2026 Best Value Health Professions Schools in Hawaii
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health Professions Schools
Kapiolani Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools in Hawaii. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,284, compared with $8,420 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $71,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kauai Community College earned it the #2 place for health professions. Located in the rural area of Lihue, Kauai Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,388 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Kauai Community College generally make around $23,210. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Hawaii Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Hawaii Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hilo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,204, with out-of-state students paying around $8,340. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,174 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Hawaii Community College earn a median of $69,990 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,174 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Leeward Community College one of the best values for health professions. Located in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,214, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,776 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Leeward Community College earn a median of $21,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,776 median debt.
University Of Hawaii Maui College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Kahului, University Of Hawaii Maui College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,284, compared with $8,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,577 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of Hawaii Maui College generally make around $102,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo came in at #6 for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,838, with out-of-state students paying around $20,798. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $25,681. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Hilo generally make around $92,377. That is a strong return on a $25,681 median debt. University Of Hawaii At Hilo admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $17,280. Health Professions graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $97,985 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
Ibs School Of Cosmetology And Massage placed #8 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Kahului, Ibs School Of Cosmetology And Massage is a small private for-profit institution.
Chaminade University Of Honolulu ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Chaminade University Of Honolulu is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,874. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $31,000. Health Professions graduates of Chaminade University Of Honolulu earn a median of $81,125 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Hawaii Pacific University earned the #10 position for value in health professions this year. Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $34,392 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Hawaii Pacific University generally make around $75,892. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health professions education at a price that pays off.
