Best Colleges in Hawaii

We’ve ranked the best colleges in Hawaii to help you find a school that matches with your academic and career interests.
Lorraine Mumby
By
Updated July 6, 2023
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Hawaii’s beaches and island lifestyle attract people from around the world, but colleges in Hawaii have given students another reason to make the trip. Featuring more than two dozen colleges and universities, including some of the top schools in the country, Hawaii offers a blend of public and private two-year and four-year institutions.

Hawaii has made great strides toward improving educational outcomes in the state, with 46% of adults holding a college degree as of 2019 — approaching the state’s goal of 55% by 2025. Given its relatively small size, Hawaii residents and visiting students may not have the most schools to choose from, but there are several high-quality options. We ranked the best colleges in Hawaii to help degree-seekers find a school and program that fits their needs.

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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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Best Accredited Colleges in Hawaii

#1

University of Hawaii-West Oahu

Kapolei, HI4 yearCampus + Online

$7,344

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$20,304

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

96%

Acceptance Rate

96%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

69%

Students Enrolled

2,913

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,344

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,304

Kapolei, HI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,344

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,304

Acceptance Rate

96%

Online Enrollment

96%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

69%

Students Enrolled

2,913

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#2

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, HI4 yearCampus + Online

$11,304

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,336

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

73%

Acceptance Rate

14%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,600

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,648

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

19,074

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,304

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,336

Honolulu, HI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,304

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,336

Acceptance Rate

73%

Online Enrollment

14%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,600

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,648

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

19,074

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#3

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Honolulu, HI4 yearCampus + Online

$28,430

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,430

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

93%

Acceptance Rate

67%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,200

Retention Rate

71%

Students Enrolled

1,892

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,430

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,430

Honolulu, HI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,430

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,430

Acceptance Rate

93%

Online Enrollment

67%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,200

Retention Rate

71%

Students Enrolled

1,892

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#4

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Hilo, HI4 yearCampus

$7,344

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$20,304

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

84%

Acceptance Rate

83%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,736

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,568

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

2,977

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,344

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,304

Hilo, HI4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,344

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,304

Acceptance Rate

84%

Online Enrollment

83%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,736

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,568

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

2,977

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Top Degree Programs in Hawaii

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