Best Colleges in Hawaii 2026
Here are the best colleges and universities in Hawaii. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.
Key Takeaways
- Many top colleges in Hawaii integrate Hawaiian culture, language, and history into their curriculum, offering students the chance to study Indigenous perspectives and the cultural heritage of the islands, fostering a rich educational experience in fields like anthropology, history, and cultural studies.
- Hawaii’s natural environment, including its beaches, volcanoes, and rainforests, offers students abundant opportunities for outdoor and experiential learning, with programs focusing on sustainability, conservation, and ecotourism that make the most of the state’s unique geography.
- Colleges in Hawaii unparalleled access to the Pacific Ocean and diverse ecosystems, providing students with hands-on research opportunities in marine biology, oceanography, and environmental science, leveraging Hawaii’s unique location.
Best Colleges in Hawaii in 2026
Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges
Choosing among the best colleges in Hawaii requires more than a scenic photo—this list highlights institutions that offer accredited bachelor’s degrees and that we consider strongest for undergraduate study across public and private sectors. Use the linked results to see the full set: 7 colleges and universities in Hawaii that meet our criteria.
This guide focuses on what matters for prospective undergraduates: program breadth, campus environment, transfer and career preparation, and fit for students seeking a mainland-like research experience versus those preferring small, teaching-focused campuses. Read on for concise profiles and practical distinctions to help you narrow choices for applications, visits, and financial planning.
Best Colleges in Hawaii
- #1 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2026 #1 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #1 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2025
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
62%
Student body
22K
Median SAT/ACT
1180/21
Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Cost of Degree: $12,186Expenses: $20,145Starting Salary: $51,800Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa known for?
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Anthropology
- Political Science
- Biology
- Physics
- Law
- Communications
- Education
- Sociology
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Online Degrees
BA in Economics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Human Relations In Organizations
- Social Sciences Of Oceans
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSW in Social Work
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Women'S, Gender, And Sexuality Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #1 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Hawaii 2026
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
45%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1150/23
Career Outlook for degree at Hawaii Pacific University
Cost of Degree: $36,080Expenses: $19,492Starting Salary: $56,400Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Hawaii Pacific University known for?
Hawaii Pacific University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Nursing
- Literature
- Business
- Political Science
- Computer Science
- Biology
- Criminal Justice
- Earth Sciences
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
Hawaii Pacific University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Human Resource Development
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Public Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2026 #2 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #2 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2025
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
42%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1080/18
Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Cost of Degree: $7,838Expenses: $13,584Starting Salary: $41,800Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo known for?
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Physics
- Psychology
- Communications
- Mathematics
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Political Science
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #23 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #2 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
66%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Chaminade University of Honolulu
Cost of Degree: $29,970Expenses: $20,962Starting Salary: $41,000Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Chaminade University of Honolulu known for?
Chaminade University of Honolulu’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Business
- Biology
- Political Science
- Education
- Religious Studies
- Computer Science
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
Chaminade University of Honolulu’s Online Degrees
BA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminology And Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Education
Degree Concentrations
- Montessori Credential
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Elementary Education For Oceania
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Secondary Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Special Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in English
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Historical And Political Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Religious Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #3 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2025
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
34%
Graduation
66%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1129/22
Career Outlook for degree at Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Cost of Degree: $6,438Expenses: $19,386Starting Salary: $49,100Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Brigham Young University–Hawaii known for?
Brigham Young University–Hawaii’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Physics
- Political Science
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Education
- Mathematics
- History
- Business
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Hawaii
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
33%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1110/19
Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
Cost of Degree: $7,584Starting Salary: $41,100What is University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu known for?
University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- General Business
- Accounting
- Hospitality And Tourism
- Management
- Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Public Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Disaster Preparedness And Emergency Management
- Justice Administration
- Community Health
- General Public Administration
- Healthcare Administration
- Long-Term Care
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Social Sciences
Degree Concentrations
- Early Childhood Education
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2026 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Hawaii
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
27%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
Cost of Degree: $3,284Starting Salary: $34,200What is University of Hawaiʻi Maui College known for?
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s Online Degrees
BS in Applied Business And Information Technology
- Required Credits: 121
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Hawaii’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.
