At $7,636/yr net price, Leeward Community College graduates earn $39,899/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,899/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,636 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $30,544 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,899/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,899/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 31.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,970 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,457/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,508/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,703/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,457/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,110/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $37,208 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $32,563 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $28,598 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $26,739 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $22,999 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $22,290 | $9,270 |
The Risk Factor
31.6% of students at Leeward Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Leeward Community College keeps costs low and debt lower, which softens the risk of a weak payoff. You borrow a median of under $9,000 to attend, and net price sits below $8,000 a year. That's the good part. The problem is what comes after: median earnings ten years out land near $40,000, and only about a third of students finish.
Your program choice matters more here than at most schools because the spread is wide. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair pays the best of any listed program, and Culinary Arts follows. Both are hands-on associate degrees that map to Hawaii's tourism and service economy, where mechanics and kitchen work stay in demand. Business Administration sits at the bottom near $23,000, and Teacher Education and Accounting don't do much better. If you're picking a major purely on money, the automotive and culinary tracks are the clear winners, and the business associate is the one to think twice about.
The biggest financial risk is the graduation rate. Two out of three students don't finish, and if you leave with debt and no credential, the low cost stops helping you. The degrees that pay are the technical ones, so the risk climbs if you enroll in a general track and drift.
The net price tiers stay tight across incomes. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay around $6,500. if you're over $110,000, you pay about $12,100. Even the top tier stays affordable compared to four-year schools, so this works as a low-cost start for families at any income.
This school fits you if you want a technical associate degree, plan to finish, and want to keep debt small. Look elsewhere if you're aiming for a bachelor's-level salary and won't transfer, since the earnings here top out modestly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leeward Community College worth the cost?
Leeward Community College offers decent value with low costs ($7,636 annually) and manageable debt ($8,970 median). However, the 32% graduation rate is concerning, and average earnings of $39,899 after 10 years are modest for Hawaii's high cost of living.
What are the best paying programs at Leeward Community College?
Vehicle maintenance and repair technologies leads with $37,208 median earnings, followed by culinary arts at $32,563. Most other programs, including business administration, produce earnings below $30,000.
How much student debt do Leeward Community College graduates have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $8,970, which is relatively low for higher education. The affordable tuition helps keep borrowing minimal compared to four-year institutions.
What is the graduation rate at Leeward Community College?
Only 32% of students graduate from Leeward Community College. This low completion rate means many students may accumulate debt without earning a credential.