Best Colleges in Hawaii for Associate, Bachelor’s & Master’s

Hawaii College Guide – What You Need to Know

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Hawaii is a one of the smaller states in the U.S., but that doesn't mean it is lacking in education. In fact, it is home to a robust state university system, a healthy community college system, and several private colleges. In fact, the small size of the state has the direct result of yielding smaller colleges and universities. While you can still graduate with a top-notch education from a wide range of degree programs, your class sizes will be smaller, and your relationships with your fellow students far more intimate.

If, however, you wish to travel off the island for college, you can study at a public university for in-state tuition, thanks to the Western Undergraduate Exchange program. Thus, you can attend college in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and many other schools that are part of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. The converse applies, in case you live in an applicable state and wish to study in Hawaii.

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What are the most popular bachelor's degrees offered in Hawaii?

Students in Hawaii wish to pursue the same sorts of professions as students in the rest of the U.S. They have dreams of succeeding in business, becoming healthcare providers, or running a hospital. Hawaiians might put their own particular spin on how those careers manifest. For instance, many who pursue business might find themselves in the hotel/resort industry or some part of the state’s flourishing tourism trade. Engineers might work more with maritime issues than their counterparts, and accountants might do taxes for more suntanned surf-shop owners than the average CPA.

Top Majors in Hawaii:

Education Level & National Average Median Compensation

NO FORMAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ASSOCIATE DEGREE BACHELOR’S DEGREE MASTER’S DEGREE DOCTORAL DEGREE
$30,784* $38,792* $46,124* $64,896* $77,844* $96,772*
*National Average Earnings by Degree Level
delaware-National-Average-earning-by-educational-attainment

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Most Popular Degrees and Careers in Hawaii

The professions that show the highest growth rates in Hawaii tend to be health sciences professions. Fields like occupational therapy and nursing for instance, are showing marked growth. However, other fields remain strong, though their growth is currently steady and not as prone to dramatic increases.

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Top Accounting Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Tax Preparers 320 $45,000
IRS Agent 90 $77,500
Financial Adviser 640 $59,700
Financial Managers 282 $92,400
Management Analysts 2,010 $67,400
  • Tax Preparers: In this profession, you will work with your employer or individuals to help them file their tax documents in a timely fashion. When you achieve your CPA license, you will be able to sign off on tax documents for individuals and corporations alike.
  • IRS Agent: As a tax examiner and collector, you will assess IRS filings to determine if more tax is yet owed, or if a refund is due. If you graduate with a degree in accounting, you can work for the IRS as a way to defer your student loans.
  • Financial Adviser: Everyone wants to increase their wealth and so they consult with financial advisers to discover investment strategies that will maximize their savings. With an accounting background and a Series 7 license from the SEC, you can help your clients with equity purchases, tax advice, and tactics for protecting their funds for the long term.
  • Financial Managers: As a financial manager, you will direct how an organization handles its assets and liabilities. You will need a keen sense of how to invest in both equities and hard assets, such as real estate. Financial managers also assess other comparable companies to discover potential targets for acquisition or to otherwise structure merger activities.
  • Management Analysts: Many accounting students work as management analysts or consultants. In this position, you will likely conduct audits of companies and departments to discover financial or other inefficiencies. Your ultimate job will be to reduce a company's costs so as to raise the bottom line and overall create a healthier business entity.
  • Accountants

Best Hawaii Schools for Accounting

  • Chaminade University of Hawaii
  • Hawaii Pacific University
  • University of Phoenix Hawaii
  • University of Hawaii at Manoa

Top Business Careers and Salaries

Bookkeeper
Career Name Number of Jobs AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Marketing 670 $65,900
Logistician 440 $58,500
Management - $87,700
Computer Information Systems 990 $77,300
5,970 $43,500
  • Marketing: In this position, you will analyze data to gain insight that will drive your firm's sales. You might also become involved with creating marketing materials such as websites, advertisements, or even multi-media presentations. With your knowledge of demographics and consumer trends, you will discover new markets and expand the bottom line for your employer.
  • Logistician: Some MBA programs offer full concentrations in this field. Essentially what this profession does is to analyze the best way to ship goods. You might need to ship out products to overseas customers, receive raw materials from far-flung locales, or overcome problems in the supply chain, such as weather or even legal difficulties.
  • Management: Since managers are found in all industries and professions, you will likely need begin your climb into management through working in the field. You could begin as a worker in an IT department, for instance, and then rise to manage that department. For this reason, many mid-career workers return to school for an MBA so that they can make this transition.
  • Computer Information Systems: This position is tasked with bridging the gap between human workers and the data they need. You could discover that your traveling sales force needs specific data delivered to their mobiles. The solution would be an app for them that can help them stay focused on exactly what they need while out in the field.
  • Bookkeeper: Financial ledgers are the backbone of any strong business. To ensure that all payouts and incoming revenues are accounted for, businesses hire bookkeepers, sometimes whole fleets of bookkeepers. This position is a subset of the accounting world, as the ledgers prepared by the bookkeeping staff are handed up to CPAs who perform audits and use the figures to prepare tax documents.
  • Business Professional
  • Business Manager
  • Business Administrator
  • Entrepreneur
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Finance Professional
  • Organizational Leader
  • Project Manager

Best Hawaii Schools for Business

  • Hawaii Pacific University
  • University of Phoenix – Hawaii
  • University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Brigham Young University-Hawaii
  • Chaminade University of Honolulu

Top Engineering Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Civil Engineer 2,050 $67,100
Electrical Engineer 990 $76,400
Marine Engineer 90 $79,200
Environmental Engineer 200 $66,100
CAD Technician 400 $47,500
  • Civil Engineer: Civil Engineers make the structures you use every single day. They create the plans for the roads you drive, the bridges you cross, and even the stadiums where you cheer your favorite team. These days you might work on projects where you need to rebuild bridges or bring back areas devastated by floods, fires, or even hurricanes.
  • Electrical Engineer: If you pursue Electrical Engineering, you could work on the cellphone infrastructure, design electrical systems for buildings that include data lines as well as raw power.
  • Marine Engineer: Hawaii is one of the few states where you'll find Marine Engineers. When ships come to port in Hawaii, you might help them with a new propulsion system or you might contract with the Navy to give an aircraft carrier a retrofit with new electrical systems designed especially for ocean-going vessels. On the other hand, you might spend your time working on leisure boats.
  • Environmental Engineer: As an Environmental Engineer, you will perhaps device contraptions that create alternative energy, improve recycling efforts, or create cleaner water for entire populations.
  • CAD Technician: Engineers are very busy, so they often employ CAD Technicians to operate the Computer-Assisted Design software. As a CAD Technician, you will help engineers turn their ideas into working plans for construction crews, and other workers, who put it all together.
  • Software Engineer

Best Hawaii Schools for Engineering

  • University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Hawaii Pacific University
  • University of Hawaii Maui College
  • Honolulu Community College

Top Healthcare Administration Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Medical and Health Services Managers 1,540 $69,400
Financial Analyst 1,220 $61,400
Healthcare Informatics 1,070 $68,400
Communications - $52,900
Medical Equipment Sales 670 $59,500
  • Medical and Health Services Managers: While they might seem to perform many of the same functions as other managers, when you prepare for this profession you will be steeped in healthcare knowledge. After all, you will be tasked with not only serving the bottom line, but also with delivering top-notch medical care.
  • Financial Analyst: Financial departments are great at seeing where to cut costs. However, if you are working in a hospital, it is imperative that you understand the full importance of each position and equipment purchase. For that reason, you will want to study healthcare administration so that you have that sort of knowledge. Your bottom line is excellent patient care.
  • Healthcare Informatics: As a Healthcare Informatics professional, you will help doctors and administrators understand the data so that they can make their best decisions. For instance, you could discover certain trends in spending or certain sorts of health issues that your hospital treats on a cyclical basis.
  • Communications: In the healthcare field, you can put your communications expertise to use by crafting the messages that convey confidence to patients, and also bring good news to far-flung departments who rarely meet.
  • Medical Equipment Sales: In medical equipment sales, you will sell the tools that help doctors diagnose patients and the prosthetics that help patients walk.
  • Healthcare Administration

Best Hawaii Schools for Health Administration

  • Hawaii Pacific University
  • University of Phoenix – Hawaii
  • University of Hawaii at Manoa

Top Health Sciences Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Occupational Therapist 300 $66,600
Physical Therapist 790 $71,500
Radiologist 660 $309,700
Medical Assistant 4,340 $34,300
Nurse Practitioner 420 $97,500
  • Occupational Therapist: If you want to help a wide range of people recover from any number of setbacks, Occupational Therapy is the career for you. OTs work with elderly patients battling dementia, on mental health wards, and with anyone who needs to reintegrate with their life after a traumatic injury or illness.
  • Physical Therapist: When people are injured or suffer a loss of mobility due to illness, Physical Therapists help them regain their ability to move. As a PT, you might help people work with newfound prosthetic limbs, or help paraplegics optimize their wheelchairs. This is a growing field in Hawaii.
  • Radiologist: As a radiologist, you might work to help doctors by performing MRIs, PET scans, and X-rays. Your hard work and attention to detail will help people detect problems before they get worse, potentially saving many lives.
  • Medical Assistant: While in this work, you will assist doctors and nurses with examinations and work in the office with medical records, scheduling, and more. MAs are a vital part of the healthcare industry.
  • Nurse Practitioner: Sometimes nurse practitioners operate clinics and see patients all day without a doctor present. However, their practices are signed off on by a doctor in their office or elsewhere. In this profession, you can perform almost all of the functions a doctor might, yet not bear the full responsibility of an M.D.
  • Counselor
  • Psychologist
  • Mental Health Counselor
  • School Counselor‎
  • Substance Abuse Counselor

Best Hawaii Schools for Health Sciences

  • University of Hawaii at Hilo
  • University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Hawaii Pacific University

Additional Careers in Hawaii

Want to See All the Hawaii Occupational Wage Averages

Occupations with the highest forecasted growth rate in Hawaii

Healthcare and health science professions have taken the top spots in terms of growth rate. Hawaii has also seen great growth in fields such as technology, engineering, education, and even real estate. If your dream job is not listed below, don't fret. Keep in mind that a profession staffed by two workers can show a 50 percent increase when they add one person to their ranks.

Occupation Growth Rate
Occupational Therapy Assistants 50%
Veterinary Technicians 49%
Physical Therapy Assistants 45%
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers 39%
Funeral Service Managers 29%
Respiratory Therapists 28%
Cardiovascular Technologists/Technicians 28%
Registered Nurses 19%
Dental Hygienists 17%
Preschool Teachers 16%

Best Associate Degrees in Hawaii

Best Associate Degrees in Hawaii
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Hawaii community colleges are great sources for the best associate degrees in a variety of areas including accounting, business, sustainable agriculture, STEM, entrepreneurship, hospitality and tourism, IT, nursing, and many others. These degrees can help students move directly into an entry-level position in some industries, into a trade career where they can gain real world experience, or into a bachelor’s degree program that will only take two more years to complete. See our entire list of the best colleges for associate degrees in Hawaii.

Honolulu Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
3,510		 Graduation Rate
28%		 Net Price
$8,345 		Grads Salary
$35,700
Kapiolani Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
6,488		 Graduation Rate
22%		 Net Price
$6,411 		Grads Salary
$44,500
Kauai Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
1,373		 Graduation Rate
25%		 Net Price
$9,446 		Grads Salary
$38,400
Leeward Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
6,568		 Graduation Rate
23%		 Net Price
$8,010 		Grads Salary
$38,700
University of Hawaii Maui College
College Type
4-year, primarily associate's, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
2,936		 Graduation Rate
25%		 Net Price
$11,471 		Grads Salary
$39,300
Windward Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
2,520		 Graduation Rate
22%		 Net Price
$10,457 		Grads Salary
$35,500
Hawaii Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,615		 Graduation Rate
27%		 Net Price
$12,759 		Grads Salary
$31,100

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Best Bachelor's Degrees in Hawaii

Best Bachelor's Degrees in Hawaii
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The top bachelor’s programs in Hawaii are spread throughout the islands. Some of the most popular and reputable programs in the state are in highly specialized areas such as film, logistics, aeronautics and aviation, health professions, database management, and many more. Check out our full list of excellent colleges below to find the perfect college or university with the perfect degree program for you. With a bachelor’s degree, you’ll be ready to enter positions and earn promotions in your chosen career.

Brigham Young University-Hawaii
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
3,096		 Graduation Rate
67%		 Net Price
$13,998 		Grads Salary
$65,200
University of Hawaii at Manoa
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
17,490		 Graduation Rate
62%		 Net Price
$15,193 		Grads Salary
$68,100
University of Hawaii at Hilo
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
3,372		 Graduation Rate
38%		 Net Price
$13,969 		Grads Salary
$65,500
Chaminade University of Honolulu
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,167		 Graduation Rate
59%		 Net Price
$24,933 		Grads Salary
$64,000
University of Hawaii-West Oahu
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
3,049		 Graduation Rate
39%		 Net Price
$14,351 		Grads Salary
$56,800
Hawaii Pacific University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
4,170		 Graduation Rate
46%		 Net Price
$29,827 		Grads Salary
$76,000
University of Hawaii Maui College
College Type
4-year, primarily associate's, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
2,936		 Graduation Rate
25%		 Net Price
$11,471 		Grads Salary
$57,000
University of Phoenix-Hawaii
College Type
4-year, Private for-profit		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
197		 Graduation Rate
19%		 Net Price
$14,508 		Grads Salary
NA

Best Master's Degrees in Hawaii

Best Master's Degrees in Hawaii
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Advanced degrees in Hawaii are widely available at both the master’s degree and doctoral degree levels. Students can select from a variety of colleges and universities that offer superior programs in the most popular fields including medical degrees, nursing, psychology, social sciences, criminal justice, engineering, mathematics, biology and more. Below is a list of the best masters and doctorate college programs in Hawaii. Another option available to students is a master of business administration in Hawaii, learn more here.

University of Hawaii at Manoa
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
17,490		 Graduation Rate
62%		 Net Price
$15,193 		Grads Salary
$68,100
University of Hawaii at Hilo
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
3,372		 Graduation Rate
38%		 Net Price
$13,969 		Grads Salary
$65,500
Chaminade University of Honolulu
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,167		 Graduation Rate
59%		 Net Price
$24,933 		Grads Salary
$64,000
Hawaii Pacific University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
4,170		 Graduation Rate
46%		 Net Price
$29,827 		Grads Salary
$76,000
University of Phoenix-Hawaii
College Type
4-year, Private for-profit		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
197		 Graduation Rate
19%		 Net Price
$14,508 		Grads Salary
NA

Cost of Hawaii College Education & Salaries

Education is a costly proposition. In fact, the vast majority of students must take out some sort of loan in order to complete their degrees in a timely fashion. While there are programs that help you work off your loan obligation by working in either the nonprofit or public sector, most will enter private businesses and thus need to start paying back their loans approximately six months after graduation.

When you start looking for colleges and universities for your bachelor's degree, try to remain in-state. However, if you find that the programs in Hawaii don't provide what you need, you should look to other states. When you look to the mainland, try to focus on public schools in the WICHE region that offer in-state tuition to students from other member states. For instance, you can attend college in California, Oregon, Washington, or Arizona for their standard in-state fees. Other states are part of the program, too.

There are other ways to reduce or contain costs, such as attending community colleges for your core courses, applying for scholarships or grants, and finding employers who provide tuition assistance. If you choose a community college, you might be able to graduate with an associate's degree in your chosen field that will allow you to work and gain experience while you complete a bachelor's degree. If you study accounting, for instance, you might be able to work part-time as a bookkeeper while completing an accounting or business degree.

Ultimately, your education will likely be costly but it is always worth it to pursue your dreams. Not only will you find personal fulfillment in your career, you will find that your salary more than makes up for any short-term financial sacrifices you must make. Any degree is a worthwhile investment in yourself and your future.

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College Cost Analysis - Hawaii vs National

Average Hawaii Tuition & Fees at 4 Year Public Schools

In-State Tuition - $9,952

National Average – $9,580

Out-of-State Tuition – $31,581

National Average – $27,437

Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid – 63%

Financial Aid Received Federal Grants Average $ per Recipient
Hawaii 40% $12,602
Nationally 37.7% $10,927

Institutional aid represents grant and scholarship funds directly awarded by a post-secondary institution.
* Financial aid data represents 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Best Scholarships for Hawaii

NHSA

Native Hawaiian Scholarship ʻAha

Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 1
https://www.oha.org/scholarships
If you are a native Hawaiian and are headed to a school in the University of Hawaii system, there are approximately 200 scholarships available to outstanding students. To qualify, you must demonstrate financial need, have a minimum GPA of 2.0 if you are studying for a bachelor's degree and 3.0 if you are working towards a graduate degree. The scholarship committee gives priority to students studying STEM subjects, who are non-traditional students, first-generation college students, and to education majors – especially if you intend to teach a STEM subject.

UHS_logo

UHS

University of Hawaii Scholarships

Amount: Various
Deadline: March 1
https://www.hawaii.edu/tuition/scholarships/
There are a number of scholarships available to University of Hawaii students, including campus-specific scholarships, community college scholarships, system-wide scholarships, and five scholarships for the University Hawaii at Manoa. You can apply to them all with a single online application form.

HSFS_logo

HSFS

Hawaii Softball Foundation Scholarship

Amount: $1,000 (Up to 6 Awards)
Deadline: May 4
https://www.hawaiisoftballfoundation.org/news/apply-now-2018-scholarships
If you are a high school softball player, this is the scholarship for you. The Softball Foundation awards up to six $1,000 scholarships to student-athletes, and this number may indeed rise in the future. Soon, they may be able to help a whole team pay for books and tuition.

HASSP_logo

HASSP

Horatio Alger State Scholarship Program

Amount: $10,000
Deadline: August 1, October 25
https://scholars.horatioalger.org/about-our-scholarship-programs/state-scholarships/
This scholarship program is intended to help students who have overcome particular difficulty and obstacles in their youth. To help them achieve success and realize their dreams, the foundation awards $10,000 annual awards to qualifying students. To qualify, you must demonstrate financial need, be enrolled as a high school senior, display integrity and perseverance, maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, and demonstrate your strong desire to achieve a bachelor's degree.

TTS_logo

TTS

The Takitani Scholarship

Amount: $2,000 (+ an additional $3,000 Award for the top applicants)
Deadline: Various (many deadlines, check website for details)
http://takitanifoundation.org/for-students/
If you are a high school senior with plans to attend college, this is a relatively easy scholarship to apply for. You’ll need to turn an application into your college counselor and be designated as your school’s selection for the award.

UTWNHS

UH Tuition Waivers for Native Hawaiian Students

Amount: The cost of up to 15 Credits
Deadline: N/A
https://hawaii.edu/kuaana/kua%CA%BBana-tuition-waiver/
If you are a native Hawaiian headed to the University of Hawaii – Maui College, you may qualify for tuition waivers. To apply, you must fill out a FAFSA form to demonstrate financial need and be enrolled in UH-Maui for half-time or greater. The fund can waive up to 15 credits per semester of lower division tuition at UH-Maui.

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