Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2023

BEST IN HAWAII PRIVATE COLLEGES
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Hawaii.

Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

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  1. Hawaii Pacific University
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  1. Chaminade University of Honolulu 90%
  2. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 88%
  3. Hawaii Pacific University 85%
  1. Hawaii Pacific University 16 to 1
  2. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 16 to 1
  3. Chaminade University of Honolulu 10 to 1
  1. Hawaii Pacific University $30,020
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu $27,454
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii $6,068
  1. Chaminade University of Honolulu $27,720
  2. Hawaii Pacific University $20,250
  1. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu
  3. Hawaii Pacific University
  1. Hawaii Pacific University 85%
  2. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 88%
  3. Chaminade University of Honolulu 90%
  1. Chaminade University of Honolulu 10 to 1
  2. Hawaii Pacific University 16 to 1
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 16 to 1
  1. Brigham Young University–Hawaii $6,068
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu $27,454
  3. Hawaii Pacific University $30,020
  1. Hawaii Pacific University $20,250
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu $27,720

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

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

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This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 3 private universities in Hawaii. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in Hawaii, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.

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Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  1. #1

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Honolulu , HI
    #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2023 #2 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2023 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Hawaii 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/20

    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
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  2. #2

    Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Honolulu , HI
    #23 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2023 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2023 #3 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2023 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $27K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1050/20

    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
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  3. #3

    Brigham Young University–Hawaii

    Laie , HI
    #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2023 #5 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1155/23

    What is Brigham Young University–Hawaii known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
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Hawaii’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest

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2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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 private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.

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