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Best colleges in Hawaii

Written by:
March 25, 2024
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

Best colleges in Hawaii

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions a person will make for their education, impacting everything from future earnings and employment to potential student loan debt and social circles.

While every student wants to get the best education they possibly can, there are myriad considerations to take into account: location, size, diversity, areas of focus, study abroad opportunities—the list goes on.

While best college lists are often topped with the same handful of expensive Ivy League schools, the U.S. is home to more than 4,000 degree-granting schools spread out across all 50 states and several territories, with amazing education offerings for students to consider.

Stacker compiled a list of the best four-year colleges in Hawaii using rankings from Niche. Tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, acceptance rate, and graduation rate are among the factors considered in deciding these rankings. Location is also often a key factor in a school's appeal, whether it be a beachside location, one full of New England foliage, or proximity to tech hubs and companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Google. Online and unspecified location schools were excluded from the rankings.

Keep reading to see the best schools in your state.

College students laughing and having fun at a tailgate party.
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Sean Locke Photography // Shutterstock

#8. University of Phoenix - Hawaii

- Location: Kapolei, HI
- Acceptance rate: Not available
- Net price: $14,508
- SAT range: Not available
- Niche grade:  unavailable
Bookshelves forming a hallway in a college library.
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DavidPinoPhotography // Shutterstock

#7. Pacific Rim Christian University

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Net price: $20,649
- SAT range: Not available
- Niche grade:  unavailable
A student taking notes in a library.
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#6. Hawaii Pacific University

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Acceptance rate: 85%
- Net price: $25,385
- SAT range: 1070-1180
- Niche grade:  C+
An empty college dorm room with bunkbeds.
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#5. University of Hawaii at Hilo

- Location: Hilo, HI
- Acceptance rate: 92%
- Net price: $13,255
- SAT range: 1000-1210
- Niche grade:  B-
A college professor giving a lecture.
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#4. Brigham Young University - Hawaii

- Location: Laie, HI
- Acceptance rate: 88%
- Net price: $13,585
- SAT range: 1070-1260
- Niche grade:  B

You may also like: Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Hawaii

A group of college students working together on a group project in a library.
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#3. University of Hawaii - West Oahu

- Location: Kapolei, HI
- Acceptance rate: 95%
- Net price: $11,105
- SAT range: 970-1220
- Niche grade:  B
An empty college classroom.
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#2. Chaminade University of Honolulu

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Acceptance rate: 90%
- Net price: $27,171
- SAT range: 960-1140
- Niche grade:  B
A group of college students working on their laptops.
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#1. University of Hawaii at Manoa

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Acceptance rate: 70%
- Net price: $14,825
- SAT range: 1080-1290
- Niche grade:  B+

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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