2025 Best Colleges in Hawaii (2024)

  1. #1 Best Colleges in HawaiiUniversity of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI·4 Year·Rating 3.53 out of 5 2,586 reviewsFreshman: I think that it is a rally nice school overall when it comes to campus life and the academics portion. However when it comes to some of the student population it can become kind of difficult to work with people because a lot of students tend to have low motivation for their courses. The teachers try their best to mediate this conflict but it doesn't always work. Also the housing is not bad but there have also been some issues with the fire alarms which is really inconvenient because a lack of sleep affects one's schooling. This is not an issue in all housing, however, so it really is not that big of a deal.... Read 2,586 reviewsgradeB+Overall Niche GradeAcceptance rate 73%Net price $13,639SAT range 1070-1290University of Hawaii at Manoa#1 Best Colleges in Hawaii. Blue checkmark. 4 Year, HONOLULU, HI. 2586 Niche users give it an average review of 3.5 stars. Featured Review: Freshman says I think that it is a rally nice school overall when it comes to campus life and the academics portion. However when it comes to some of the student population it can become kind of difficult to work... Read 2586 reviews. Overall Niche Grade: B+, Acceptance Rate: 73%, Net Price: $13,639, SAT Range: 1070-1290,

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  2. #2 Best Colleges in HawaiiBrigham Young University - HawaiiLaie, HI·4 Year·Rating 3.8 out of 5 826 reviewsAlum: BYU-Hawaii is a great school that values diversity. I have many international students in my classes, and the small class sizes allow professors to care about students. However, the school has failed to address sexual assault effectively.The Title IX training is inadequate. Many friends who went through it still struggle to understand consent and are confused about whether they have experienced sexual assault. The definition of consent is often misunderstood. The Women’s Services department states that consent must be “enthusiastic, voluntary, and ongoing.” Meanwhile, Title IX suggests that consent can be proven based on the idea that "science shows boys do not understand 'no' when they are sexually aroused."While the administration and Title IX office staff are nice, the overall system is flawed, creating confusion and feelings of institutional betrayal. Several friends who were assaulted received no support from the school and were encouraged to go home until they were better.... Read 826 reviewsgradeBOverall Niche GradeAcceptance rate 34%Net price $15,835SAT range 1050-1260Brigham Young University - Hawaii#2 Best Colleges in Hawaii. Blue checkmark. 4 Year, LAIE, HI. 826 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars. Featured Review: Alum says BYU-Hawaii is a great school that values diversity. I have many international students in my classes, and the small class sizes allow professors to care about students. However, the school has failed... Read 826 reviews. Overall Niche Grade: B, Acceptance Rate: 34%, Net Price: $15,835, SAT Range: 1050-1260,

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  3. #3 Best Colleges in HawaiiChaminade University of HonoluluHonolulu, HI·4 Year·Rating 3.9 out of 5 620 reviewsSophomore: In early June, a month after my graduation, my mother and I were looking through various colleges around the island. We went from public schools to private schools, some two years while others were four years. It was difficult, especially since I wanted to go to a school that would not only enhance my learning, but also establish meaningful connections. Chaminade fit my standards. The classes, unlike most public universities, were smaller with at least a handful of 15- 20 students—sometimes, they were even smaller than that. With the student to ratio being smaller, it was not only more manageable for the professors, but also easier to ask for help or approach the professor for any questions. There are many great things about Chaminade: from the class sizes, to the unique diversity in students, and the friendly aura that everyone exudes. However, if I was to change one thing: it would be the prices of food in the POD market, a fast stop- n'- shop students can purchase food from.... Read 620 reviewsgradeBOverall Niche GradeAcceptance rate 93%Net price $27,315SAT range 960-1140Chaminade University of Honolulu#3 Best Colleges in Hawaii. Blue checkmark. 4 Year, HONOLULU, HI. 620 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars. Featured Review: Sophomore says In early June, a month after my graduation, my mother and I were looking through various colleges around the island. We went from public schools to private schools, some two years while others were... Read 620 reviews. Overall Niche Grade: B, Acceptance Rate: 93%, Net Price: $27,315, SAT Range: 960-1140,

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  4. SponsoredCollegeWhitworth University4 Year·SPOKANE, WA·Rating 4.01 out of 5 975
    SponsoredCollegeWashington State University4 Year·PULLMAN, WA·Rating 3.79 out of 5 4,139
  5. #4 Best Colleges in HawaiiUniversity of Hawaii - West OahuKapolei, HI·4 Year·Rating 3.73 out of 5 349 reviewsAlum: My overall experience was great at the University of Hawai'i - West O'ahu. I graduated in 2015 but didn't begin at UHWO until 2019, and I considered the university to still be fairly new so, it was exciting to have the opportunity to attend a university that was super close to home! I have had amazing professors the entire time that I was there, there were times where I had to bring my children with me to class and they allowed it; they always did what they could to help me succeed. They were always there to help me when I needed it the most. On the other hand, their cafe is the best!!... Read 349 reviewsgradeBOverall Niche GradeAcceptance rate 96%Net price $9,103SAT range 1040-1180University of Hawaii - West Oahu#4 Best Colleges in Hawaii. Blue checkmark. 4 Year, KAPOLEI, HI. 349 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars. Featured Review: Alum says My overall experience was great at the University of Hawai'i - West O'ahu. I graduated in 2015 but didn't begin at UHWO until 2019, and I considered the university to still be fairly new so, it was... Read 349 reviews. Overall Niche Grade: B, Acceptance Rate: 96%, Net Price: $9,103, SAT Range: 1040-1180,

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  7. Hawaii Pacific UniversityHonolulu, HI·4 Year·Rating 3.62 out of 5 969 reviewsSenior: This school is located in a very desirable, very enjoyable place. Practically everyone who comes here applies because they want to go to school on a tropical island, and it's not unreasonable. A lot of students, professors, and department heads are very passionate about what they do and it helps to keep motivation up. But as someone who also worked as an employee, I've seen a LOT of flaws. The Financial Aid department is overworked and understaffed, the Housing and Residence Life department is run by a lot of inexperienced people that have no clue what they're doing (a lot of turnover and desperate hires) so it makes things really messy. Not to mention that the school makes questionable financial decisions that don't benefit much of the student body, preferring the band-aid approach over actually addressing and fixing issues. I loved my experiences with my friends at this school, but I think that it needs a massive overhaul to fix the many underlying problems and weed out the bad.... Read 969 reviewsgradeC+Overall Niche GradeAcceptance rate 87%Net price $30,501SAT range 1060-1240Hawaii Pacific University4 Year, HONOLULU, HI. 969 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars. Featured Review: Senior says This school is located in a very desirable, very enjoyable place. Practically everyone who comes here applies because they want to go to school on a tropical island, and it's not unreasonable. A lot... Read 969 reviews. Overall Niche Grade: C+, Acceptance Rate: 87%, Net Price: $30,501, SAT Range: 1060-1240,

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  9. Pacific Rim Christian UniversityHonolulu, HI·4 Year·Rating 4.31 out of 5 16 reviewsSophomore: This being my first college experience since graduating high school, it has been an amazing journey thus far. As a current sophomore, I can recall several "God moments" that have made my studying of scripture and theology here eye-opening. From the professors, to the context of what we are studying, to the surrounding community of other believers, to even the messages being delivered by students at our chapel services, all of it has been tremendous. Although the campus is separated by two locations, the classes are small enough to earn the attention of your professors, and to have meaningful conversations with fellow students for group projects and homework. If you are looking for a college, that focuses developing your hermeneutics, while having a heart to reach the world, then be sure to put Pacific Rim Christian University at the top of your list of Christian colleges to choose from in Hawaiʻi.... Read 16 reviewsgradeunavailableOverall Niche GradeAcceptance rate 100%Net price $19,605SAT range —Pacific Rim Christian UniversityBlue checkmark. 4 Year, HONOLULU, HI. 16 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars. Featured Review: Sophomore says This being my first college experience since graduating high school, it has been an amazing journey thus far. As a current sophomore, I can recall several "God moments" that have made my studying of... Read 16 reviews. Acceptance Rate: 100%, Net Price: $19,605,

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  10. University of Phoenix - HawaiiKapolei, HI·4 Year·Rating 3.73 out of 5 90 reviewsGraduate Student: I loved the Campus at Hawaii! Such a nice setting and so many new people to meet! The staff are high quality and very kind to all the students.... Read 90 reviewsgradeunavailableOverall Niche GradeAcceptance rate —Net price $14,508SAT range —University of Phoenix - HawaiiBlue checkmark. 4 Year, KAPOLEI, HI. 90 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars. Featured Review: Graduate Student says I loved the Campus at Hawaii! Such a nice setting and so many new people to meet! The staff are high quality and very kind to all the students. Read 90 reviews. Net Price: $14,508,

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  11. University of Hawaii - West Oahu Distance EducationKapolei, HI·4 Year (Online)·Rating 4.67 out of 5 3 reviewsSenior: Great instructors, flexible scheduling, easy interface for distance learning, and excellent counseling in the business department.... Read 3 reviewsgradeunavailableOverall Niche GradeAcceptance rate —Net price —SAT range —University of Hawaii - West Oahu Distance Education4 Year (Online), KAPOLEI, HI. 3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars. Featured Review: Senior says Great instructors, flexible scheduling, easy interface for distance learning, and excellent counseling in the business department. Read 3 reviews.

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  12. SponsoredCollegeUniversity of Puget Sound4 Year·TACOMA, WA·Rating 3.5 out of 5 802
    SponsoredCollegeGonzaga University4 Year·SPOKANE, WA·Rating 3.88 out of 5 1,470
    SponsoredCollegeCornish College of the Arts4 Year·SEATTLE, WA·Rating 3.59 out of 5 271
2025 Best Colleges in Hawaii (2024)
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