Top Hawaii Colleges and Universities

About this article
Hawaii is located in the Pacific Ocean and is the southernmost U.S. state. The state has several excellent universities and colleges, five of which are described below.
View available schools

Top Five Schools in Hawaii

University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaii at Manoa is located about three miles inland from the state capital, Honolulu, in Manoa. The university was founded in 1907 as a land grant college of agriculture mechanical arts. Today, the university has about 14,030 undergraduates. Best known for its studies in agriculture and human resources, the university is one of the only universities focusing on tropical agriculture. It is the only university in Hawaii to compete in NCAA Division I.

Hawaii Pacific University

Hawaii Pacific University is the largest university in the central pacific and is located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Hawaii Pacific University was founded as Hawaii Pacific College on September 17, 1965. The university currently has approximately 6,850 undergraduates. Hawaii Pacific University offers a standard liberal arts education, and its two largest degree programs are in nursing and business administration. Though the university isn't known for its sports teams, the dance and cheerleading teams have won several national championships.

University of Hawaii at Hilo

The University of Hawaii at Hilo was founded as Hawaii Vocational College in 1941. Located in Hilo, Hawaii, the university currently has approximately 3,270 undergraduate students. The University of Hawaii at Hilo has strong academic programs in marine biology, volcanology, astronomy and Hawaiian studies and was the first university in the U.S. to offer a degree in an indigenous language (Hawaiian). The University of Hawaii sports teams participate in NCAA Division II in several different sports.

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Chaminade University of Honolulu was founded in 1955 by the Society of Mary with Father Robert Mackey, and it remains the only Catholic Marianist University in the Pacific. Located in the Kaimuki district of Honolulu, it currently has approximately 2,090 undergraduate students. Chaminade University has several excellent academic programs, including business, communication, criminal justice, forensic science, interior design and religious studies. U.S. News and World Report ranked Chaminade as one of the top three most diverse universities.

Brigham Young University of Hawaii

Brigham Young University was founded in September of 1955 by the ninth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, David O. McKay. Located in La'ie on the island of O'ahu about 35 miles from Honolulu, the Hawaii state capital, Brigham Young University has about 2,470 undergraduate students. The university's strongest academic program is international business and commerce, followed by accounting. Brigham Young University participates in 11 varsity sports and has won 24 national championships.

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Quantitative Research
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Qualitative Research)
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Quantitative Research)
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
      • Education Specialist in Teaching and Learning
    Master's
      • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors
      • MA in Curriculum and Instruction
      • MS in Psychology: General Psychology
      • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
      • M.Ed. in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Humanities (ITL)
      • M.Ed. in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Humanities (NITL)
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor: Communications
      • BS in Psychology
      • B.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance and Sports Psychology
      • Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an Emphasis in Interpersonal Communication and Human Relationships
      • Bachelor: Business Admin
      • BA in Digital Film - Screenwriting
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Psychology
      • Masters in Dispute Resolution
      • Masters in Legal Studies
      • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
  • Online Programs Available
    3. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DBA - General Business
      • Doctor of Criminal Justice
      • Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
      • Doctor of Education in Instructional Design
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
      • EdD - Curriculum and Teaching
    Master's
      • MAPsy - General Psychology
      • MEd - General Education
      • MSOL - Criminal Justice
      • Master of Science in Computer Science
      • Master of Science in Data Science
      • MBA - Entrepreneurship
    Certificate
      • EdS - Educational Leadership
      • EdS - Learning Analytics in Higher Education
      • EdS - Learning Analytics in K-12 Education
      • Education Specialist in Educational Leadership
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Health Sciences
      • Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation
    Master's
      • M.S. in Health Education
      • MS in Psychology - Forensic Psychology
      • Master of Science in Legal Studies
      • MS in Psychology
      • Master : Business Admin
      • Master: Psychology/General Psychology
    Bachelor's
      • Undergraduate in Legal Studies
      • BS in Communication
      • Bachelor of Science in Psychology
      • BS in Organizational Management - Decision Management
      • BS in Communication - Business Fundamentals
      • BS in Communication - Digital Communication
    Associate's
      • AASBA in Business
      • Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
      • Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services
      • Associate: Business Admin.
      • Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development
      • Associate of Applied Science in Human Services
    Certificate
      • Human Services - Child and Family Services Certificate
      • Professional Focus + Google Project Management Certificate
      • Certificate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology Graduate
      • Professional Focus + Google UX Design Certificate
      • AWS Cloud Technologies
      • Project Management
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Fordham University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
  • Online Programs Available
    6. Penn Foster

    Program Options

    Associate's
      • A.S. Degree in Veterinary Technology
    Certificate
      • Career Diploma - Dental Assistant
      • Career Diploma - Motorcycle Repair Technician
      • Career Diploma - Sterile Processing
      • Career Diploma - Medical Administrative Assistant
      • Career Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
      • Medical Assistant Diploma
  • Campus and Online Programs
    7. The Chicago School

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Online - Ph.D. International Psychology
      • Online - Ph.D. Organizational Leadership
      • Online - Ph.D. Business Psychology: Consulting Track
      • Online - Ph.D. Business Psychology: Industrial/Organizational Track
      • Online - Psy.D. Applied Clinical Psychology
      • Online - Ed.D. Educational Psychology and Technology
    Master's
      • Online - M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Internship/Thesis Track
      • Online - M.A. International Psychology
      • Online - M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: ARP Track
      • Online - M.A. Applied Psychology
      • Online - M.A. Behavioral Economics
      • Online - M.A. Forensic Psychology: Non-Licensure Track
    Bachelor's
      • Online - B.S. Business Management
      • Online - BA Psychology: Focused Path
      • Online - B.A. Psychology
      • Online - B.S. Business Psychology
      • Online - B.A. Criminology
    Certificate
      • Online - Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning
      • Online - Industrial and Organizational Psychology Generalist Certificate
      • Online - Certificate in Behavioral Economics
      • Online - Certificate in Organizational Leadership
      • Online - Child and Adolescent Psychology Certificate
      • Online - Crisis-Informed Care for a Diverse, Globalized World Certificate
  • Online Programs Available
    8. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BSN: R.N. to B.S.N. to M.S.N. Accelerated Program: Community Health
      • BSN: R.N. to B.S.N. to M.S.N. Accelerated Program: Health Policy
      • BSN: R.N. to B.S.N. to M.S.N. Accelerated Program: Nurse Educator
      • BSN: R.N. to B.S.N. to M.S.N. Accelerated Program: Nursing Administration
      • BSN: R.N. to B.S.N. to M.S.N. Accelerated Program: Nursing Informatics
    Certificate
      • BS: Special Student (Non-Degree) - General
      • THG: Willmington School of the Bible: Biblical Studies
  • Campus and Online Programs
    9. Full Sail University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Film Production Masters - Campus
      • Game Design Masters - Campus
      • Entertainment Business Masters - Campus
      • Entertainment Business Masters with a Sports Management Elective Track - Campus
      • Computer Science Masters - Online
      • M.S. - Entertainment Business
    Bachelor's
      • Sportscasting Bachelors - Campus
      • Media Communications Bachelors - Campus
      • Bachelor of Science - Software Development
      • Creative Writing Bachelors - Campus
      • Film Bachelors - Campus
      • Sports Marketing and Media Bachelors - Campus
    Associate's
      • Sportscasting Associates - Campus
      • Sportscasting Associates - Online
    Certificate
      • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online
      • User Experience Bachelors - Online
  • Kaneohe, HI

    Windward Community College

Featured Schools

Grand Canyon University

  • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
  • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors
  • Bachelor: Communications

What is your highest level of education?

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Psychology
  • Masters in Dispute Resolution
  • Masters in Legal Studies

Which subject are you interested in?

National University

  • DBA - General Business
  • MAPsy - General Psychology
  • EdS - Educational Leadership

What is your highest level of education?

Purdue Global

  • Doctor of Health Sciences
  • M.S. in Health Education
  • Undergraduate in Legal Studies
  • AASBA in Business
  • Human Services - Child and Family Services Certificate

Which subject are you interested in?

Fordham University

  • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance

Are you located in the U.S.?

Penn Foster

  • A.S. Degree in Veterinary Technology
  • Career Diploma - Dental Assistant
  • Career Diploma - Motorcycle Repair Technician

What is your highest level of education?

The Chicago School

  • Online - Ph.D. International Psychology
  • Online - M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Internship/Thesis Track
  • Online - B.S. Business Management
  • Online - Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning

What is your highest level of education completed?

Liberty University

  • BSN: R.N. to B.S.N. to M.S.N. Accelerated Program: Community Health
  • BSN: R.N. to B.S.N. to M.S.N. Accelerated Program: Health Policy
  • BS: Special Student (Non-Degree) - General
  • THG: Willmington School of the Bible: Biblical Studies

What is your highest level of education?