# Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 13 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-hawaii

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price in Hawaii

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Finding an affordable college in Hawaii can be a challenge, but several schools stand out for their low net prices. These institutions provide pathways to a college education without overwhelming debt. On average, students from these schools graduate with significantly less debt than the national average, making them appealing options for families looking to keep costs down.

What sets these colleges apart is not just their affordability but also their outcomes. The schools on this list have varying graduation rates and earning potentials, reflecting their different approaches to education and student support. When weighing options, consider the average earnings of graduates — which sit around $45,831 — alongside completion rates that hover around 40%. This data helps illustrate the value these schools provide beyond just the price tag.

For example, Leeward Community College offers a low net price of $5,137, but its graduation rate is only 33%. In contrast, the University of Hawaii-West Oahu has a higher net price at $10,327 but boasts a graduation rate of 48%. This means that while Leeward is cheaper upfront, the potential for completing a degree and increasing earnings could be higher at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu. These factors are crucial to consider as we dive deeper into the rankings below.

## Key Findings

- Leeward Community College has a net price of $5,137 and a graduation rate of 33%.
- The average earnings for graduates from these schools is $45,831.
- University of Hawaii-West Oahu graduates earn $52,075 on average with a 48% graduation rate.
- Windward Community College has a net price of $8,169 and a graduation rate of 30%.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Leeward Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/leeward-community-college) | Pearl City, HI | 33% | $39,899 | $5,137 | $8,970 | 0.22x |
| 2 | [Kapiolani Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kapiolani-community-college) | Honolulu, HI | 21% | $44,599 | $5,202 | $9,229 | 0.21x |
| 3 | [Honolulu Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/honolulu-community-college) | Honolulu, HI | 30% | $45,105 | $7,458 | $7,534 | 0.17x |
| 4 | [Windward Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/windward-community-college) | Kaneohe, HI | 30% | $38,439 | $8,169 | $9,500 | 0.25x |
| 5 | [University of Hawaii-West Oahu](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-hawaii-west-oahu) | Kapolei, HI | 48% | $52,075 | $10,327 | $14,500 | 0.28x |
| 6 | [Hawaii Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hawaii-community-college) | Hilo, HI | 32% | $34,891 | $8,942 | $10,500 | 0.3x |
| 7 | [University of Hawaii Maui College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-hawaii-maui-college) | Kahului, HI | 28% | $34,453 | $8,061 | $13,040 | 0.38x |
| 8 | [University of Hawaii at Hilo](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-hawaii-at-hilo) | Hilo, HI | 45% | $47,856 | $11,856 | $20,500 | 0.43x |
| 9 | [Kauai Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kauai-community-college) | Lihue, HI | 37% | $36,868 | $10,436 | $10,500 | 0.28x |
| 10 | [University of Hawaii at Manoa](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-hawaii-at-manoa) | Honolulu, HI | 63% | $57,624 | $15,664 | $18,500 | 0.32x |
| 11 | [Brigham Young University-Hawaii](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brigham-young-university-hawaii) | Laie, HI | 54% | $52,064 | $16,774 | $9,413 | 0.18x |
| 12 | [Chaminade University of Honolulu](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chaminade-university-of-honolulu) | Honolulu, HI | 57% | $52,343 | $28,856 | $23,250 | 0.44x |
| 13 | [Hawaii Pacific University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hawaii-pacific-university) | Honolulu, HI | 38% | $59,593 | $29,657 | $22,000 | 0.37x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-hawaii

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.