Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2024

Badge for BEST IN HAWAII LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

Liberal arts colleges are a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in an intimate campus setting. The best liberal arts colleges in Hawaii offer a diverse selection of degree programs with opportunities for a highly individualized educational experience.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii

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

A liberal arts college is a school that puts a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. We’ve identified 5 liberal arts colleges in Hawaii. To be ranked among the 30 best liberal arts colleges in Hawaii, schools must fully accredited institutions.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025

  1. 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

    With top-notch and passionate instructors, students at Hawaii Pacific University report having great classroom experiences as well as hands-on learning opportunities that will introduce them to new perspectives.

    What we love about Hawaii Pacific University:

    The International Studies program tackles global politics, sustainability, and security while allowing students to be a part of programs abroad and join Model United Nations.

    Hawaii Pacific University is ideal for students who:

    Plan to pursue a career in teaching English as a second language.

    Hawaii Pacific University might not be the best fit for students who:

    Would rather stick to classroom discussions and textbook lectures.

    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. 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

    Chaminade University of Honolulu allows its students to explore a wide range of programs, as well as social and extracurricular events.

    What we love about Chaminade University of Honolulu:

    Suitable for students taking care of a family or balancing a job, the university’s Flex Online Program provides various benefits, such as monthly start dates, personalized academic counseling, and weekend classes.

    Chaminade University of Honolulu is ideal for students who:

    Would like to join research programs over their summer break.

    Chaminade University of Honolulu might not be the best fit for students who:

    Do not consider campus events and student life a priority.

    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
  3. 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

    With a small student body, Brigham Young University–Hawaii delivers excellent academic programs that are rooted in the liberal arts, ethical leadership, and spiritual growth.

    What we love about Brigham Young University–Hawaii:

    The Seasider Activities Organization organizes various events, like fitness classes, film festivals, and game nights, to bring students together and foster a sense of community.

    Brigham Young University–Hawaii is ideal for students who:

    Are looking for affordable tuition rates and various funding options.

    Brigham Young University–Hawaii might not be the best fit for students who:

    Aren’t interested in well-maintained fitness centers and gym facilities.

  4. 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

    Boasting a tight-knit student community, the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College offers an array of program pathways that lead to growth, community impact, and leadership training.

    What we love about the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College:

    Aside from associate and bachelor’s degrees, the college also offers affordable short courses that cover topics such as food innovation, healthcare, and agriculture.

    The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College is ideal for students who:

    Prefer having different meal options through on-campus restaurants.

    The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Prefer a small campus compared to UHMC’s wide array of school facilities.

    University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s Online Degrees

    BS in Applied Business And Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. 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

    With a diverse and inclusive community, the University of Hawaiʻi - West Oʻahu makes sure that its students have access to experiential learning activities paired with superb campus services.

    What we love about the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu:

    The humanities program comes with a concentration in Hawaiian-Pacific studies that tackles in-depth knowledge of Oceania, its history, culture, and some major issues it’s facing.

    The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu is ideal for students who:

    Actively help out in student organizations and campus events.

    The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu might not be the best fit for students who:

    Are looking for larger rooms for on-campus housing.

    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 Liberal Arts 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. Hawaii Pacific University
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii

Check out our directory of liberal arts colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top liberal arts schools in every state.

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