University of Hawaii at Hilo
University of Hawaii at Hilo is a public university in Hilo, HI ranked #886 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of B, enrolling about 2,160 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 60.6%. Students most often pursue Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing.
Academically, students benefit from a 11:1 student-faculty ratio, 72.8% first-year retention, and 48.4% six-year graduation. Peer cohorts and advising networks provide scaffolding that keeps newcomers anchored during demanding semesters.
Families typically invest $11,856, about $5,142 less than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -21.6%, roughly 106.9 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $37,204. That's about $6,484 below national results. It's a compelling fit for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Who is University of Hawaii at Hilo Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates 48.4% of students within six years and keeps 72.8% of first-year students. Affordability earns a B+ compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use University of Hawaii at Hilo's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $7,838 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,360 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $11,586 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $4,984 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $21,173 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 40.4% of University of Hawaii at Hilo students receive Pell Grants — in line with the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $8,983 to $17,403 depending on family income. Use University of Hawaii at Hilo's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $14,734/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $17,403/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $37,204
- 10-Year Median Earnings $37,204
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $12,500
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 63.2%
- Employment Rate 77.6%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
University of Hawaii at Hilo vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how University of Hawaii at Hilo's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes University of Hawaii at Hilo's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates earn $37,204 median, the -21.6% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 490-610
- SAT Math 455-565
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 15-22
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 2,160
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 72.8%
- Graduation Rate 48.4%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 11:1
How to Get Into University of Hawaii at Hilo
1. Meet Academic Requirements: University of Hawaii at Hilo requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 60.6%, University of Hawaii at Hilo is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 60.6% acceptance rate, University of Hawaii at Hilo is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 945 and 1175 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among University of Hawaii at Hilo undergraduates. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administrat, and Psychology, General draw the most students.
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing 10.2%
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administrat 9.9%
- Psychology, General 8.3%
- Business Administration, Management and Operations 7.7%
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitnes 7.4%
- Communication and Media Studies 5.3%
See more majors
- Biology, General 5.0%
- Geography and Cartography 4.7%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration $141,551
- 2. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing $93,992
- 3. Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies $61,507
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Biology, General $61,366
- 5. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods $51,561
- 6. Business Administration, Management and Operations $47,959
- 7. Health and Physical Education/Fitness $47,395
- 8. Accounting and Related Services $47,061
- 9. Criminal Justice and Corrections $46,521
- 10. Psychology, General $45,110
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degree) $141,981
- 2. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degree) $120,737
- 3. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degree) $62,845
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degree) $52,130
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration grads earn $141,551—214% more than Psychology, General ($45,110). Graduate: Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration programs lead with $141,981 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for University of Hawaii at Hilo. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degree, 73 graduates)
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degree, 65 graduates)
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's Degree, 63 graduates)
- Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degree, 53 graduates)
- Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degree, 49 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (33 programs)â–¼
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
- Psychology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
- Communication and Media Studies
- Biology, General
- Geography and Cartography
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
- Agriculture, General
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Computer Science
- Sociology
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- English Language and Literature, General
- Political Science and Government
- History
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Accounting and Related Services
- Anthropology
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Area Studies
- Philosophy
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Physics
- Music
- Economics
- Natural Sciences
Online Master's Degrees (6 programs)â–¼
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- American Indian/Native American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
- Historic Preservation and Conservation
- Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Online Doctoral Degrees (2 programs)â–¼
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
- Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Online First Professional Degrees (2 programs)â–¼
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 2,160
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 37.5%
- Female Students 62.5%
- Caucasian 19.7%
- Asian 13.0%
- Hispanic 16.5%
- Black 1.4%
- Pell Grant Recipients 40.4%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects University of Hawaii at Hilo's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of University of Hawaii at Hilo's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does University of Hawaii at Hilo support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at University of Hawaii at Hilo, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: University of Hawaii at Hilo has a diverse student body, with 19.7% identifying as White. Women make up 62.5% of undergraduates.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does University of Hawaii at Hilo support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at University of Hawaii at Hilo, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
University of Hawaii at Hilo serves as an affordable university for students seeking quality education without elite university costs. Ranked #886 nationally with ROI data not available, the institution balances practical outcomes with budget-friendly pricing.
At $11,856 annually, students gain access to career-focused programs leading to $37,204 median earnings. The 48.4% six-year graduation rate reflects reasonable completion metrics for a university. While 72.8% retention suggests adequate student support.
University Value: University of Hawaii at Hilo's Strengths
Ranked #886 with a B grade, University of Hawaii at Hilo prioritizes accessibility and local career connections over national prestige.
Primary Strengths: Universitys like University of Hawaii at Hilo excel at providing affordable education ($11,856 annually) with strong local employer relationships. Many programs emphasize practical skills and internships within the regional economy.
Best For: Students planning to work in the region after graduation benefit from established employer connections. Adult learners and part-time students appreciate flexible scheduling. First-generation students and budget-conscious families gain degrees without overwhelming debt.
Honest Assessment: University of Hawaii at Hilo's 72.8% retention and 48.4% six-year graduation rate trail elite universities but align with typical university performance. Career outcomes ($37,204 median earnings) reflect regional job markets more than national opportunities.
Value Verdict: For students committed to regional careers, University of Hawaii at Hilo and $11,856 cost deliver solid value. Those seeking national job mobility or prestigious credentials should compare against flagship state universities or targeted private scholarships.
Key Takeaways
- 48.4% six-year graduation rate sits 14.1 points below the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 72.8% first-year retention is 4.0 points below the national norm of 76.8%.
- -21.6% return on investment is 106.9 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $37,204 run about 15% lower than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $11,856 is roughly $8,162 lower than the national median of $20,018.
Helpfulness for Students
- 11:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 72.8% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 77.6% employment rate within three years sits 9.4 points above national outcomes.
- Budget carefully for clinical travel, off-campus housing, and practicum fees to avoid surprise costs.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Located in Hilo, HI, University of Hawaii at Hilo operates as a public university and receives a B from EDsmart. It stands at #886 among 1942 schools Grades by category break down as Completion B-, Support B, Career Outcomes C+, and Affordability B+.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
72.8% of learners come back after year one while 48.4% complete the degree within six years. Return on investment currently measures -21.6% for this program.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $11,856 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $21,173.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $9,317 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $12,500 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 40.4% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Median earnings come in near $37,204 six years after enrollment. That sits about 15% below the national median.
The three-year employment rate is close to 77.6%.
Plan around an ROI of about -21.6% according to the Scorecard data.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
60.6% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the University of Hawaii at Hilo admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Contact Information
- Address Hilo, HI 96720-4091
- Website hilo.hawaii.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
- Endowment$325,111