Hawaii has only four colleges producing significant numbers of BSN graduates, but its nursing graduates report some of the highest first-year earnings in the country. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top five.
Imagine choosing between the state flagship in Manoa and a private university in downtown Honolulu. Both lead to the same RN licence, but graduation rates, costs and class sizes differ. Knowing those numbers helps you pick the right fit for island life and your budget.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Hawaii that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Hawaii nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Hawaii at Manoa | Honolulu | Public | 63% | 115 | $103,178 | $12,402 |
| 2 | Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu | Private nonprofit | 54% | 98 | $93,310 | $31,918 |
| 3 | University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hilo | Public | 44% | 40 | $99,714 | $8,258 |
| 4 | Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu | Private nonprofit | 39% | 118 | $91,251 | $36,734 |
Top Hawaii nursing schools reviewed
1. University of Hawaii at Manoa
The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing is the state’s flagship public nursing school, with strong links to Honolulu’s major hospitals and a focus on Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and rural health.
- Graduation rate: 63%, number 1 in Hawaii on our list
- Programme size: about 115 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $103,178 one year after graduating
- Cost: $12,402 in-state tuition ($34,434 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 87%
2. Chaminade University of Honolulu
Chaminade is a small Catholic and Marianist university in Honolulu whose nursing programme has grown quickly, offering smaller classes in a private setting.
- Graduation rate: 54%, number 2 in Hawaii on our list
- Programme size: about 98 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $93,310 one year after graduating
- Cost: $31,918 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 91%
3. University of Hawaii at Hilo
The University of Hawaii at Hilo on the Big Island offers a public BSN with a focus on rural and community health on Hawaii Island.
- Graduation rate: 44%, number 3 in Hawaii on our list
- Programme size: about 40 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $99,714 one year after graduating
- Cost: $8,258 in-state tuition ($21,218 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 61%
4. Hawaii Pacific University
Hawaii Pacific University runs one of the larger nursing programmes in the state from its Honolulu and windward campuses, with a diverse, international student body.
- Graduation rate: 39%, number 4 in Hawaii on our list
- Programme size: about 118 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $91,251 one year after graduating
- Cost: $36,734 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 86%
Because Hawaii has few nursing schools and limited clinical places, competition for nursing seats can be strong. Applying to more than one programme, including community college ADN routes followed by RN-to-BSN completion, is common.
Ways to become a registered nurse in Hawaii
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Hawaii Board of Nursing.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Hawaii offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 4 colleges in Hawaii produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 371 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Hawaii nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
University of Hawaii at Manoa has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 63%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Hawaii?
Hawaii Pacific University produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 118 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Hawaii?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $91,251 to $103,178, with a typical (median) figure of about $96,512. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in Hawaii?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $8,258 to $12,402 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Hawaii Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Hawaii Board of Nursing website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Hawaii Board of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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