by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking for a college that has your back, you’ve come to the right place. We have ranked 21 institutions for veteran and military-affiliated students in Hawaii, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits, academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 21 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
The right college for a veteran depends on what matters most to you. Drill down by location, or explore our other rankings below.
Ready to build your own comparison? We built a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter most to you.
Here are the top-ranked colleges for veterans:
Honolulu Community College earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges for Veterans ranking in Hawaii. It scores 79.0 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Chaminade University of Honolulu earned the #2 place in Hawaii. It scores 78.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 90.5, and veteran resources 33.3.
A rank of #3 makes University of Hawaii at Manoa one of the best colleges for veterans in Hawaii. University of Hawaii at Manoa scores 75.7 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 100.0.
Out of the 21 colleges in Hawaii in this year's ranking, University of Hawaii-West Oahu landed the #4 spot. University of Hawaii-West Oahu scores 70.7 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Out of the 21 colleges in Hawaii in this year's ranking, University of Hawaii Maui College landed the #5 spot. It scores 69.5 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Leeward Community College landed the #6 spot in Hawaii this year. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 68.2 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Kapiolani Community College placed #7 among the best colleges for veterans in Hawaii. The school's overall veterans score is 67.6 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 33.3.
Hawaii Medical College placed #8 among the best colleges for veterans in Hawaii. It scores 66.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Kauai Community College earned the #9 position in Hawaii. Kauai Community College scores 66.2 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Hawaii Institute of Hair Design came in at #10 in this year's ranking. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 65.2 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 0.0 veteran-resources score.
University of Hawaii at Hilo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 63.4 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Hawaii Community College landed the #12 spot in Hawaii this year. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 62.2 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 33.3.
Windward Community College placed #13 among the best colleges for veterans in Hawaii. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 61.2 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Hawaii Pacific University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Hawaii Pacific University scores 59.1 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability scores 82.1, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Pacific Rim Christian University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 58.4 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 0.0.
University of Phoenix-Hawaii came in at #16 in this year's ranking. The school's overall veterans score is 55.5 out of 100.
Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy landed the #17 spot in Hawaii this year. Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy scores 49.1 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 0.0 veteran-resources score.
Brigham Young University-Hawaii landed the #18 spot in Hawaii this year. It scores 44.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 0.0 veteran-resources score.
IBS School of Cosmetology and Massage ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. IBS School of Cosmetology and Massage scores 39.0 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, and veteran resources 0.0.
Institute of Clinical Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine landed the #20 spot in Hawaii this year. Institute of Clinical Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine scores 34.2 out of 100 for veteran support overall.
Mauna Loa Helicopters placed #21 among the best colleges for veterans in Hawaii. It scores 30.4 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 27.7, alongside a 0.0 veteran-resources score.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is based on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits, academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
See our data sources and methodologies.
