Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024
Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in Hawaii provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.
Best Public Colleges in Hawaii
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 96%
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 84%
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 73%
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 17 to 1
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 14 to 1
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College 13 to 1
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 12 to 1
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $11,304
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $7,344
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu $7,344
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College $3,144
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $15,600
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $11,736
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 73%
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 84%
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 96%
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 12 to 1
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College 13 to 1
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 14 to 1
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 17 to 1
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College $3,144
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $7,344
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu $7,344
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $11,304
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $11,736
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $15,600
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?
- 2 Research Universities
- 5 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 2 Graduate Schools
- 4 Public Colleges & Universities
- 3 Private Colleges & Universities
- 5 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 6 Community Colleges
- 6 Online Colleges
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.
This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 4 public universities in Hawaii. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in Hawaii, schools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.
Public colleges in Hawaii also offer some of the best online MBA programs. For students who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree in business in Hawaii, check out our ranking.
Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2023
- #1 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2025 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2025
Other Rankings
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #11 Best Colleges and Universities for Economics Degrees 2025
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Hawaii 2024
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Hawaii 2024
- #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Hawaii
- #3 Best Online Bachelor’s of Gender Studies Degree Programs for 2025
- #3 Best Online Bachelor's of Economics Degree Programs for 2024
- #6 Best Online Master’s in Executive MBA
- #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Social Work Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
- #7 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs for 2024
- #8 Best Online Master's in Kinesiology Degree Programs
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: $12,186Expenses: $20,145Starting Salary: $51,800Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
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 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #2 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2025 #3 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025
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: $7,838Expenses: $13,584Starting Salary: $41,800Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #7 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Hawaii
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
27%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
Cost of Degree: $3,284Starting Salary: $34,200What 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
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #6 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #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: $7,584Starting Salary: $41,100What 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
Hawaii’s Best Public College 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.
Check out our directory of public colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top public colleges in every state.