About Kauai Community College
Kauai Community College trains students for careers in Hawaii's hospitality and agriculture industries. The college enrolls 726 students on the Garden Isle, offering hands-on programs in culinary arts, hospitality management, and sustainable agriculture. Nearly 99% of students come from Hawaii, creating a tight-knit island community. The rural setting provides direct access to working farms and resort properties where students gain real-world experience.
Students pay an average of $5,724 after financial aid, making this one of Hawaii's most affordable college options. Graduates earn a median of $36,868 ten years after starting college, while carrying just $10,500 in debt. Monthly loan payments average only $111. For families earning under $30,000, the net price drops to $4,975. The low debt burden makes sense for a college focused on practical career training rather than four-year degrees.
Women make up 64% of the student body, reflecting strong enrollment in the college's nursing and hospitality programs. Asian students represent 27% of enrollment, while Hispanic students account for 15%. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio allows for personalized instruction in small classes. Only 29% of students complete their programs within six years, typical for community colleges serving working adults and part-time students.
Students pay an average of $5,724 after financial aid, making this one of Hawaii's most affordable college options. Graduates earn a median of $36,868 ten years after starting college, while carrying just $10,500 in debt. Monthly loan payments average only $111. For families earning under $30,000, the net price drops to $4,975. The low debt burden makes sense for a college focused on practical career training rather than four-year degrees.
Women make up 64% of the student body, reflecting strong enrollment in the college's nursing and hospitality programs. Asian students represent 27% of enrollment, while Hispanic students account for 15%. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio allows for personalized instruction in small classes. Only 29% of students complete their programs within six years, typical for community colleges serving working adults and part-time students.
Academics & Faculty
Kauai Community College specializes in career-focused programs that match the island's economy, particularly hospitality, culinary arts, and sustainable agriculture. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio means classes stay small and instructors know students personally. However, the 29% six-year graduation rate reflects challenges many community college students face balancing work and school. The college trains students for Hawaii's tourism industry through hands-on programs in hotel management and food service. Agriculture programs focus on sustainable farming techniques suited to tropical climates. Nearly 99% of students come from in-state, creating a tight-knit learning environment. Most graduates enter the workforce directly rather than transferring to four-year universities.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 62.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 29.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $36,868
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $54,661 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Associate | $38,289 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $26,353 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $25,194 |
Campus Life
Kauai Community College sits on Hawaii's Garden Isle, where 98.83% of students are Hawaii residents who know they're getting paradise with their education. You'll need sunscreen year-round, not winter coats, as temperatures hover in the 70s and 80s with trade winds keeping things comfortable. The campus serves just 726 students, creating an intimate learning environment where the 11:1 student-faculty ratio means professors actually know your name.
Most students commute from around the island since there's no traditional campus housing. Weekends often mean beach time, hiking the dramatic Na Pali Coast, or working in the tourism industry that drives the local economy. The rural-fringe setting means you're far from city distractions but close to some of the world's most beautiful beaches. With 63.77% women and strong representation from Asian (26.58%) and Hispanic (15.29%) communities, the campus reflects Hawaii's diverse culture. Students often balance coursework in hospitality and culinary arts with part-time jobs in Kauai's resort and restaurant scene.
Most students commute from around the island since there's no traditional campus housing. Weekends often mean beach time, hiking the dramatic Na Pali Coast, or working in the tourism industry that drives the local economy. The rural-fringe setting means you're far from city distractions but close to some of the world's most beautiful beaches. With 63.77% women and strong representation from Asian (26.58%) and Hispanic (15.29%) communities, the campus reflects Hawaii's diverse culture. Students often balance coursework in hospitality and culinary arts with part-time jobs in Kauai's resort and restaurant scene.
- Setting
- Rural-Fringe
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Founded
- 1965
Campus Safety (2023)
2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Violence | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 65°–78°F
- July Avg
- 74°–84°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 37.1"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
Kauai Community College draws students from across Hawaii's diverse communities, with women making up nearly two-thirds of the 726 enrolled students. The student body reflects the island's multicultural heritage, with significant Asian and Hispanic populations alongside Native Hawaiian students. Almost all students come from within Hawaii, showing the college's strong ties to local families seeking affordable career training. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, reflecting the school's mission to serve working-class island residents. The female majority connects to popular programs in hospitality management and culinary arts that dominate Kauai's tourism economy.
- Men
- 36.2%
- Women
- 63.8%
- White
- 13.0%
- Black
- 1.1%
- Hispanic
- 15.3%
- Asian
- 26.6%
- In-State Students
- 98.8%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 24.2%
Location
Kauai Community College sits in Lihue on Hawaii's northernmost inhabited island. The campus is 103 miles northwest of Honolulu across the Kauai Channel. With 726 students, the college serves Hawaii's "Garden Isle," known for dramatic cliffs, pristine beaches, and year-round tropical weather. Nearly 99% of students are Hawaii residents. The rural-fringe setting means students study surrounded by lush mountains, coral reefs, and small plantation towns rather than urban sprawl. Kauai's isolation creates a tight-knit island community where tourism and agriculture drive the local economy. The island's natural beauty provides hands-on learning opportunities for programs in sustainable agriculture and hospitality management. Students considering colleges in Hawaii may also compare Kauai Community College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Lihue, Hawaii 96766-9500
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $36,868
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $39,770
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $29,400
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 50.2%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $111/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $10,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the student-faculty ratio at Kauai Community College?
Kauai Community College maintains an 11:1 student-faculty ratio with just 726 students enrolled. This small scale allows for personalized attention in the college's signature programs like hospitality and sustainable agriculture on Hawaii's Garden Isle.
How much does Kauai Community College cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $5,724 annually at Kauai Community College. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,975 net, while in-state tuition starts at $3,252 before aid.
What programs is Kauai Community College known for?
Kauai Community College specializes in career-focused programs including hospitality, culinary arts, and sustainable agriculture. With an 87.1% employment rate after graduation, the college prepares students for Hawaii's tourism and agricultural industries.
What are the graduation outcomes at Kauai Community College?
The college reports a 29.10% six-year graduation rate, with graduates earning a median of $36,868 ten years after enrollment. Students typically graduate with manageable debt of $10,500 median and monthly loan payments of just $111.
Where is Kauai Community College located and what is the campus like?
The college sits in Lihue on Kauai's rural fringe, serving as the educational center for Hawaii's Garden Isle. Nearly 99% of the 726 students are Hawaii residents, creating a tight-knit island community.
Does Kauai Community College have a diverse student body?
The student body reflects Hawaii's multicultural population with 26.58% Asian students and 15.29% Hispanic students. Women make up 63.77% of enrollment, while only 12.95% of students identify as white, showcasing the island's unique demographics.
