Best Colleges in Hawaii 2024

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Here are the best colleges and universities in Hawaii. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

Best Colleges in Hawaii

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  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  2. Hawaii Pacific University
  3. Chaminade University of Honolulu
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  5. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  6. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
  7. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  2. Hawaii Pacific University
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  4. Chaminade University of Honolulu
  5. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  6. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
  7. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
  1. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 96%
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu 93%
  3. Hawaii Pacific University 87%
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 84%
  5. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 73%
  6. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 34%
  1. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 17 to 1
  2. Hawaii Pacific University 16 to 1
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 15 to 1
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 14 to 1
  5. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College 13 to 1
  6. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 12 to 1
  7. Chaminade University of Honolulu 11 to 1
  1. Hawaii Pacific University $31,940
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu $28,544
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $11,304
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $7,344
  5. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu $7,344
  6. Brigham Young University–Hawaii $6,250
  7. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College $3,144
  1. Chaminade University of Honolulu $25,200
  2. Hawaii Pacific University $20,306
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $15,600
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $11,736
  1. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
  2. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  5. Chaminade University of Honolulu
  6. Hawaii Pacific University
  7. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  1. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
  2. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  4. Chaminade University of Honolulu
  5. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  6. Hawaii Pacific University
  7. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  1. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 34%
  2. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 73%
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 84%
  4. Hawaii Pacific University 87%
  5. Chaminade University of Honolulu 93%
  6. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 96%
  1. Chaminade University of Honolulu 11 to 1
  2. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 12 to 1
  3. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College 13 to 1
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 14 to 1
  5. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 15 to 1
  6. Hawaii Pacific University 16 to 1
  7. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 17 to 1
  1. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College $3,144
  2. Brigham Young University–Hawaii $6,250
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $7,344
  4. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu $7,344
  5. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $11,304
  6. Chaminade University of Honolulu $28,544
  7. Hawaii Pacific University $31,940
  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $11,736
  2. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $15,600
  3. Hawaii Pacific University $20,306
  4. Chaminade University of Honolulu $25,200

Colleges and Universities in Hawaiʻi

The majority of the universities and colleges in The Aloha State are public institutions, including Hawaiʻi’s largest school, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The nearly 15,000 students who attend this school pay tuition fees around $12,000. Students attending public colleges can choose between a wide range of on campus and online degree programs.

It’s also worth noting that you can receive in-state tuition discount rates for attending a public college in Hawaii, whether you enroll through a traditional or online degree program.

Hawaiʻi also offers several private school options, including two which have religious affiliations. While tuition at these private schools varies, from $6,000 at Brigham Young University Hawaiʻi to $26,000 at Hawaiʻi Pacific University, each serves between 2,000-3,000 students.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Students who attend both brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Hawaii have the option to major in fields like biology, education, history, criminal justice, physics, and many others. However, students who graduate with degrees in the health care field have an extra advantage. Hawaiʻi offers a student loan forgiveness-based financial aid program for health care workers who work at designated, high-need locations within the state for at least two years.

So, even though Hawaiʻi comes in just above the national average for tuition costs, if you are considering a career in health care, this may be the place for you.

Some dream of vacationing in paradise - but why not take it a step further and live there? Students attending school in Hawaiʻi won’t have to say aloha, or goodbye, to the beautiful white sand beaches, perfect waves, and tropical drinks. Both traditional and online students can enroll in one of Hawaiʻi’s 15 higher education institutes and live their best life in these picturesque island communities.

For more information on obtaining your degree in Hawaiʻi, explore some of the top programs and schools this state has to offer.


What are Hawaiʻi’s Colleges & Universities?

Hawaiʻi’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

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We’ve identified 7 colleges and universities in Hawaii that meet our criteria. This list of the top colleges in Hawaii below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Hawaii.

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Best Colleges in Hawaii 2023

  1. Other Rankings

    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: $12,186
    Expenses: $18,145
    Starting Salary: $51,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    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
  2. Other Rankings

    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: $31,940
    Expenses: $18,878
    Starting Salary: $56,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Hawaii Pacific University known for?

    Hawaii Pacific University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    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
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $29K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Cost of Degree: $28,544
    Expenses: $19,890
    Starting Salary: $41,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Chaminade University of Honolulu known for?

    Chaminade University of Honolulu’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    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
  4. Other Rankings

    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: $7,838
    Expenses: $13,502
    Starting Salary: $41,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo known for?

    University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    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
  5. 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: $6,250
    Expenses: $16,857
    Starting Salary: $49,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Brigham Young University–Hawaii known for?

    Brigham Young University–Hawaii’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi Maui College

    Cost of Degree: $3,284
    Starting Salary: $34,200
    What 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
  7. Other Rankings

    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: $7,584
    Starting Salary: $41,100
    What 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
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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.

  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  2. Hawaii Pacific University
  3. Chaminade University of Honolulu
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  5. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
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