Best Online Colleges in Hawaii 2024
Find the best online colleges in Hawaii ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.
Top 10 Online Colleges in Hawaii
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
- Hawaii Pacific University
- Chaminade University of Honolulu
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- Hawaii Pacific University
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
- Chaminade University of Honolulu
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 96%
- Chaminade University of Honolulu 93%
- Hawaii Pacific University 87%
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 84%
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 73%
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 17 to 1
- Hawaii Pacific University 16 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
- Chaminade University of Honolulu 11 to 1
- Hawaii Pacific University $31,940
- Chaminade University of Honolulu $28,544
- 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
- Chaminade University of Honolulu $25,200
- Hawaii Pacific University $20,306
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $15,600
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $11,736
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
- Chaminade University of Honolulu
- Hawaii Pacific University
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
- Chaminade University of Honolulu
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
- Hawaii Pacific University
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 73%
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 84%
- Hawaii Pacific University 87%
- Chaminade University of Honolulu 93%
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 96%
- Chaminade University of Honolulu 11 to 1
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 12 to 1
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College 13 to 1
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 14 to 1
- Hawaii Pacific University 16 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
- Chaminade University of Honolulu $28,544
- Hawaii Pacific University $31,940
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo $11,736
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $15,600
- Hawaii Pacific University $20,306
- Chaminade University of Honolulu $25,200
Key Takeaways
- Besides offering the island lifestyle with its majestic waters, Hawaii hosts more than ten degree-granting colleges and universities that attract students worldwide.
- Hawaii has shown a higher-than-average enrollment rate than other more populous states
- In-state and out-of-state students benefit from Hawaii’s generous financial packages, with several online schools offering scholarships, grants, loans, and other financial aid programs.
Featured Programs
Accreditation: Hawaii Online Colleges and Universities
Despite its small size, Hawaii has greatly improved its college enrollment, with 59,693 traditional and online students enrolled in a program beyond high school. This number indicates a higher-than-average enrollment rate over other small states.
Accreditation is one of the most reputable ways for distance learners to evaluate their preferred online programs in a private, public, or community college. Accreditation status indicates that an online school or online program has met regional and professional standards.
It also signifies that graduates who have acquired college education are equipped with the essential knowledge and skills to succeed in the job market. Accredited online schools have more financial aid opportunities for their distance learning students.
The U.S. has the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, which facilitates the country’s six regional accrediting agencies. In Hawaii, online colleges and universities are granted regional accreditation status by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Cost of Attending Online Degree Programs in Hawaii
In-state tuition costs are lower than out-of-state tuition and fees. However, distance learners residing in a different state can benefit from tuition discounts and other academic benefits.
To enjoy in-state tuition rates, out-of-state students must have proof that they have resided in Hawaii for at least a year before the beginning of the semester. Prospective students that are also Hawaii residents can also pay in-tuition rates, provided they have complete and appropriate documentation.
Hawaii also allows Native Hawaiians, Hawaii’s University System employees, and military and veterans to enjoy in-state tuition rates.
The Western Interstate Commission of Higher Education, Western Undergraduate Exchange, and National Student Exchange make it possible for students from other states to pay in-state tuition rates in Hawaii. Distance learners pursuing any of the online programs offered and residing in the Pacific Islands with no degree-granting schools can also obtain residency in Hawaii.
Here is a quick overview of the current tuition fees in Hawaii:
- Public 4-Year Institution
- $22,012 (In-State)
- $32,043 (Out-of-State)
- Public 2-Year Institution
- $3,226 (In-State)
- $8,378 (Out-of-State)
- Private 4-Year Institution
- $32,948 (In-State)
Financial Aid Options in Hawaii
Hawaii online learners can pursue a variety of federal student aid and other financial aid programs. Grants and scholarships are some of the most desirable options since students will no longer repay them after graduating.
Like in other states, qualifying to receive financial aid starts with completing the FAFSA. The information submitted on the FAFSA helps to identify if online students meet low-income requirements to obtain financial aid, such as the Pell Grant.
No repayment is required if distance learners are eligible to receive a Pell Grant. However, graduate students aren’t eligible to receive this type of funding. Instead, scholarships and assistantships are good sources of financial assistance.
Some of the platforms to search for financial aid programs available to students in Hawaii include:
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
Best Online Colleges in Hawaii 2023
- #1 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2025
- #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
- #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 salaryOnline Degrees
BA in Economics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
Concentrations
- Human Relations in Organizations
- Social Sciences of Oceans
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing (ADN-to-BSN)
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BSW in Social Work
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #2 Best Grad Schools 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 salaryOnline Degrees
BSN in Nursing (RN to BSN)
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #2 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Hawaii 2024
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Hawaii
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Hawaii 2024
- #3 Best Online Associate in Mathematics 2025
- #9 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration Degree Programs for 2025
- #19 Best Online Associate in Business Administration
- #20 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity
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: $36,080Expenses: $19,492Starting Salary: $56,400Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Human Resource Development
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Public Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #23 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #2 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #4 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025
Other Rankings
- #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #2 Best Online Associate in Criminal Justice
- #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Hawaii 2024
- #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Hawaii 2024
- #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Hawaii
- #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Religious Studies Degree Programs for 2024
- #11 Best Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs 2025
- #12 Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts 2025
- #16 Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
- #17 Best Online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs for 2025
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
66%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Chaminade University of Honolulu
Cost of Degree: $29,970Expenses: $20,962Starting Salary: $41,000Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Education
Concentrations
- Montessori Credential
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Elementary Education for Oceania
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in English
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Historical and Political Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Religious Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Secondary Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Special Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #7 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025
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: $34,200Online Degrees
BS in Applied Business and Information Technology
- Required Credits: 121
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #4 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #6 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025
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: $41,100Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Concentrations
- General Business
- Accounting
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Management
- Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Creative Media
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Public Administration
Concentrations
- Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management
- Justice Administration
- Community Health
- General Public Administration
- Healthcare Administration
- Long-Term Care
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Social Sciences
Concentrations
- Early Childhood Education
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online