Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2024

Badge for MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGES IN HAWAII
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Hawaii. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.

Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2024

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  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  2. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  4. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
  5. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  2. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  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. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 84%
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 73%
  4. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 34%
  1. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 17 to 1
  2. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 15 to 1
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 14 to 1
  4. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College 13 to 1
  5. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 12 to 1
  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $11,304
  2. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu $7,344
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $7,344
  4. Brigham Young University–Hawaii $6,250
  5. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College $3,144
  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $15,600
  2. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $11,736
  1. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
  2. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  5. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  1. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
  2. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  5. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  1. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 34%
  2. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 73%
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 84%
  4. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 96%
  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 12 to 1
  2. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College 13 to 1
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 14 to 1
  4. Brigham Young University–Hawaii 15 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. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $7,344
  5. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $11,304
  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $11,736
  2. 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?

Hawaiʻi’s Best Overall

Hawaii's Most Affordable Colleges and Universities Badge
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There are 5 colleges and universities in Hawaii with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Hawaii is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.

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Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2023

These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.

  1. #1

    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

    Honolulu , HI
    #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools 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:

    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
    Compare school
  2. #2

    University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

    Hilo , HI
    #2 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2024 #4 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2024
    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: $7,838
    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:

    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
    Compare school
  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 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #5 Best 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:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    University of Hawaiʻi Maui College

    Kahului , HI
    #3 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #6 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #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: $3,284
    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:

    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
  5. #5

    University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu

    Kapolei , HI
    #4 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #7 Best 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:

    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
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Hawaii’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest

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2021 Ranking Archive
  1. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
  2. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  3. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  5. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
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