State Rankings

Best Colleges in Hawaii

Top colleges in Hawaii ranked by national standing and graduate outcomes — updated 2026.

Colleges listed: 15

Avg grad earnings: $45,447

Public / Private: 10 / 5

Top Colleges in Hawaii

Nationally ranked schools appear first. Remaining schools are ordered by median graduate earnings.

State #	School	Type	Grad Earnings	Admit Rate	SAT Avg	Grad Rate	Out-of-State
1	University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu#553 national	Public	$57,624	69.7%	1,157	62.6%	$34,218
2	Brigham Young University-Hawaii Laie#665 national	Private	$52,064	37.9%	1,104	54.4%	$6,438
3	Kapiolani Community College Honolulu#825 national	Public	$44,599	N/A	N/A	N/A	$8,420
4	Honolulu Community College Honolulu#837 national	Public	$45,105	N/A	N/A	N/A	$8,310
5	Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu#1210 national	Private	$52,343	92.6%	1,155	58.1%	$29,970
6	Leeward Community College Pearl City#1216 national	Public	$39,899	N/A	N/A	N/A	$8,350
7	University of Hawaii-West Oahu Kapolei#1262 national	Public	$52,075	95.6%	1,120	46.8%	$20,544
8	Windward Community College Kaneohe#1371 national	Public	$38,439	N/A	N/A	N/A	$8,330
9	Kauai Community College Lihue#1397 national	Public	$36,868	N/A	N/A	N/A	$8,388
10	University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo#1657 national	Public	$47,856	89.8%	1,025	41.6%	$20,798
11	Hawaii Community College Hilo#1677 national	Public	$34,891	N/A	N/A	N/A	$8,340
12	Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu#1750 national	Private	$59,593	84.5%	1,180	41.2%	$33,020
13	University of Hawaii Maui College Kahului#2523 national	Public	$34,453	N/A	N/A	27.3%	$8,420
14	Columbia College - USCG Base Honolulu Honolulu	Private	$45,378	N/A	N/A	N/A	$8,304
15	Pacific Rim Christian University Honolulu	Private	$40,523	N/A	N/A	52.4%	$12,380

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Excludes for-profit institutions.

Use CollegeBound's interactive compare tool to see admissions, costs, and outcome data side by side for any schools in Hawaii or beyond.