Top 5 Universities to Go to In Hawaii

Hawaii offers a unique study opportunity for American students. Many of the plants and species in the area are unique to the planet, and the surrounding ocean boasts a variety of outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. If you are moving to Hawaii, you will be among the luckiest to see versatile landscapes of mountains and cliffs, lush forests, and stunning beaches.

While Hawaii is a popular tourist destination, it offers a decent post-secondary education. Here are the best 5 universities in Hawaii you may consider for your studies.

The Oldest and Largest Public Educational Institution

This Hawaii University at Manoa is in the top 300 universities in the world (According to Times Higher Education). It’s likely the first institution on your list if you want to attend a college in Aloha State. The UH Manoa was launched in 1907 as a technical college but has grown into a large scientific center with 14,120 undergraduate enrollments in 2021.

The most popular majors are:

Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Asian Studies
Social Sciences
Business Management and Marketing
Health Professions
Education
Foreign Languages and Literature
Computer and Information Sciences

Apart from Master’s degree programs, there are 63 disciplines for doctorate students. According to the international rating, the Hawaii University at Manoa is in the top 5% of the best universities worldwide, with 65% of Americans, 30% Asian, and 5% Europeans. The enrollment level is 70%, and the average tuition fee for Baccalaureate studies is $34,218.

Why should you consider UH of Hawaii at Manoa? Many students who graduated from the university praise its Law, Pharmacy, and Medical School. If you are interested in ocean sciences, tropical agriculture, astronomy, and geophysics, then it’s worth considering the school as it’s known to excel in these subjects. The university is No.12 in the world in oceanography.

The Largest Private University In the Pacific Region

Established in 1965, Hawaii Pacific University is the largest private educational institution throughout the Pacific region, offering robust military, technical, and maritime training. So if you are into a military career, HPU should certainly be on your list.

The university has two main campuses – one in downtown Honolulu and the other in Hawaii Loa, near the Junction Castle in Kaneohe. It also has campuses at US military bases, including Pearl Harbor, Camp Smith, Hickam Air Forces Base, Tripler Army Medical Center, Schofield Barracks, and the Hawaii base at Kaneohe Marine. Moreover, the university cooperates with the Ocean Institute allowing students to participate in research programs related to marine and ocean disciplines.

HPU graduates are highly skilled professionals who easily find work as civil servants, medical workers, and officers with military tactics knowledge. The median tuition fee is $31,940.

Best for Studying Art, Religion, and Teacher Training

Religious studies have a special place in this private educational institution. Opened in 1955, Chaminade University was awarded the Roman Catholic Order for contributions to art, religion, and teacher training.

The university’s main focus is human sciences, with 90% of Americans and 10% of international students from Asia and the Pacific Islands. The tuition cost fee is $28,544, which is cheaper compared to the national average cost.

Popular disciplines are:

Business and Finance
Teacher Training
Philosophy
Linguistics
Interior design
International law
Religion

The Oldest and the Most Affordable Private University

Brigham Young University is a private institution located approximately 35 miles from Honolulu. The University is associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It bears the name of Brigham Young, the religious leader, the first governor of the Utah Territory, and the founder of Salt Lake City. It was founded in 1875 and gained the status of a university in 1905.

The most prominent establishment of the university is a Polynesian Cultural Center – the biggest museum of Polynesian traditions in the state of Hawaii. This place is the greatest tourist attraction. Over 30% of students pay tuition ($6,068) while working in the center.

The campus is very diverse. According to BYU, 131 languages are spoken at the university, and 65% of students speak a second language. Other interesting facts:

95.5% are US citizens
30% of American students are from Utah
4.5% international students

University of Hawaii – West Oahu

University of Hawaii – West Oahu (UHWO) is another military-friendly public university established in 1976. UHWO offers a variety of disciplines across divisions of Humanities, Business Administration, Public Administration, and Social Science.

Are you interested in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)? The university offers great Aerospace and Military Science instruction in affiliation with the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM).

The campus is located in Kapolei, home to exciting attractions unique to the area. It has the new Disney Aulani Resort, the only large water park on the island, a golf club, and plenty of restaurants and shopping sites.

The annual tuition fee is $20,544.