University of Hawaii at Hilo Acceptance Rate & Tuition

Last updated: June 29, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

University of Hawaii at Hilo is a public research university in Hilo, Hawaii, enrolling about 2,160 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 60.63% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $47,856 among students who received federal aid.

Key Facts

  • 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $7,838
  • 2024 Average Net Price: $11,856 After Financial Aid
  • 2024 Acceptance Rate: 60.63% Moderate Selectivity
  • 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,160 82.0% Full-Time
  • 2024 Graduation Rate: 48.37%
  • Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
  • First-Generation Students: 36.6%
  • Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
  • Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 10.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
  • Full-Time Faculty: 76.4%
  • Average SAT Score: 1028
  • Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,765
  • Applicants (IPEDS): 2,562
  • Room & Board: $11,586 annual estimate

University of Hawaii at Hilo: what the data shows

Common questions about University of Hawaii at Hilo, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.

Where is University of Hawaii at Hilo?

University of Hawaii at Hilo is located in Hilo, HI (ZIP 96720-4091).

NCES locale classification: Town remote.

Is University of Hawaii at Hilo public or private?

University of Hawaii at Hilo is a Public institution.

How much does University of Hawaii at Hilo cost?

Published tuition: $7,838 in-state, $20,798 out-of-state.

Average net price after aid: $11,856.

Family income bandAvg. net price
Family income $0–$30,000$8,983
$30,001–$48,000$9,243
$48,001–$75,000$11,535
$75,001–$110,000$14,734
$110,001+$17,403

Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $31,352.

How hard is it to get into University of Hawaii at Hilo?

Admission rate: 60.63%.

Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1028 and midpoint ACT 19.

Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.

How big is University of Hawaii at Hilo?

Total enrollment: 2,160 students.

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,765 students.

Graduate enrollment: 376 students.

About 82% enroll full-time in our extract.

What is the graduation rate at University of Hawaii at Hilo?

150%-time completion rate: 48.37%.

First-year retention: 72.8%.

What do graduates of University of Hawaii at Hilo earn?

Median earnings: $37,204 six years after entry; $47,856 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).

How much debt do students have?

Median federal loan debt among completers: $20,500.

40.39% of students receive Pell grants.

What is University of Hawaii at Hilo known for?

Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:

See ROI & Programs for more.

Is University of Hawaii at Hilo a good school?

We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 60.63%; completion rate 48.37%; median earnings $47,856 at 10 years; net price $11,856. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.

Tuition & Cost

Tuition Costs

$7,838
2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Hawaii at Hilo was $7,838.

Tuition comparison with similar institutions.

Average Net Price

$11,856
2024 Value

In 2024 University of Hawaii at Hilo had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $11,856.

Average net price comparison with similar institutions.

Total Cost of Attendance

$47,424 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost

$11,856 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)

$31,352 4-Year In-State Tuition

$83,192 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition

$11,586 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)

$1,360 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)

$20,784 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)

$83,136 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)

4-year total cost breakdown for University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Financial Aid by Income Level

40.39% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

30.03% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

Financial aid distribution by income level.

Student Loan Default Rate

0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)

The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Hawaii at Hilo was 0.00%.

Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.

Tuition tracker

Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Hawaii at Hilo in that year.

Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).

Year In-state tuition & fees Out-of-state tuition & fees Average net price
2013$6,536$18,296$9,749
2014$7,036$19,036$10,242
2015$7,332$19,788$11,029
2016$7,650$20,610$11,912
2017$7,648$20,608$13,615
2018$7,720$20,680$15,125
2019$7,792$20,752$13,885
2020$7,838$20,798$13,503
2021$7,838$20,798$13,259
2022$7,838$20,798$13,444
2023$7,838$20,798$12,063

Sticker tuition and net price over time

Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.

College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).

Net price by family income

Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).

Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Acceptance Rate

60.63% Acceptance Rate

2,562 Total Applicants

2,300 Students Admitted

367 First-Time Students Enrolled

15.96% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)

This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.

Acceptance rate compared to national average.

Test Scores

SAT Average: 1028

ACT Average: 19

Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.

Academic Requirements

Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4

Estimated Median GPA: 3.20

Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.

Estimated GPA and test score ranges.

Enrollment & Student Demographics

University of Hawaii at Hilo reported total enrollment of about 2,160 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 37% male and 63% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Two or More Races (34.7%), White (19.7%), and Hispanic or Latino (16.5%). About 40.39% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 36.6% of students are first-generation college students.

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

82.0% Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at University of Hawaii at Hilo in 2024 is 2,160 students.

Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,765 students. Graduate enrollment is about 376 students.

Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.

Retention Rate over Time

72.8%
2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.

Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Two or More Races at 34.7%.

Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).

College Scorecard student demographics.

Graduates & Outcomes

Time to Complete

30.08% 100% Completion Time

48.37% 150% Completion Time

In 2024, 30.08% of students graduating from University of Hawaii at Hilo completed their program within 100% "normal time".

Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.

Completions by Sex (Top Programs)

  • Pharmacy: 26% male / 74% female
  • Business Administration and Management, General: 57% male / 43% female
  • Psychology, General: 17% male / 83% female

IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).

Completions by Race & Ethnicity

Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: Two or More Races.

Summed across program completion records in our extract.

ROI & Programs

Financial value and program information for University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Return on Investment

$20,500 Median Student Debt

$47,856 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)

42.84% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio

909.11% Return on Investment

4.3 years Estimated Payback Period

Financial value analysis for University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Top Programs by Completions

10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 42 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).

1. Pharmacy: 74 completions

2. Business Administration and Management, General: 63 completions

3. Psychology, General: 47 completions

4. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 40 completions

5. Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography: 38 completions

6. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 34 completions

7. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 33 completions

8. Environmental Science: 31 completions

9. Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 27 completions

Most popular programs at University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Employment Outcomes

Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.

Earnings outcomes for University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates.

Operations

Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of Hawaii at Hilo from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).

Instructional Resources

  • Full-time faculty share: 76.4%
  • Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $12,097
  • Instructional expenditure per FTE: $23,630

Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.

Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.

About

University of Hawaii at Hilo is a public institution located in Hilo, HI, classified as Doctoral/Professional Universities. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Pharmacy, Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 2,160 students. Student body composition includes Two or More Races (34.7%), White (19.7%), Hispanic or Latino (16.5%). The admission rate is 60.63%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1028. The 150%-time completion rate is 48.37%. Approximately 40.39% of students receive Pell Grants. About 36.6% of students are first-generation college students.

Institution Type

Public

Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities

Location

Hilo, HI 96720-4091

Region: Far West

Insights and Analysis

University of Hawaii at Hilo provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is University of Hawaii at Hilo located?

University of Hawaii at Hilo is located in Hilo, HI.

What is University of Hawaii at Hilo's acceptance rate?

The acceptance rate at University of Hawaii at Hilo is 60.6% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 2,562 applicants and 2,300 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.

How much does University of Hawaii at Hilo cost?

Reported tuition is $7,838 and average net price is $11,856 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $11,586 annually.

What is the student body demographics at University of Hawaii at Hilo?

University of Hawaii at Hilo reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,765 students, Two or More Races (34.7%), White (19.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.

How many first-generation students attend University of Hawaii at Hilo?

About 36.6% of students at University of Hawaii at Hilo are first-generation college students.

What test scores do students need for University of Hawaii at Hilo?

Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of Hawaii at Hilo reports midpoint SAT about 1028 and midpoint ACT about 19.

What do graduates of University of Hawaii at Hilo earn?

Median earnings are $37,204 six years after entry and $47,856 ten years after entry.

What is the graduation rate at University of Hawaii at Hilo?

The 150%-time completion rate is 48.4% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.

How much debt do University of Hawaii at Hilo students have?

Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,500.

Is University of Hawaii at Hilo public or private?

University of Hawaii at Hilo is a public institution located in Hilo, HI.

Is University of Hawaii at Hilo an HBCU?

No. University of Hawaii at Hilo is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.

Is University of Hawaii at Hilo a tribal college?

No. University of Hawaii at Hilo is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.

Data Sources

This page uses data from the following sources:

  • Far West regional profile
  • All state profiles
  • Regional profiles
  • National benchmarks
  • School directory
  • All schools in Hawaii

    • Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.

    Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.

    Methodology

    Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.

    All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.