Colleges in Honolulu, Hawaii
10 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 10 colleges and universities in Honolulu, Hawaii (4 Private for-profit, 3 Private nonprofit, 3 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 10 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $20,970 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 55.4%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 87% of applicants.
The median net price in Honolulu runs about $9,146 higher than the Hawaii statewide median of $11,824.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Honolulu, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$20,970
After aid
Median grad rate
55.4%
6-year
Median admission rate
87%
Median enrollment
1,672
Undergrad
All colleges in Honolulu
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI | HI | Public, 4-year | $15,664 | 64.3% | 87% | 15,029 | Complete | |
| Kapiolani Community College Honolulu, HI | HI | Public, 2-year | $5,202 | 22.2% | Not available | 3,910 | Partial | |
| Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI | HI | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $29,657 | 34.9% | 86% | 2,392 | Complete | |
| Honolulu Community College Honolulu, HI | HI | Public, 2-year | $7,458 | 24.8% | Not available | 1,897 | Partial | |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu, HI | HI | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $28,856 | 55.4% | 91% | 1,672 | Complete | |
| Hawaii Medical College Honolulu, HI | HI | Private for-profit, 2-year | $30,107 | 83.8% | Not available | 194 | Partial | |
| Pacific Rim Christian University Honolulu, HI | HI | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $23,151 | 45.5% | Not available | 129 | Complete | |
| Hawaii Institute of Hair Design Honolulu, HI | HI | Private for-profit, 2-year | $20,970 | 82.1% | Not available | 85 | Partial | |
| Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy Honolulu, HI | HI | Private for-profit, <2-year | $11,824 | 86.5% | Not available | 50 | Partial | |
| Institute of Clinical Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Honolulu, HI | HI | Private for-profit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing |
By institution type
Private for-profit (4)
Private for-profit colleges in Honolulu operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Hawaii Medical CollegeNet price: $30,107Grad: 83.8%
- Hawaii Institute of Hair DesignNet price: $20,970Grad: 82.1%
- Makana Esthetics Wellness AcademyNet price: $11,824Grad: 86.5%
- Institute of Clinical Acupuncture & Oriental MedicineNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Private nonprofit (3)
Private nonprofit colleges in Honolulu are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Hawaii Pacific UniversityNet price: $29,657Grad: 34.9%
- Chaminade University of HonoluluNet price: $28,856Grad: 55.4%
- Pacific Rim Christian UniversityNet price: $23,151Grad: 45.5%
Public (3)
Public colleges in Honolulu are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- University of Hawaii at ManoaNet price: $15,664Grad: 64.3%
- Kapiolani Community CollegeNet price: $5,202Grad: 22.2%
- Honolulu Community CollegeNet price: $7,458Grad: 24.8%
Top programs in Honolulu
Most-completed programs across Honolulu colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Business15.7% of degrees
- Liberal arts12.3% of degrees
- Health professions12.2% of degrees
- Biological sciences6.1% of degrees
- Psychology5.3% of degrees
- Education4.6% of degrees
- Social sciences4.5% of degrees
- Engineering4.4% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Honolulu
Q.How many colleges are in Honolulu, Hawaii?
There are 10 colleges and universities in Honolulu, Hawaii that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 4 Private for-profit, 3 Private nonprofit, 3 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Honolulu?
By undergraduate enrollment, University of Hawaii at Manoa is the largest institution in Honolulu with roughly 15,029 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Honolulu?
Based on average net price after aid, Kapiolani Community College is the most affordable institution in Honolulu at $5,202 per year.
Q.Which Honolulu college has the highest graduation rate?
Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Honolulu institutions at 86.5%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Honolulu?
The median net price across all 10 colleges in Honolulu is $20,970 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Honolulu?
Across Honolulu colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Business, Liberal arts, Health professions.
Q.Are there community colleges in Honolulu?
Yes — Honolulu includes 3 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Hawaii
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Honolulu that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.