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

How do we determine Hawaii's best colleges and universities?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

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.

Best Colleges in Hawaii 2023

#1
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Honolulu , HI
#1 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024
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
What 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

Abbas Milani
Rudolph Rummel
Robert Ballard
Michael Savage
Arfa Sayeda Zehra
Janet Mock
Margie Holmes
Marc Miyake
Daniel Inouye
Arsenio Balisacan
Neil Abercrombie
Tammy Duckworth
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
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#2
Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu , HI
#1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Hawaii 2024
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:

Social Work
Nursing
Literature
Business
Political Science
Computer Science
Biology
Criminal Justice
Earth Sciences
Communications

Most Influential Alumni

Sarah Palin
Tulsi Gabbard
Akebono Tarō
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
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#3
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu , HI
#23 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
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:

Criminal Justice
Nursing
Psychology
Business
Biology
Political Science
Education
Religious Studies
Computer Science
Communications

Most Influential Alumni

Danny Yamashiro
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
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#4
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Hilo , HI
#2 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2024
Other Rankings
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Hawaii 2024
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:

Earth Sciences
Physics
Psychology
Communications
Mathematics
Anthropology
Biology
Chemistry
Political Science
Literature

Most Influential Alumni

Sarah Palin
Tarisi Vunidilo
Alex Cabagnot
Martin B. Dickman
Ted V. Shaneyfelt
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
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#5
Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Laie , HI
#2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2024
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:

Social Work
Physics
Political Science
Anthropology
Biology
Education
Mathematics
History
Business
Communications

Most Influential Alumni

William G. Eggington
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#6
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
Kahului , HI
#3 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Hawaii
Other Rankings
- #5 Best Online Colleges in Hawaii 2024
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:

Education
Criminal Justice
Business
Medical
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s Online Degrees
BS in Applied Business And Information Technology

Required Credits: 121
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school
#7
University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
Kapolei , HI
#4 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Hawaii
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:

Sociology
Political Science
Education
Criminal Justice
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
Compare school

Build your own college ranking

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.

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Best Colleges in Hawaii 2024