Honolulu, Hawaii Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

Colleges in Honolulu, Hawaii: median public in-state tuition $13,580 (+146.4% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $57,624 (+6.0% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 85.7% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $13,000 (-2.0% vs U.S.) 25,358 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 10 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 25,358 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $13,580 (+146.4% vs U.S.)
  • Median earnings 10 years after entry: $57,624 (+6.0% vs U.S.)
  • Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 85.7% (-2.3 pp vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $20,970 (+110.3% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $13,000 (-2.0% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $11,537
  • Average completion rate (institutions in state): 50.4%
  • Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 70.4%

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Overview

Colleges and universities in Honolulu serve students across Hawaii with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 10 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 25,358 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $13,580. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Honolulu, Hawaii and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Honolulu vs Hawaii & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Honolulu, Hawaii$13,580$20,970$13,00050.4%25,358
Hawaii (state median)$3,268$8,556$10,50047.0%41,521
United States$5,512$9,969$13,27150.3%14,468,221

Earnings & employment outcomes: Honolulu, Hawaii vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Honolulu, Hawaii$57,62485.7%70.4%3.8%—74.2%0.37
Hawaii (state median)$52,20982.5%73.1%5.3%—74.7%0.35
United States$54,38488.0%76.4%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in Hawaii (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Honolulu, Hawaii$13,580$20,970$13,00050.4%25,358$57,62485.7%
Hilo$5,521$10,399$15,50048.4%3,706$47,85679.3%
Kapolei$12,072$10,327$14,50049.5%2,543$52,07586.6%
United States$5,512$9,969$13,27150.3%14,468,221$54,38488.0%

Top 3 colleges in Honolulu, Hawaii by graduation rate (150% time)

Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.

  1. Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 64.3%, University of Hawaii at Manoa

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

    Public · 15,029 enrolled · Honolulu

  2. Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 55.4%, Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Private nonprofit · 1,672 enrolled · Honolulu

  3. Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 34.9%, Hawaii Pacific University

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 2,392 enrolled · Honolulu

Top 3 colleges in Honolulu, Hawaii by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)

Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 87.3%, University of Hawaii at Manoa

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

    Public · 15,029 enrolled · Honolulu

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 85.7%, Hawaii Pacific University

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 2,392 enrolled · Honolulu

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 72.9%, Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Private nonprofit · 1,672 enrolled · Honolulu

Top 3 most selective colleges in Honolulu, Hawaii (lowest admission rate)

Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.

  1. Rank 1, Admission Rate, 85.9%, Hawaii Pacific University

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 2,392 enrolled · Honolulu

  2. Rank 2, Admission Rate, 86.6%, University of Hawaii at Manoa

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

    Public · 15,029 enrolled · Honolulu

  3. Rank 3, Admission Rate, 91.4%, Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Private nonprofit · 1,672 enrolled · Honolulu

Top 3 colleges in Honolulu, Hawaii by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.

  1. Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $94,216, University of Hawaii at Manoa

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

    Public · 15,029 enrolled · Honolulu

  2. Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $81,125, Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Private nonprofit · 1,672 enrolled · Honolulu

  3. Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $75,892, Hawaii Pacific University

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 2,392 enrolled · Honolulu

Top 3 colleges in Honolulu, Hawaii by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.

  1. Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $120,258, University of Hawaii at Manoa

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

    Public · 15,029 enrolled · Honolulu

  2. Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $112,964, Hawaii Pacific University

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 2,392 enrolled · Honolulu

  3. Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $108,622, Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Private nonprofit · 1,672 enrolled · Honolulu

Top 3 colleges in Honolulu, Hawaii by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $48,773, Hawaii Pacific University

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 2,392 enrolled · Honolulu

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $48,660, Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Private nonprofit · 1,672 enrolled · Honolulu

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $45,701, University of Hawaii at Manoa

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

    Public · 15,029 enrolled · Honolulu

Top 3 colleges in Honolulu, Hawaii by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $53,836, Hawaii Pacific University

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 2,392 enrolled · Honolulu

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $52,625, University of Hawaii at Manoa

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

    Public · 15,029 enrolled · Honolulu

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $48,369, Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Private nonprofit · 1,672 enrolled · Honolulu

Top 3 colleges in Honolulu, Hawaii by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $59,593, Hawaii Pacific University

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 2,392 enrolled · Honolulu

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $57,624, University of Hawaii at Manoa

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

    Public · 15,029 enrolled · Honolulu

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $52,343, Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Private nonprofit · 1,672 enrolled · Honolulu

Top 3 colleges in Honolulu, Hawaii by 10-year ROI

Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $181,918, University of Hawaii at Manoa

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

    Public · 15,029 enrolled · Honolulu

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $121,936, Hawaii Pacific University

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 2,392 enrolled · Honolulu

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $103,962, Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Private nonprofit · 1,672 enrolled · Honolulu

Top 3 most affordable colleges in Honolulu, Hawaii (net price)

Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $15,664, University of Hawaii at Manoa

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

    Public · 15,029 enrolled · Honolulu

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $28,856, Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Private nonprofit · 1,672 enrolled · Honolulu

  3. Rank 3, Net Price, $29,657, Hawaii Pacific University

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 2,392 enrolled · Honolulu

Top 3 colleges in Honolulu, Hawaii by first-year retention (full-time)

Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 80.7%, University of Hawaii at Manoa

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

    Public · 15,029 enrolled · Honolulu

  2. Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 70.4%, Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Chaminade University of Honolulu

    Private nonprofit · 1,672 enrolled · Honolulu

  3. Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 56.5%, Hawaii Pacific University

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Private nonprofit · 2,392 enrolled · Honolulu

In-state tuition: Honolulu, Hawaii vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Honolulu, Hawaii median in-state tuition is $13,580, +146.4% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Honolulu, Hawaii vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Honolulu, Hawaii is $13,000 (-2.0% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $11,537.

Median earnings (10 years out): Honolulu, Hawaii vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Honolulu, Hawaii center around $57,624 (+6.0% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: Honolulu, Hawaii vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 85.7% at the median Honolulu, Hawaii campus (-2.3 pp vs U.S.).

Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Honolulu, Hawaii median public in-state tuition is $13,580, about +146.4% vs the national median. Versus the Far West region, tuition is +313.5%.

Median graduate debt is $13,000 (-2.0% below the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Earnings, employment & retention

Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Honolulu, Hawaii are $57,624, about +6.0% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).

The median campus reports 85.7% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (-2.3 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.

First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 70.4% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 3.8% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 74.2% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include University of Hawaii at Manoa (87.3%), Hawaii Pacific University (85.7%), Chaminade University of Honolulu (72.9%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Honolulu, Hawaii is 50.4% (national institution average about 50.3%).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colleges are in Honolulu?

This city profile covers 10 campuses in Honolulu, Hawaii with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Honolulu?

Median in-state tuition in Honolulu is $13,580 and median net price is $20,970. For Hawaii overall, medians are $3,268 and $8,556; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.

What do graduates earn in Honolulu?

Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Honolulu is $57,624 vs $52,209 for Hawaii and $54,384 nationally.

What is student debt like for Honolulu colleges?

Median completer debt in Honolulu is $13,000 vs $10,500 for Hawaii and $13,271 nationally.

What are the best colleges in Honolulu?

Top campuses on this page include University of Hawaii at Manoa (graduation) and Hawaii Pacific University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Honolulu?

Among 10 campuses in Honolulu, Hawaii, 1 campus with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Hawaii Pacific University; 2 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (1), Other Protestant (1).

Sources & related