Hawaii Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Hawaii College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Hawaii institutions.
Top Hawaii Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | Public 4-yr | $12,186 | $34,632 | 13,500 |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo | Public 4-yr | $8,140 | $21,988 | 3,100 |
| University of Hawaii West Oahu | Public 4-yr | $8,160 | $21,040 | 3,100 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Private | $30,820 | $30,820 | 4,200 |
| Brigham Young University-Hawaii | Private | $5,970 | $5,970 | 3,100 |
| Chaminade University | Private | $31,000 | $31,000 | 1,800 |
| Honolulu Community College (UH) | Community | $3,300 | $8,496 | 3,600 |
| Kapiolani Community College | Community | $3,300 | $8,496 | 5,900 |
Hawaii State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the University of Hawaii System and HPU.
Hawaii Promise
Last-dollar scholarship covering unmet tuition/fees at UH community colleges.
Hawaii B+ Scholarship
For Hawaii residents with 3.0+ GPA entering UH system institutions.
Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver
Tuition assistance for Hawaiian ancestry students at UH institutions.
Kamehameha Schools Scholarships
Substantial scholarship support for students of Hawaiian ancestry (administered by Kamehameha Schools).
Student Loan Options for Hawaii Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Hawaii have a state student loan program?
No. Hawaii does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Hawaii residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Hawaii state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
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Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Hawaii students and families.
How much does college cost in Hawaii?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Hawaii public four-year universities is about $11,500 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $29,500 on campus for Hawaii residents and $46,800 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Hawaii?
Hawaii borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $36,900. Total outstanding federal student debt for Hawaii residents is approximately $4.7 billion.
Does Hawaii offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Hawaii administers Hawaii Promise (free community college), the B+ Scholarship (3.0+ GPA), Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver, and the Hawaii Teacher Loan Repayment Program. Kamehameha Schools also provides substantial private scholarships for students of Hawaiian ancestry.
Does Hawaii have a state student loan program?
No. Hawaii does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Hawaii residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Hawaii colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
UH Community Colleges charge $3,300 per year and are effectively free for residents through Hawaii Promise. BYU-Hawaii is the overall lowest four-year option at $5,970 (LDS-affiliated). UH Hilo and West Oahu are the lowest UH four-year publics at $8,140-$8,160.
What scholarships are available for Hawaii residents?
Key awards include Hawaii Promise, B+ Scholarship, Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver, Kamehameha Schools Scholarships, and Hawaii Teacher Loan Repayment.
Related Hawaii Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Hawaii public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- UH System program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Claire Tak Reviewed by: Colin Graves