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.
