Colleges in Hawaii

Why go to College in Hawaii?

For many students, there's one major advantage to going to college in Hawaii: the environment. The warm weather, beautiful beaches, unique ecology, volcanic activity, and opportunity to surf are all major attractions to pursuing an education in the state of Hawaii.

Although the recreation and leisure of the Hawaiian landscape are powerful motivators, many of these environmental factors also have major impacts on the type of education that is available. Both in-person and online schools in Hawaii have strong academic programs and research opportunities in the fields of volcanology, marine biology, and indigenous studies, taking advantage of Hawaii's history and environment. In addition to its weather and rare academic programs, there are many other reasons why students choose to study at one of the eight main islands in America's 50th state.

Population

Hawaii is home to about 1.4 million residents, with nearly 400,000 living in the city of Honolulu. The population is diverse and consists of many white, Asian, and multi-ethnic residents. About 10% of the Hawaiian population is Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.

Climate

Hawaii has a tropical climate with temperatures remaining mostly in the 80s, regardless of the season. However, because Hawaii is composed of several islands, the climate can vary substantially across the state. Honolulu, where many of Hawaii's universities are located, has a rainy winter but average high temperatures above 80 degrees year-round.

Number of Higher Learning Institutions

There are 43 colleges and universities in Hawaii, including the 10 campuses that make up the University of Hawaii system. Among the notable private universities in the archipelago are BYU Hawaii and Hawaiian Pacific University.

Sporting Events

Hawaii is not home to many traditional professional sports teams, although it does feature some of the best water sports in the world. Amatuer and professional surfing, swimming, and boating are found across the islands. The University of Hawaii is home to a Division I athletics department with a football team. Additionally, the Ironman triathlon championship has been held in Hawaii since 1978.

Nightlife

With clubs, dancing, and great food, Waikiki is the heart of Hawaiian nightlife. Just down the street from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Waikiki is a fun-filled, beach-front area with ample entertainment. However, there are many other nightlife and adventure opportunities throughout the eight islands.

What Options are Available for Colleges in Hawaii?

Popular Degree Programs in Hawaii

Hawaii has some of the most unique ecosystems and geological features in the U.S. Many of the state's students pursue careers in science or local industries that involve the volcanic activity or rich sea life of the archipelago. Business is another popular major because the geographically-convenient location of the state lends itself to commercial opportunities with trade between the mainland U.S. and other Pacific nations. Government and military careers are also important in Hawaii and can be pursued by students through a variety of majors, including international relations, computer science, and engineering.

• Volcanology

  There are not many places in the U.S. where students can study volcanology by taking a short trip to visit an active volcano. Students at the University Hawaii, and many other schools, can study and conduct hands-on research related to volcanic activity.

• Marine Biology

  Studying marine biology in this tropical location allows students to observe exoctic fish, crustacians, and sea life. Conservation, fishing, and bioengineering are just some of the careers that can be pursued by students who hold a degree in marine biology.

• Business

  Business administration is one of the most popular majors in Hawaii. Many businesses located in Hawaii have international connections, especially in Asia.

• Civilization/Indigenous Studies

  Hawaii has a unique history among U.S. states because it is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and was home to a Kingdom prior to statehood. Students attending an on-campus or online college in Hawaii can study native Hawaiian literature, language, and/or culture.

What are the Best Online Colleges in Hawaii?

Deciding on a program or online school in Hawaii can be a difficult process. There are many factors to consider, from tuition costs to academic fit to potential career opportunities. The best way to decide is to learn as much information as possible about multiple programs and compare programs to one another. The following is list of the best online colleges in Hawaii, which may help make your decision easier. Each entry looks at many campus, academic, and practical variables that might impact your choice.

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1	Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu, HI		ADMISSIONS RATE 82% GRADUATION RATE 47% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 23% RETENTION RATE 74% DEFAULT RATE 9% Chaminade has fully embraced distance learning as a means to provide education to working professionals. In fact, the Office of Professional and Continuing Education offers all its undergraduate programs entirely online. The school offers degrees on a variety of topics, including business administration, criminal justice and criminology, education, English, and religious studies. These programs boast small class sizes and 10-week course terms that offer an accelerated rate of degree completion. Online courses are delivered asynchronously, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. Chaminade is one of the best online colleges in Hawaii for military students, who can take advantage of reduced tuition and receive academic credits for their military service. All online students have access to a variety of support services, including free one-on-one tutoring. Chaminade is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.	Visit Site
2	University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI		ADMISSIONS RATE 81% GRADUATION RATE 57% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 3% RETENTION RATE 78% DEFAULT RATE 5% A global educational experience awaits students at UH Manoa, the flagship campus of the state college system. Distance learners have the opportunity to engage in rigorous academics and unique research opportunities thanks to the university's coveted land, sea, and space grants. UH MAnoa is one of the best online colleges in Hawaii due to its catalog of bachelor's degrees that can be completed online or via ITV. These include an RN-to-BSN degree, a business administration program with specializations in hospitality and tourism, marketing, and accounting, as well as a public administration degree with specializations in healthcare and justice administration. There is also a BA in social sciences with specializations in early childhood education, political science, and psychology that is offered as a transfer program for students who have two years of college credit from a community college in the UH system. UH Manoa is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.	Visit Site
3	University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo, HI		ADMISSIONS RATE 71% GRADUATION RATE 39% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 6% RETENTION RATE 63% DEFAULT RATE 9% UH Hilo is one of the best online schools in Hawaii and uses video conferencing technology to offer distance learning programs to students from across the Big Island and the rest of the state. The RN-to-BSN is offered to registered nurses with courses online and clinical components completed locally. This program is only open to nurses living on Maui, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, or Hawaiʻi Islands. The curriculum includes courses on a variety of topics, such as transcultural care and health promotion, health assessment, community healthcare, and collaborative healthcare. Full-time students who have an associate degree in nursing from a UH system community college can complete the program in just three semesters with one required summer session. UH Hilo boasts small class sizes with an average student-to-faculty ratio of 18-to-1. UH Hilo is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.	Visit Site

What are the Best Online Community Colleges in Hawaii?

In addition to online schools in Hawaii that offer bachelor's, graduate, and professional degrees, there are also community colleges that have online programs. Sometimes referred to as ”junior” or “two-year” colleges, community colleges are higher education institutions that typically offer associate degrees, professional licenses, and certificate programs. Some students enroll in online community colleges to earn prerequisite credits that can be to transferred to a four-year school. Alternatively, other learners pursue terminal vocational or professional certificates. Community colleges tend to be less expensive than four-year schools but still offer many of the same foundational and core classes required for liberal arts or science degrees.

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Leeward Community College Pearl City, HI

GRADUATION RATE 16%

ONLINE ENROLLMENT 19%

RETENTION RATE 64%

DEFAULT RATE 16%

Based on the island of O'ahu, Leeward Community College in Pearl City offers associate degrees and certifications in accounting, management, retail, and teaching. To keep students on track, this online community college in Hawaii creates an intimate experience through the iLearn Leeward online support center, which facilitates education through orientations, counseling, and student guides. Leeward prides itself on bringing education to students with a variety of different backgrounds. Admission requires no SAT scores and no essays. Applicant requirements differ according to the student’s status as a transfer, incoming freshman, or military member. Students need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive financial aid.

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Education Trends in Hawaii

Hawaii spends more per person on higher education than the average state in the U.S; Hawaii's average spending per full-time student on colleges and universities is about $1,500 higher than the national average.

Hawaii also spends about twice as much of its tax revenue on higher education than the rest of the country, allocating 10.3% of its tax revenue (compared to 5.8% in the U.S.). A higher percentage of Hawaiian residents have either an associate or bachelor's degrees than the U.S. average, although the Aloha State trails the national average slightly in its percentage of graduate degree holders.

Paying for College in Hawaii

Although the specific academic program, degree type, and faculty expertise are critical concerns that should be considered when deciding between traditional or online colleges in Hawaii, cost is also a very important factor for most students. The tuition, fees, and other incidental costs must be factored into the college selection process. A student's future earning potential should also be considered.

Tuition Prices

The average in-state tuition and fees for Hawaii are slightly above the national average for both two- and four-year institutions. In addition to tuition and fees, students should keep the price of housing, food, transportation, books, and other necessities in mind when calculating the expected expense of a college program.

Financial Aid

Students in all 50 states are eligible for financial aid, which can help them pay for college in a variety of ways. Students can apply for financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. This application lets students know if they're eligible to receive any scholarships or grants from the federal government. Grants and scholarships, such as the Pell Grant, are awarded based on need or merit. These types of funding do not have to be repaid.

Financial aid can also come in the form of work-study programs, where the government pays students a stipend for work they do on campus. The federal government also give students guaranteed educational loans. Direct, subsidized, unsubsidized, Perkins, and all other financial aid loans can be used to pay for college but must be repaid after students leave school.

Cost of Living by Region

When you're trying to figure out how much college will cost, it's important to include both the tuition rates and the living expenses. The geographic location of a university greatly impacts the overall expense; some colleges have lower average rental prices while others have rents well above the national mean. Two of the University of Hawaii's campuses, at Hilo and Honolulu, clearly exemplify this issue; rents in Honolulu are more than double those in Hilo. However, Honolulu prices are far below mainland rent in San Francisco.

Cost for Online Programs in Hawaii

If you're enrolling in an online college in Hawaii, you have access to the same financial aid opportunities that are available for on-campus programs. Grants, scholarships, and student loans can all be applied toward online program costs.

Although the tuition and fees for online schools in Hawaii are typically comparable to on-campus programs, there are other ways distance learners can save on school. Online students do not have to worry about the same transportation costs, child care expenses, housing considerations in a crowded college city, or books that plague their on-campus peers.

Scholarships for Hawaii College Students

Kaimana Scholarship Program

$5,000; 15 scholarships of $5,000 are given to Hawaiian high school seniors who have a minimum 2.75 GPA, community service experience, and played a sport.

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Hawaii Community Foundation Scholarships

Variable amounts; more than 170 specific scholarships and grants are available for high school graduates from Hawaii or students with a commitment to the Aloha State.

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Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation

$16,00; available to students studying business in Hawaii - this award is given out over the course of four years.

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Henry and Joyce W. Sumid Scholarship

$5,000; must be a high school or college student with a minimum 3.0 GPA - available in Hawaii and other Western states.

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Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?

Most scholarships can be used to pay for programs at online colleges in Hawaii. Although the eligibility rules can be difficult and complicated, aid providers allow students to use scholarships and grants on most in-person or online programs. However, distance learners should check with the scholarship provider before accepting an award because there may be some restrictions.

Employment Outlook in Hawaii

Hawaii has one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hawaii has an unemployment rate of just 2.6%, which is 1.7% less than the national average. Only Colorado and North Dakota had lower unemployment rates as of May 2017. The average annual wage in Hawaii is just below the U.S. annual mean wage: $49,430 in Hawaii versus a U.S. average of $49,630.

Top Employers and Industries in Hawaii

State Exchange Programs for Hawaii College Students

A state-to-state exchange program at a U.S. college or university typically means that a student can take classes at a facility in a different state while still paying a reduced or in-state tuition rate. It does not require students to move to another school or exchange places with another student, which is typically the case for international exchange programs. Instead, it simply allows students living in participating states to take courses at a reduced rate at another participating school. These programs are designed for students who live in states with limited educational opportunities.

Accreditation for Colleges in Hawaii

When looking at schools, students should check to see whether or not an institution is accredited. A school becomes accredited after it has been judged by peer institutions and accrediting agencies; these ensure that a school meets certain criteria and is fit to educate its students and award degrees. A degree from an accredited school is viewed by other institutions and employers as legitimate.

Schools can be accredited either regionally or nationally. Of the two, regional accreditation is generally considered more prestigious. Most quality schools, whether they be not-for-profit, public, private, in-person, and/or online, are regionally accredited. Schools can be regionally accredited by one of six regional agencies in the U.S. These agencies are run by colleges and universities and are recognized as legitimate by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the Department of Education. National accreditation is usually reserved for for-profit, religious, and/or vocational colleges. Hawaii schools are regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

There are also many programs that are accredited separately from their main school. A law or medical program may be accredited by a relevant professional organization, such as the American Bar Association or the American Medical Association, indicating expertise in that specific field.