Best Colleges in Hawaii (2023 Rankings)

Considering pursuing higher education in Hawaii? Whether you're after an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or beyond, you've come to the right place to explore Hawaii's top colleges (in no particular order)!

Hawaii offers a surprisingly diverse collection of colleges, from major universities to tiny private colleges set right on the shoreline. So grab your sunscreen and try not to get too distracted by the waves as we set off on a breakdown of Hawaii's best colleges and what they have to offer.

University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu

In-state tuition: $12,186

Out-of-state tuition: $34,218

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 13,203 
• Acceptance rate: 84% 
• Graduation rate: 35% (4-year), 62% (6-year)

Founded in 1907, The University of Hawaii at Manoa, or UH Manoa, is both the oldest and largest university in the state. The flagship campus for the University of Hawaii system, UH Manoa offers students the chance to earn one of 99 bachelor's degrees or participate in one of 87 master's or 57 doctorate degree programs.

At UH Manoa, you'll find an incredibly diverse student body representing 128 different countries across the world. Get involved on campus with your choice of over 200 student clubs and a great NCAA Division I athletics department with 20 varsity teams.

As far as academics, UH Manoa not only offers plenty of research opportunities, but the school even has its own marine research island called Moku O Lo‘e! Whether you want to study oceanography or one of over 25 languages (including Hawaiian), UH Manoa's got a program for you.

University of Hawaii at Hilo

In-state tuition: $7,838

Out-of-state tuition: $20,798

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 2,671
• Acceptance rate: 74% 
• Graduation rate: 15% (4-year), 38% (6-year)

The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) is a public regional college with one of the most diverse student populations in the United States. Here you'll find a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class sizes of just 16 students, which makes for a more individualized college experience.

Choose from 35 undergraduate degree programs, ranging from marine science to aeronautical sciences. UH Hilo also offers a wide range of academic programs centered around Hawaiian culture, language, and heritage.

Brigham Young University, Laie

In-state tuition: $5,890

Out-of-state tuition: $5,890

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 3,180
• Acceptance rate: 75% 
• Graduation rate: 27% (4-year), 67% (6-year)

Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYU-Hawaii) is a private college affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. BYU-Hawaii offers solid academic programs, active church members are given lower tuition rates, and all students are required to attain 14 religious education credits to graduate.

If you are a member of the church in search of a solid liberal arts school, then enrollment at BYU-Hawaii is definitely worth looking into. The university offers 37 majors, 61 minors, and a stunning seaside campus on Oahu.

Chaminade University of Honolulu

In-state tuition: $26,914

Out-of-state tuition: $26,914

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 1,634 
• Acceptance rate: 89% 
• Graduation rate: 43% (4-year), 59% (6-year)

The Chaminade University of Honolulu is a private Catholic college that offers everything from associate and bachelor's degrees to doctoral programs. Located in the Honolulu neighborhood of Kaimuk, the tight-knit campus offers a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, a median class size of 16 students, and over 60 majors and minors to choose from.

Chaminade's teaching methodology will take you beyond the classroom with immersive, hands-on learning opportunities. Nursing students, for instance, participate in supervised clinical experiences, while Criminal Justice majors participate in crime scene reenactments.

University of Hawaii-West Oahu, Kapolei

In-state tuition: $7,584

Out-of-state tuition: $20,544

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 3,168
• Acceptance rate: 95% 
• Graduation rate: 16% (4-year), 39% (6-year)

The University of Hawaii-West Oahu, Kapolei has a unique teaching methodology that encourages students to explore a multidisciplinary approach to learning. While there are just nine fairly broad bachelor's degrees, you'll find 46 concentrations to choose from.

Say, for example, you decided to pursue a Humanities degree. Along the way, you could choose a concentration in Philosophy or Hawaiian-Pacific Studies.

Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu

Tuition: $29,300

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 3,800 
• Acceptance rate: 81% 
• Graduation rate: 31% (4-year), 46% (6-year)

Hawaii Pacific University is a private Honolulu college with a great reputation for diversity, veteran-friendly programs, and plenty of degree programs to choose from. You'll find 35 bachelor's degrees to choose from, as well as an impressive list of graduate degrees and online programs.

Choose from popular fields of study, such as Biomedical Engineering and Marine Biology, or enjoy the opportunity to design your own. HPU also has a great selection of sports teams, including an eSports team, which you can even score scholarships for joining!

Hawaii Community College, Hilo

In-state tuition: $3,204

Out-of-state tuition: $8,340

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 2,430 
• Acceptance rate: N/A

If you're looking for a two-year college that will prepare you for either the workplace or a four-year college, then look no further than Hawaii Community College. The small public institution offers 26 associate degree and certificate options and tends to be a particularly popular choice for part-time students.

The community college also offers a fantastic selection of vocational training programs such as Auto Body Repair And Painting, Carpentry, and Welding. With a much lower net price than many four-year colleges and plenty of financial aid options, Hawaii Community College is a great place to take your career or education to the next level.

Pacific Rim Christian University, Honolulu

Tuition: $11,900

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 123 
• Acceptance rate: 60% 

With a student population of just 123, Pacific Rim Christian University, Honolulu is just as much a family as a private university. It's designed for students looking to go into Christian ministry, so all of its degrees are geared toward that goal.

You'll even find a handful of master's degrees available in concentration like Divinity or Christian Leadership. A small but mighty niche university, Pacific Rim is a great place to hone your ministry skills amid a supportive, faith-based community.

University Of Hawaii Maui College, Kahului

In-state tuition: $3,278

Out-of-state tuition: $8,414

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 2,936 
• Open admissions

The University Of Hawaii Maui College, Kahului (UHMC) is a public institution that specializes in associate degrees and certifications, though there are two bachelor's degree programs available. Popular among part-time students, UHMC offers a wide variety of subjects to choose from, including popular choices like Culinary Arts or Electronic & Computer Engineering Technology.

UHMC also offers a nice variety of continuing education and professional development courses in everything from Computing to Green Energy. There are also a number of personal enrichment classes offered in things like Quiltmaking, Zumba, and even Kung Fu!

Hawaii colleges FAQ

Does Hawaii have good universities?

While you won't find any Ivy League universities there, many Hawaiian colleges offer an unrivaled immersion in native Polynesian culture and access to the state's diverse ecosystems. Like colleges in any other state, it's all about finding a school that offers the best program for your interests.

What is the most prestigious university in Hawaii?

UH Manoa would probably rank as Hawaii's most prestigious college, as it's one of just a handful of Land, Sea, and Space Grant Institutions in the United States.

What are the best colleges in Hawaii for criminal justice?

Chaminade University of Honolulu is a top choice for criminal justice majors because the school develops its program based on correspondence with the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. It also offers an immersive approach to learning through crime scene reenactments and internships with various agencies.

Find the perfect Hawaii school with College Rover

As you can see, Hawaiian colleges come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. So, how can you choose the right one?

That's where College Rover comes in. Our comprehensive search database takes the hassle out of filtering down your options. Compare the stats of any college that's caught your eye or discover new schools with our customizable search filters. We'll help you find the best colleges for you without having to read a single pamphlet.

College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.