Colleges in Hawaii
All 19 degree-granting colleges in Hawaii, sorted by published in-state tuition. Click any column header to re-sort.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive college in Hawaii is $28,766 per year — about $115,064 over a four-year degree.
All 19 colleges, cheapest first
| College | In-state | Out-of-state | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu Community CollegePublicHonolulu · 2-year | $3,174 | $3,174 | Public |
| 2 | Windward Community CollegePublicKaneohe · 2-year | $3,194 | $3,194 | Public |
| 3 | Hawaii Community CollegePublicHilo · 2-year | $3,204 | $3,204 | Public |
| 4 | Leeward Community CollegePublicPearl City · 2-year | $3,214 | $3,214 | Public |
| 5 | Kauai Community CollegePublicLihue · 2-year | $3,252 | $3,252 | Public |
| 6 | Kapiolani Community CollegePublicHonolulu · 2-year | $3,284 | $3,284 | Public |
| 7 | University of Hawaii Maui CollegePublicKahului · Less than 2-year | $3,284 | $3,284 | Public |
| 8 | Hawaii Tokai International CollegePrivateKapolei · 2-year | $6,210 | $6,210 | Private nonprofit |
| 9 | Brigham Young University-HawaiiPrivateLaie · Less than 2-year | $6,250 | $6,250 | Private nonprofit |
| 10 | University of Hawaii-West OahuPublicKapolei · Less than 2-year | $7,584 | $7,584 | Public |
| 11 | University of Hawaii at HiloPublicHilo · Less than 2-year | $7,838 | $7,838 | Public |
| 12 | University of Phoenix-HawaiiFor-profitKapolei · Less than 2-year | $9,552 | $9,552 | Private for-profit |
| 13 | University of Hawaii at ManoaPublicHonolulu · Less than 2-year | $12,186 | $12,186 | Public |
| 14 | Pacific Rim Christian UniversityPrivateHonolulu · Less than 2-year | $12,380 | $12,380 | Private nonprofit |
| 15 | Hawaii Medical CollegeFor-profitHonolulu · 2-year | $26,037 | $26,037 | Private for-profit |
| 16 | Chaminade University of HonoluluPrivateHonolulu · Less than 2-year | $28,544 | $28,544 | Private nonprofit |
| 17 | Hawaii Pacific UniversityPrivateHonolulu · Less than 2-year | $31,940 | $31,940 | Private nonprofit |
| 18 | Institute of Clinical Acupuncture & Oriental MedFor-profitHonolulu · Less than 2-year | — | — | Private for-profit |
| 19 | University of Hawaii System OfficePublicHonolulu · Less than 2-year | — | — | Public |
By city
Questions
What is the cheapest college in Hawaii?
Honolulu Community College in Honolulu, at $3,174 per year for in-state students. The next cheapest are Windward Community College ($3,194), Hawaii Community College ($3,204), Leeward Community College ($3,214).
How much does college cost in Hawaii?
The median published in-state tuition is $6,250 per year across 17 colleges that reported. Community colleges sit at the low end; private four-year schools at the high end. Remember this is tuition and fees only — housing, food and books are extra.
Public or private — which is cheaper?
Public colleges usually have a much lower sticker price for state residents because taxpayers subsidize them. But private colleges often give larger scholarships, so the net price can end up similar. Always compare after aid, not before.
Do I have to live in Hawaii to get in-state tuition?
Generally yes, and the rules are stricter than people expect. Most states require 12 months of residency for reasons other than education, plus proof like a driver's license, voter registration and tax filings. Check the specific school's residency policy.
About this data
Every figure comes from IPEDS 2022 — the survey every U.S. college receiving federal student aid must complete. We list published tuition and fees for full-time undergraduates. Schools that did not report tuition appear at the bottom with a dash. Confirm current pricing on each school's website before applying.