2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Hawaii
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Leading the list is Kapiolani Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in Hawaii. Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,284, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,307. 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 liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Lihue, Kauai Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, compared with $8,388 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Kauai Community College earn a median of $23,210 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Honolulu Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. In-state tuition and fees average $3,174, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
Hawaii Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Hawaii Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hilo. Students from in state pay about $3,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,340. Students borrow a median of $9,166 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Hawaii Community College generally make around $25,212. That is a strong return on a $9,166 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Windward Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Kaneohe, Windward Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,194, while out-of-state students pay about $8,330. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Leeward Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,214, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Students borrow a median of $9,387 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,784. Set against $9,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Hawaii Maui College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Kahului, University Of Hawaii Maui College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,284, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,072 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Hawaii Maui College generally make around $27,904. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,584 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $18,952. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Hawaii West Oahu generally make around $29,588. That is a strong return on a $18,952 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,877 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $20,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Brigham Young University Hawaii landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Hawaii earn a median of $41,461 early in their careers. Brigham Young University Hawaii admits about 47% of applicants.
Chaminade University Of Honolulu placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Chaminade University Of Honolulu is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,874. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Chaminade University Of Honolulu generally make around $48,383. Set against $25,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chaminade University Of Honolulu admits about 91% of applicants.
Hawaii Pacific University landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,392. Students borrow a median of $25,385 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $49,182. Set against $25,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 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.
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
