Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2025

Badge for BEST IN HAWAII PRIVATE COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
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.

Key Takeaways

  • The best private colleges in Hawaii offer a distinctive learning environment with strong connections to Hawaiian culture, history, and the natural beauty of the islands, providing a unique educational setting that appeals to students seeking a diverse cultural experience.
  • Hawaii’s private colleges often integrate sustainability into their curriculum, with programs focused on marine biology, environmental science, and conservation, appealing to students interested in ecological issues and hands-on field research.
  • Many of the best private colleges in Hawaii emphasize close-knit academic communities, offering smaller class sizes and greater opportunities for one-on-one interaction with faculty, fostering personalized learning experiences.

Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

Sort by:
  1. Hawaii Pacific University
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  1. Hawaii Pacific University
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  1. Chaminade University of Honolulu 93%
  2. Hawaii Pacific University 87%
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 34%
  1. Hawaii Pacific University 16 to 1
  2. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 15 to 1
  3. Chaminade University of Honolulu 11 to 1
  1. Hawaii Pacific University $31,940
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu $28,544
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii $6,250
  1. Chaminade University of Honolulu $25,200
  2. Hawaii Pacific University $20,306
  1. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu
  3. Hawaii Pacific University
  1. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu
  3. Hawaii Pacific University
  1. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 34%
  2. Hawaii Pacific University 87%
  3. Chaminade University of Honolulu 93%
  1. Chaminade University of Honolulu 11 to 1
  2. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 15 to 1
  3. Hawaii Pacific University 16 to 1
  1. Brigham Young University–Hawaii $6,250
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu $28,544
  3. Hawaii Pacific University $31,940
  1. Hawaii Pacific University $20,306
  2. Chaminade University of Honolulu $25,200

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

There are no changes to our ranking of the best private colleges in Hawaii for 2025. This was a result of all the schools in the ranking making similar improvements to their curriculum, internship opportunities, and other program features.

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.

Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  1. #1

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Honolulu , HI
    #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #2 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Hawaii 2024

    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: $36,080
    Expenses: $19,492
    Starting Salary: $56,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 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
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  2. #2

    Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Honolulu , HI
    #23 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #4 Best 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: $29,970
    Expenses: $20,962
    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
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  3. #3

    Brigham Young University–Hawaii

    Laie , HI
    #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #5 Best 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: $6,438
    Expenses: $19,386
    Starting Salary: $49,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 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

    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 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 private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.

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