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Urban Colleges in Hawaii

9 schools in Hawaii. See our methodology.

Urban Hawaii colleges serve 26,267 students across nine institutions, with costs varying dramatically from Kapiolani Community College's $5,194 net price to Hawaii Medical College's $35,048. The University of Hawaii at Manoa dominates enrollment with 14,306 students and leads graduation rates at 62.6%, while smaller institutions like Pacific Rim Christian University achieve 52.4% completion with just 113 students. Most schools cluster in Honolulu, reflecting the state's concentrated urban development and job market. Hawaii's tourism and military-heavy economy creates unique career pathways, with graduates earning between $34,453 and $59,593 annually. The state's isolation drives high living costs but also creates captive markets for local talent in hospitality, healthcare, and defense contracting. Community colleges play an outsized role, enrolling nearly 6,000 students combined and serving as affordable entry points into Hawaii's expensive higher education market.
9
Schools
$18,816
Avg. Net Price
$46,640
Avg. Earnings
41.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Urban Colleges in Hawaii

College listings
# School Setting Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 City-Large 14,306 $13,181 62.6%
2 City-Large 113 $22,668 52.4%
3 City-Large 1,897 $6,399 34.8%
4 City-Large 3,955 $5,194 20.4%
5 City-Small 1,635 $9,421 27.3%
6 City-Large 1,648 $28,061 58.1%
7 City-Large 217 $35,048 34.8%
8 City-Large 2,502 $30,557 41.2%
9 City-Large

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Hawaii at Manoa stand out among urban Hawaii colleges?

UH Manoa enrolls 14,306 students with a 62.6% graduation rate, the highest among Hawaii's urban institutions. Its $13,181 net price remains reasonable despite being the state's flagship university. Graduates earn $57,624 annually on average, reflecting strong connections to Hawaii's government and research sectors.

How do Hawaii's community colleges compare in terms of affordability and outcomes?

Kapiolani Community College offers the lowest net price at $5,194, while Honolulu Community College costs $6,399. However, graduation rates lag at 20.4% and 34.8% respectively. Despite lower completion rates, graduates from both schools earn over $44,000 annually in Hawaii's high-wage service economy.

Is Hawaii Pacific University worth its higher cost compared to public options?

Hawaii Pacific University charges $30,557 net price but delivers the highest graduate earnings at $59,593 annually. With an 87.1% acceptance rate and 2,502 students, it offers accessible private education. The 41.2% graduation rate trails UH Manoa but exceeds most community colleges significantly.

Does Chaminade University provide good value despite its private school pricing?

Chaminade's $28,061 net price yields a strong 58.1% graduation rate, second only to UH Manoa. With 1,648 students and 93.4% acceptance rate, it combines selectivity with accessibility. Graduates earn $52,343 annually, making it competitive among Hawaii's private institutions for career outcomes.

Where do most urban college students in Hawaii actually attend school?

Honolulu dominates with eight of nine urban institutions, reflecting Hawaii's concentrated population and job market. UH Manoa alone serves over half of all urban college students statewide. Only UH Maui College in Kahului provides urban alternatives outside Oahu, serving 1,635 students.

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.