Best colleges in Hawaii
Every accredited four-year college ranked by the Compass Score: outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching, from federal data.
Best colleges in Hawaii6 schools
6 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Hawaii.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Laie, HI · Private nonprofitTop 5% for low debt
- Value grade A- · Top 11%
- 53% graduate
- 2
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, HI · PublicVery good: Compass grade B+
- Value grade A- · Top 17%
- 64% graduate
- 3
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Hilo, HI · PublicTop 21% for low net price
- Value grade B+ · Top 25%
- 48% graduate
- 4
University of Hawaii-West Oahu
Kapolei, HI · PublicTop 16% for low net price
- Value grade A · Top 6%
- 50% graduate
- 5
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu, HI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- Value grade C+
- 55% graduate
- 6
Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu, HI · Private nonprofitSolid: Compass grade C+
- Value grade B-
- 35% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University-Hawaii | $16,774 | $9,413 | $52,064 | 53% |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | $15,664 | $18,500 | $57,624 | 64% |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo | $11,856 | $20,500 | $47,856 | 48% |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | $10,327 | $14,500 | $52,075 | 50% |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | $28,856 | $23,250 | $52,343 | 55% |
| Hawaii Pacific University | $29,657 | $22,000 | $59,593 | 35% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 26
- Alaska 5
- Arizona 16
- Arkansas 23
- California 128
- Colorado 26
- Connecticut 26
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 9
- Florida 61
- Georgia 60
- Idaho 9
- Illinois 57
- Indiana 45
- Iowa 30
- Kansas 27
- Kentucky 29
- Louisiana 24
- Maine 19
- Maryland 26
- Massachusetts 67
- Michigan 44
- Minnesota 40
- Mississippi 16
- Missouri 53
- Montana 10
- Nebraska 19
- Nevada 6
- New Hampshire 13
- New Jersey 36
- New Mexico 11
- New York 135
- North Carolina 55
- North Dakota 9
- Ohio 99
- Oklahoma 23
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 118
- Puerto Rico 52
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 35
- South Dakota 11
- Tennessee 43
- Texas 85
- Utah 16
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 51
- Washington 24
- West Virginia 19
- Wisconsin 36
- Wyoming 3