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Best Community Colleges in Honolulu: Transfer, Tuition & Programs for 2026

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

March 6, 2026

Compare Honolulu community colleges with real tuition, earnings, and program data.

Why Community College in Honolulu?

Honolulu's community colleges offer an affordable launchpad for higher education and career training. With tuition well below four-year university rates and transfer agreements with state universities, the 2+2 path (2 years at CC, 2 at university) can save thousands while putting you on the same career trajectory.

Community Colleges in Honolulu

Kapiolani Community College (Honolulu)

Tuition: $3,284/year | Enrollment: 3,955 | 6-year earnings: $38,265

Nursing ADN graduates earn $78,558/year.

Leeward Community College (Pearl City)

Tuition: $3,214/year | Enrollment: 3,382 | 6-year earnings: $33,997

Honolulu Community College (Honolulu)

Tuition: $3,174/year | Enrollment: 1,897 | 6-year earnings: $36,127

Hawaii Community College (Hilo)

Tuition: $3,204/year | Enrollment: 1,470 | 6-year earnings: $29,704

Nursing ADN graduates earn $56,361/year.

Windward Community College (Kaneohe)

Tuition: $3,194/year | Enrollment: 1,109 | 6-year earnings: $30,631

Hawaii Medical College (Honolulu)

Tuition: $25,927/year | Enrollment: 217 | 6-year earnings: $35,803

Hawaii Institute of Hair Design (Honolulu)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 70 | 6-year earnings: $17,489

Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy (Honolulu)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 68

How to Choose

Priority	Best Fit
Lowest tuition	Honolulu Community College ($3,174/yr)
Best earnings outcome	Kapiolani Community College ($38,265 at 6yrs)
Nursing	Check which schools offer ADN programs with clinical rotations
Transfer	Look for schools with articulation agreements to your target university

Transfer Pathways

Check with your target university for specific transfer agreements. Most Hawaii public universities accept credits from in-state community colleges through statewide articulation agreements. Complete your general education core at a CC and transfer as a junior to save significantly on your bachelor's degree.

Financial Aid

Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often exceeds full CC tuition
Hawaii state grants — check your state's financial aid office for resident programs
Institutional scholarships — many CCs offer merit and need-based scholarships
Workforce development grants — available for high-demand programs like nursing and skilled trades

Next Steps

Compare Honolulu community colleges on GradeToGrad — see tuition, programs, and transfer rates.