In the future more employers will require employees to have a college degree. A report by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce projects that 70% of jobs will require a college degree by 2020. The Hawaii State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations projects the creation of 45,540 new jobs by 2026. Three quarters of those projected new jobs will not require a college degree, but the 23% of jobs that do will offer higher pay.
Online colleges in Hawaii offer students, including full-time working professionals and parents, the chance to compete in a changing and competitive job market. Keep reading to find resources, information on important deadlines, and learn about the most affordable online colleges in the Aloha State.
To find the best online programs in Hawaii takes time and patience. Luckily, we have culled all of the online programs in Hawaii using a methodology backed by data provided by the Department of Education and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Our methodology examines numerous factors including accreditation, the breadth of programs, tuition prices, and graduation rates. Keep reading to learn more about the best online colleges in Hawaii.
Featured Online Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
Hawaii's Top Affordable Online Colleges
Why Choose Hawaii for Online Higher Education?
Online colleges in Hawaii and nationwide continue to grow in popularity every year. For students with work or family commitments, online classes allow flexibility while earning a college education. In the state of Hawaii, students can find a total of 20 online programs. Some 2,844 undergraduates and 698 graduate students take classes exclusively online in Hawaii, and 83 students living internationally take advantage of the wide breadth of online programs offered in Hawaii, according to the 2016 IPEDS data listed below.
Number of Programs Offered Completely Online in Hawaii: 20
Undergraduate Students Enrolled Exclusively Online in Hawaii: 2,844
Graduate Students Enrolled Exclusively Online in Hawaii: 668
Total International Students Enrolled Exclusively Online in Hawaii: 83
Source:National Center for Education Statistics
Cost of Attending an Online College in Hawaii
Generally, in-state tuition almost always costs less than out-of-state tuition; however, online students who live in another state may receive a tuition break.
To receive in-state tuition students must provide proof that they have lived in Hawaii for at least one year prior to the beginning of the semester. Students who intend to make Hawaii their permanent home may be eligible for in-state tuition with the appropriate documentation. The state also gives in-state tuition to military personnel, employees of the university system, and Native Hawaiians.
Furthermore, through the National Student Exchange, Western Undergraduate Exchange, and Western Interstate Commission of Higher Education students in designated states can establish residency for in-state tuition in Hawaii. Students living on Pacific islands that do not have a bachelor's-granting institution can also gain residency status. Below find more information about in-state and out-of-state tuition.
In-state tuition
$9,712 – public, four-year institution$3,080 – public, two-year institution
Out-of-state tuition
$30,929 – public, four-year institution$8,216 – public, two-year institution
Source:National Center for Education Statistics,
Online programs in Hawaii offer competitive tuition rates when compared to the national average. The national average, as of 2019, for in-state residents at public colleges runs $10,230 and $26,290 for out-of-state students, according to the College Board.
Online students almost always save money since they do not pay for housing, parking, transportation, and other fees which traditional students incur. Keep reading to find out more about online tuition for in-state public, private, and two-year online colleges in Hawaii.
Public, 4-Year University: University of Hawaii at Manoa, $462 per credit
Private, 4-Year University: Chaminade University, $500 per credit
2-Year College: Kapiolani Community College, $128.50 per credit
Considering a Hawaii School as an Out-of-State Student
Out-of-state students planning to attend college in Hawaii have pros and cons to consider. Students from states within the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, or WICHE, can attend college in Hawaii for a discount. Under the WICHE undergraduate and graduate students have a cap on the amount of out-of-state tuition they have to pay. To find out more, keep reading.
Out-of-state undergraduate students studying exclusively online in Hawaii: 434
Out-of-state graduate students studying exclusively online in Hawaii: 119
Tuition Discounts
Hawaii, a member of WICHE, provides students who live in member states the opportunity to receive tuition breaks.
Hawaii participates in three student exchange programs: the Western Undergraduate Exchange, the Professional Student Exchange Program, and the Western Regional Graduate Program. Fourteen states have membership in WICHE, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. Per the WICHE agreement, out-of-state undergraduate students who earn online degrees in Hawaii, pay no higher than 150% of in-state tuition. Graduate students can study out-of-state and receive in-state tuition.
State Authorizations for Online Learning
Over the years as online programs grew in popularity, there became an increasing need to regulate distance learning curriculum and costs. The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements provides oversight to distance learning programs to protect students. States and institutions join NC-SARA on a voluntary basis. Under NC-SARA, students have better access to out-of-state distance learning programs at affordable prices. SARA runs under the four regional education compacts, including WICHE
Check with an admissions or financial officer. Tuition rates are ultimately program- and institution-based. Ask someone from a prospective program about what rates apply to you specifically as a potential member of a specific program.
Hawaii Scholarships and Grants
The process of obtaining financial aid begins with completing a FAFSA form. Information submitted on a FAFSA determines if a student meets the low-income requirements to receive Pell Grant aid. If a student qualifies for a Pell Grant, they do not have to repay it. However, not everyone can receive Pell Grant funds, particularly graduate students. For those seeking more aid, scholarships offer a good source.
Allan Eldin & Agnes Sutorik Geiger Scholarship Fund
The Allan Sutorik Geiger Revocable Trust offers a $1,000 scholarship through the Hawaii Community Foundation to undergraduate and graduate students who want to study veterinary science. Applicants must have at least a sophomore status and a 3.0 GPA. Students must also demonstrate financial need.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Clem Judd Jr. Memorial Scholarship
The Clem Judd Jr. Memorial Scholarship, distributed through the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, offers two awards to Native Hawaiian undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies in tourism, hotel administration, or hospitality. Full-time students with a 3.0 GPA and Hawaii residency can apply. Students must apply by June 29.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000 to $2,500
Hawaii Promise
The Hawaii Promise scholarship helps students who have a financial need attend classes at any University of Hawaii community college campus. How much a student receives depends on available funding and a student's demonstrated financial need, as indicated on their FAFSA application. Applicants must be Hawaii residents enrolled in at least six credits every semester.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
442nd Veterans Scholarship
The 442nd Veterans Scholarship offers funding to full- or part-time students currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in any area of study. The scholarship, named in honor of the mostly Japanese American combat team which fought in World War II, helps Hawaii high school graduates, who were born in Hawaii.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
University of Hawaii Scholarship Fund
The University of Hawaii Scholarship Fund helps full-time undergraduate students enrolled in any college in the University of Hawaii system. Applicants need a 3.0 GPA or higher. Students who graduated from a Hawaii high school can receive this scholarship, offered in partnership by the UH Board of Regents, the Board of Trustees of the University of Hawaii Foundation, the President's Office, and the University of Hawaii Alumni Association.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaii's Online Schools
Doing college research presents a daunting task. To make it easier, we have consolidated frequently asked questions about online programs in Hawaii. Below you can find answers to your questions about tuition, start dates, FAFSA forms, and transfer credits.
The cost of online tuition varies by college. Online tuition, when compared to traditional classes, may not always offer cheaper rates. However, under the Western Undergraduate Exchange, online students qualify for reduced out-state-tuition in Hawaii.
At the University of Hawaii at Manoa residents attending college during the 2019 school year paid $16,632 for tuition and fees, whereas non-residents paid $33,120. However, under the WICHE agreement, out-of-state undergraduates cannot pay more than 150% of the in-state tuition, if they live in a qualifying state.
Generally online and on-campus tuition remains the same. For example, online students at UH Manoa pay the same amount as traditional students. Non-resident students taking online classes do not pay more than resident students, the same rule applies for Chaminade University, a private institution, where online tuition runs $18,000 for nonresidents and residents. Tuition for traditional undergraduates runs $25,374 for the 2019 academic year.
