Best Colleges in Hawaii

All 15 colleges in Hawaii, ranked by overall quality and led by University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii Tokai International College and Chaminade University of Honolulu. 9 public, 6 private. median out-of-state tuition $13,580. lowest in-state tuition $3,174 at Honolulu Community College. Each school below shows its acceptance rate, tuition and average SAT.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best college in Hawaii?

Based on our overall rankings, University of Hawaii at Manoa is the top-ranked college in Hawaii. Other strong choices include Hawaii Tokai International College, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

How many colleges are in Hawaii?

We track 15 four-year colleges in Hawaii, including 9 public institutions and 6 private ones.

How much does college cost in Hawaii?

The average out-of-state tuition across colleges we track in Hawaii is approximately $13,580 per year. In-state students at public schools typically pay significantly less, and most schools offer financial aid that reduces the effective cost.

What are the best public colleges in Hawaii?

The best public colleges in Hawaii include University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of Hawaii-West Oahu, University of Hawaii at Hilo. Public universities typically offer lower tuition for in-state residents.

What are the best private colleges in Hawaii?

The best private colleges in Hawaii include Hawaii Tokai International College, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Brigham Young University-Hawaii. Private colleges may offer more generous financial aid despite higher sticker prices.

How are these Hawaii rankings determined?

Our overall rankings are calculated independently from publicly available data including U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS, and aggregated student-experience signals — not from US News or any other publication.

1. 1. University of Hawaii at Manoa — Honolulu, HI · 86.6% acceptance · SAT 1,102 · $34,218 tuition · 64% grad rate
2. 2. Hawaii Tokai International College — Kapolei, HI · 77.8% acceptance · $16,560 tuition · 93% grad rate
3. 3. Chaminade University of Honolulu — Honolulu, HI · 91.4% acceptance · SAT 1,060 · $30,874 tuition · 55% grad rate
4. 4. Brigham Young University-Hawaii — Laie, HI · 47% acceptance · SAT 1,130 · $6,630 tuition · 53% grad rate
5. 5. University of Hawaii-West Oahu — Kapolei, HI · 95.3% acceptance · SAT 985 · $20,544 tuition · 50% grad rate
6. 6. University of Hawaii at Hilo — Hilo, HI · 60.6% acceptance · SAT 1,028 · $20,798 tuition · 48% grad rate
7. 7. Pacific Rim Christian University — Honolulu, HI · $13,580 tuition · 45% grad rate
8. 8. Hawaii Pacific University — Honolulu, HI · 85.9% acceptance · SAT 1,111 · $34,392 tuition · 35% grad rate
9. 9. Leeward Community College — Pearl City, HI · $8,350 tuition · 35% grad rate
10. 10. Honolulu Community College — Honolulu, HI · $8,310 tuition · 25% grad rate
11. 11. Windward Community College — Kaneohe, HI · $8,330 tuition · 31% grad rate
12. 12. University of Hawaii Maui College — Kahului, HI · $8,420 tuition · 28% grad rate
13. 13. Kapiolani Community College — Honolulu, HI · $8,420 tuition · 22% grad rate
14. 14. Hawaii Community College — Hilo, HI · $8,340 tuition · 33% grad rate
15. 15. Institute of Clinical Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine — Honolulu, HI

Best Colleges in Hawaii on PickACampus