2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges in Hawaii

About

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Chaminade University of Honolulu	1817	51.87	970 – 1,140	27695	48660	#1 2026 Best Colleges in Hawaii Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu, HI Business Administration and Management, General is a popular program at the Chaminade University of Honolulu, which offers up to Doctor's degrees. This Roman Catholic school was founded by the Society of Mary in 1955. 201 athletes, known as Silverswords, compete in the Pacific West Conference. Undergraduates 1,817 Acceptance Rate 51.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $27,695 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,660
2	University of Hawaii at Manoa	14576	69.67	1,070 – 1,290	14557	45701	#2 2026 Best Colleges in Hawaii University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI Found in Honolulu, the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s acceptance rate is 70% and requires $70 for undergraduate applications and $100 for graduate applications. Approximately 63% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At the University of Hawaii at Manoa, there is a 76% first year retention rate and a......Read more Undergraduates 14,576 Acceptance Rate 69.7% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $14,557 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,701
3	Brigham Young University-Hawaii	2836	37.87	1,100 – 1,240	17887	39316	#3 2026 Best Colleges in Hawaii Brigham Young University-Hawaii Laie, HI Located in Laie, Brigham Young University-Hawaii accepted 38% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $30 for undergraduate applications. About 48% of students at Brigham Young University-Hawaii will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 2,836 Acceptance Rate 37.9% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $17,887 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,316
4	University of Hawaii at Hilo	2292	60.07	880 – 1,130	12936	37204	#4 2026 Best Colleges in Hawaii University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo, HI Based in Hilo, the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s acceptance rate is 60%. They request $50 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 57% of students at the University of Hawaii at Hilo will receive grant aid from the school. The institution’s first year retention rate is 72% and 27% of students......Read more Undergraduates 2,292 Acceptance Rate 60.1% SAT Score 880 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $12,936 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,204
5	Hawaii Pacific University	3533	85.87	1,010 – 1,230	32204	48773	#5 2026 Best Colleges in Hawaii Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI Located in Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University’s acceptance rate is 86%. They request $45 for undergraduate applications. About 99% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. At Hawaii Pacific University, there is a 56% first year retention rate and around 31% of undergraduates will earn their degree within......Read more Undergraduates 3,533 Acceptance Rate 85.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $32,204 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,773
6	University of Hawaii-West Oahu	2863	95.6	880 – 1,100	11881	44352	#6 2026 Best Colleges in Hawaii University of Hawaii-West Oahu Kapolei, HI Located in Kapolei, the University of Hawaii-West Oahu accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $50 for undergraduate applications. About 59% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 2,863 Acceptance Rate 95.6% SAT Score 880 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $11,881 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,352
7	Pacific Rim Christian University	114	70	--	22668	63721	#7 2026 Best Colleges in Hawaii Pacific Rim Christian University Honolulu, HI Based in Honolulu, Pacific Rim Christian University accepts 70% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 86% of students attending Pacific Rim Christian University currently receive grant aid from the school. 60% of students continued their studies at Pacific Rim Christian University......Read more Undergraduates 114 Acceptance Rate 70.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $22,668 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
8	University of Hawaii Maui College	2647	84.49	--	9479	28263	#8 2026 Best Colleges in Hawaii University of Hawaii Maui College Kahului, HI Undergraduates 2,647 Acceptance Rate 84.5% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $9,479 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $28,263