by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Hawaii? We have ranked 16 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 16 schools to compile this 2027 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In This Year’s Value Report:
Our analysis looked at 16 schools in Hawaii to surface the strongest return on investment. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. We weigh cost against outcomes such as graduation rates, educational resources, and what graduates earn.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. See the full methodology.
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is Kapiolani Community College, our #1 best value in Hawaii. This public school is set in Honolulu, HI. In-state tuition and fees average $3,284, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Kapiolani Community College students take on a median of $14,738 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,599. That is a strong return on a $14,738 median debt.
Leeward Community College came in at #2 on this year's best-value ranking in Hawaii. This public school is set in Pearl City, HI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,214, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,776 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
You'll get strong value at Honolulu Community College, which ranked #3 this year. This public school is set in Honolulu, HI. In-state tuition and fees average $3,174, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. The median program debt is $10,868. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,105. That is a strong return on a $10,868 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Hawaii Maui College earned it the #4 place in Hawaii. University Of Hawaii Maui College is a public school based in Kahului, HI. Students from in state pay about $3,284 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Typical student debt is $11,824. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,453 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,824 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Windward Community College earned it the #5 place in Hawaii. Located in Kaneohe, HI, Windward Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,194, compared with $8,330 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $10,930. Median earnings reach $38,439 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu landed the #6 spot for value in Hawaii this year. University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a public school based in Kapolei, HI. In-state tuition and fees average $7,584, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. Typical student debt is $19,957. Median earnings reach $52,075 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Hawaii Community College placed #7 among the best values in Hawaii. This public school is set in Hilo, HI. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,204, while out-of-state students pay about $8,340. Hawaii Community College students take on a median of $13,170 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,891. That is a strong return on a $13,170 median debt.
Kauai Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Lihue, HI, Kauai Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,388. The median program debt is $5,500. Kauai Community College alumni report median earnings of $36,868 a decade after entry. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. University Of Hawaii At Manoa students take on a median of $20,577 in debt. Median earnings reach $57,624 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. About 87% of those who apply are admitted.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a public school based in Hilo, HI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,838, while out-of-state students pay about $20,798. Graduates carry a median of $22,615 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,856. Set against $22,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Hilo admits about 61% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Hawaii placed #11 among the best values in Hawaii. This private not-for-profit school is set in Laie, HI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,064. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Chaminade University Of Honolulu landed the #12 spot for value in Hawaii this year. Located in Honolulu, HI, Chaminade University Of Honolulu is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,874. Typical student debt is $25,096. Median earnings reach $52,343 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pacific Rim Christian University offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Pacific Rim Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Honolulu, HI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,580. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,523.
Hawaii Institute Of Hair Design placed #14 among the best values in Hawaii. Located in Honolulu, HI, Hawaii Institute Of Hair Design is a private for-profit institution. Hawaii Institute Of Hair Design students take on a median of $5,838 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $25,235. Set against $5,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawaii Pacific University landed the #15 spot for value in Hawaii this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Honolulu, HI. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,392. Hawaii Pacific University students take on a median of $25,385 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,593 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hawaii Pacific University has an acceptance rate of 86%.
Hawaii Medical College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Hawaii Medical College is a private for-profit school based in Honolulu, HI. In-state tuition and fees average $25,927. Hawaii Medical College students take on a median of $12,782 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,880 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,782 median debt.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 16 schools evaluated. References
See our data sources and methodologies.