Skip to main content

Best Value Psychology Colleges in Hawaii

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Public universities in Hawaii deliver psychology degrees at remarkably low costs, with University of Hawaii at Hilo charging just $12,063 net price compared to Hawaii Pacific University's $30,557. The $18,000 price gap becomes significant given Hawaii's highest-in-nation living costs and the reality that most psychology graduates remain in the islands to work. Tourism and military sectors, Hawaii's dominant employers, increasingly value behavioral science expertise for customer service training and personnel management roles.
5
Programs
$12,063 – $30,557
Net Price Range
$27,552
Avg. Program Earnings
51.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Psychology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $13,181 $27,419 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
2 $12,063 $24,532 $7,838 41.6% 84.2%
3 $13,884 $28,236 $6,438 54.4% 34.2%
4 $30,557 $30,988 $33,020 41.2% 87.1%
5 $28,061 $26,585 $29,970 58.1% 93.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic cost difference between Hawaii's psychology programs?

Public universities like UH Hilo ($12,063) and UH Manoa ($13,181) cost roughly half what private institutions charge, with Hawaii Pacific University reaching $30,557 annually. The University of Hawaii system receives state funding that keeps tuition low for residents, while private schools rely on tuition revenue in an expensive real estate market.

How do graduation rates compare across Hawaii's psychology programs?

University of Hawaii at Manoa leads with a 62.6% graduation rate, followed by Chaminade at 58.1%. UH Hilo and Hawaii Pacific both struggle with completion rates around 41%, despite their vastly different price points and admission selectivity.

Does staying in Hawaii after graduation affect psychology career earnings?

Psychology graduates earn between $24,532 and $30,988 in Hawaii, reflecting the state's limited job market and geographic isolation. Tourism companies and military installations provide the primary employment opportunities, often emphasizing applied psychology skills over clinical practice.

More Psychology, General Rankings

Cheapest Psychology, General in Hawaii Psychology, General Under $20,000 in Hawaii

Related

All Psychology, General Programs Best Colleges in Hawaii Best Psychology, General in Hawaii

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.