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on business and hospitality-related programs.
Business Administration is the largest program with 276 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $56,227, performing at 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Social Sciences program graduates 136 students with median 4-year earnings of $41,536, and Public Administration produces 131 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $53,891.
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
79 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
276 graduates
Education, General
32 graduates
Public Administration
131 graduates
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
29 graduates
University of Hawaii-West Oahu's program mix centers on business and applied professional fields, reflecting its identity as a public comprehensive institution serving Hawaii's workforce. Business Administration is the largest program with 276 graduates, followed by Social Sciences, Public Administration, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Graphic Communications.
Across 7 programs serving roughly 732 students annually, the institution concentrates its degree output in fields aligned with Hawaii's regional labor market and professional-services demand. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied business and management fields.
Interdisciplinary Studies graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $69,931 with 79 graduates, while Business Administration delivers median earnings of $56,227 across 276 graduates. Education, General and Public Administration follow with median 4-year earnings of $54,648 and $53,891 respectively, signaling consistent earnings strength across the institution's core business-oriented portfolio.
The program portfolio reflects Hawaii-West Oahu's regional mission: preparing graduates for direct entry into Hawaii's professional workforce in business administration, accounting, and applied management fields. Most programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the labor market directly, with earnings reflecting immediate workforce outcomes in Hawaii's service, hospitality, and professional-services sectors.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with regional labor-market conditions and wage trends in Hawaii.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winthrop University Similar quality tier (#21378 ranked) | SC | 79% | $47,185 | #21378 | Compare |
Texas A&M University-Texarkana Similar quality tier (#21368 ranked) | TX | 64% | $45,515 | #21368 | Compare |
Shepherd University Similar quality tier (#21413 ranked) | WV | 97% | $49,358 | #21413 | Compare |
Northern Michigan University Similar quality tier (#21358 ranked) | MI | 84% | $47,107 | #21358 | Compare |
Auburn University At Montgomery Similar quality tier (#20825 ranked) | AL | 92% | $44,391 | #20825 | Compare |
