The 7 Cheapest Colleges in Hawaii
What’s Covered:
- The Seven Cheapest Colleges in Hawaii
- Tips for Saving Money on College
- How Much Will You Pay for College?
With great weather, rich culture, and idyllic beaches, Hawaii is a dream destination for many college-bound students. Earning a degree in paradise sounds expensive, but it’s possible to make it affordable by selecting the right school and employing a smart money-saving strategy.
If you aspire to combine college life with island life, check out these affordable schools in Hawaii.
The Seven Cheapest Colleges in Hawaii
1. Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $6,630/$6,630
Location: Laie, HI
Acceptance Rate: 38%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,836
Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYU-Hawaii) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The university integrates academics and career preparation with spiritual and secular enrichment. The cost of attendance at BYU–Hawaii varies based on church affiliation. LDS students pay $284 per credit, while non-members pay $568 per credit—double the rate.
Undergraduates at BYU–Hawaii are required to follow an honor code, which prohibits alcohol, recreational drugs, tobacco, coffee, and tea. Students are also expected to refrain from premarital sex and the use of profanity.
Learn more about Brigham Young University-Hawaii and what it takes to get accepted.
2. University of Hawaii-West Oahu
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $7,584/$20,544
Location: Kapolei, HI
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,863
Founded in 1976, the University of Hawaii–West Oahu is home to nearly 3,000 undergraduates. The university embraces Native Hawaiian culture and traditions while welcoming students from all backgrounds and offering programs aligned with the job market.
The university offers nine bachelor’s degree programs, which are:
- Applied Science
- Business Administration
- Creative Media
- Cybersecurity
- Education
- Humanities
- Natural Science
- Public Administration
- Social Science
Among these nine programs, it offers 46 concentrations.
Learn more about the University of Hawaii-West Oahu and what it takes to get accepted.
3. University of Hawaii at Hilo
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $7,838/$20,798
Location: Hilo, HI
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,242
The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) is one of the three University of Hawaii system university campuses (the system also includes seven community colleges). UH Hilo is located about 200 air miles from Honolulu on the island of Hawai’i.
Ten of the world’s 14 climate zones are found on the Island of Hawaiʻi, which puts UH Hilo at the center of a living laboratory and is ideally situated for the study of volcanoes, astronomy, agriculture, marine science, and other natural sciences. Thanks in part to its location, UH Hilo attracts students from all over—the islands, the mainland, and internationally—and has earned a reputation for fielding an extremely ethnically diverse student body.
Learn more about the University of Hawaii at Hilo and what it takes to get accepted.
4. University of Hawaii at Manoa | UH Manoa
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $12,186/$34,218
Location: Honolulu, HI
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 14,576
The University of Hawaii at Manoa is the flagship campus of the University of Hawaii System. UH Manoa is one of roughly 185 R1 universities (the highest classification for research) in the U.S. In fact, UH Manoa has its own research island—Coconut Island.
UH Manoa has played a significant role in government—44% of Hawaii state senators are graduates, while 51% of state representatives count themselves among the university’s alumni. UH Manoa is another school of the University of Hawaii system with a reputation for fielding ethnically diverse classes.
Learn more about the University of Hawaii at Manoa and what it takes to get accepted.
5. Pacific Rim Christian University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $13,580/$13,580
Location: Honolulu, HI
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 114
Pacific Rim Christian University (PacRim) provides a Christ-centered education to students who aspire to become Christian leaders. PacRim offers six in-person bachelor’s degrees:
- Bible and Creative Arts
- Bible and Christian Ministry
- Bible and Pastoral Ministry
- Bible and Christian Counseling
- Theology
- Theological Studies
PacRim is a fairly new institution—its roots were laid in 1995, however, it wasn’t officially established and accredited until 2015.
Learn more about Pacific Rim Christian University and what it takes to get accepted.
6. Chaminade University of Honolulu
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $30,874/$30,874
Location: Honolulu, HI
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,764
Chaminade University of Honolulu is one of just three Marianist colleges in the U.S. Marianists are a type of Catholic who believes in educating the heart and mind to create learning that lasts and inspiring relationships that serve.
Chaminade University has taken numerous steps to earn its place among the cheapest colleges in Hawaii. For example, local high school graduates can attend the school at the resident tuition rate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Furthermore, 100% of Chaminade undergraduates receive some form of financial aid, with the average award package totaling $14,216. Chaminade University is a Native Hawaiian-serving institution.
Learn more about Chaminade University of Honolulu and what it takes to get accepted.
7. Hawaii Pacific University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $34,392/$34,392
Location: Honolulu, HI
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,814
Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) has grown considerably since its first class of seven students graduated in 1972. Today, HPU is the largest private university in the state, home to almost 4,000 undergraduates, and attracts students from all 50 states and more than 40 countries. HPU offers more than 30 programs to undergraduates through its six colleges:
- College of Business
- College of Health and Sciences
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Natural and Computational Sciences
- College of Professional Studies
- School of Nursing
In addition to its main campus in downtown Honolulu, HPU has a suburban campus in the foothills of O‘ahu’s Ko‘olau mountains and an aquaculture research facility on the ocean.
Learn more about Hawaii Pacific University and what it takes to get accepted.
Tips for Saving Money on College
Inflation is most noticeable at places like the gas pump and grocery stores, but those expenses ripple throughout the entire economy and colleges are not immune. In fact, since 1983, the cost of college has risen faster than any other household expense. Luckily, there are some easy ways to control college costs.
1. Graduate On Time
Graduating on time is one of the best steps college students can take to cut down on college expenses. Roughly a fifth of students who earn bachelor’s degrees (21.5%) take more than four years to complete their program—and incur a variety of extra expenses.
2. Get a Head Start on College
Dual-enrollment programs allow students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously, while many colleges award credit to students who earn a 3 or 4 on their AP exams.
3. Start at Community College
Attending community college is substantially less expensive than going to a four-year school. The average annual tuition and fees at community college in 2024-2025 were $4,050, compared to $11,610 at in-state, four-year public colleges.
Transferring to a four-year college after completing general education requirements at a community college is a smart strategy for saving on college costs.
4. Choose a School that Meets 100% of Demonstrated Need
Schools that meet 100% of demonstrated need commit to helping students meet their financial needs through some combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. They also help students avoid expensive private loans.
5. Seek Out Scholarships
Earning scholarships is a proven strategy to lower college costs. While big-name scholarships attract a lot of attention, smaller regional and niche awards often have less competition and provide better odds of winning.
Also, look to the schools themselves for scholarship dollars—colleges and universities fund $175 billion in scholarships annually compared to just $11 billion provided by other organizations.
How Much Will You Pay for College?
The overwhelming majority of students don’t pay the sticker price for college—the New York Times Magazine reported that 89% of students don’t pay the full price—so you can’t trust the sticker price to tell you your personal cost of attendance. Net price is a better indicator of what college will actually cost. You can discover the net price you can expect college to cost based on your individual financial circumstances using CollegeVine’s free financial aid calculator.
Our free Chancing Engine will tell you your chances of acceptance based on your grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and demographics. Together, these tools can help you to improve your profile and plan for your college finances!
