Best Nursing Schools in Honolulu: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
March 4, 2026
Compare 7 Honolulu nursing programs with real tuition and graduate earnings data from the College Scorecard.
Why Study Nursing in Honolulu?
Honolulu offers a strong healthcare market with growing demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 7 institutions offering nursing programs, from affordable community college ADN degrees to advanced doctoral programs.
Top University Nursing Programs
University of Hawaii at Manoa (Honolulu)
In-state tuition: $12,186/year | Acceptance rate: 69.7% | Graduation rate: 62.5%
Nursing graduates earn $112,098/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 14,306 students.
Hawaii Pacific University (Honolulu)
In-state tuition: $33,020/year | Acceptance rate: 84.5% | Graduation rate: 43.0%
Nursing graduates earn $82,566/year (Bachelor's Degree). Enrollment: 2,502 students.
University of Hawaii at Hilo (Hilo)
In-state tuition: $7,838/year | Acceptance rate: 89.8% | Graduation rate: 42.0%
Nursing graduates earn $120,737/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 2,260 students.
Chaminade University of Honolulu (Honolulu)
In-state tuition: $29,970/year | Acceptance rate: 92.6% | Graduation rate: 62.3%
Nursing graduates earn $81,763/year (Bachelor's Degree). Enrollment: 1,648 students.
University of Hawaii Maui College (Kahului)
In-state tuition: $3,284/year | Graduation rate: 27.1%
Nursing graduates earn $82,841/year (Associate's Degree). Enrollment: 1,635 students.
Affordable ADN Programs
| School | Location | Tuition | Nursing Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kapiolani Community College | Honolulu | $3,284/yr | $78,558/yr |
| University of Hawaii Maui College | Kahului | $3,284/yr | $82,841/yr |
| Hawaii Community College | Hilo | $3,204/yr | $56,361/yr |
How to Choose the Right Program
Consider these factors when selecting a nursing program in Honolulu:
- Budget: Community college ADN programs are the cheapest path to an RN license, often under $5,000/year
- Career goals: ADN gets you working fastest; BSN opens more doors; MSN/DNP leads to advanced practice and highest earnings
- Transfer path: Many local CCs have articulation agreements with universities for ADN-to-BSN bridges
- Clinical sites: Look for programs with rotations at major local hospitals
Financial Aid
- Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often covers full CC tuition
- State grants — check Hawaii's state aid programs for residents
- HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship — tuition + living stipend for underserved area commitment
- Hospital tuition reimbursement — many employers pay for nurses pursuing higher degrees
Next Steps
Compare Honolulu nursing programs on GradeToGrad — see tuition, outcomes, and admissions data for every school.
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