Nursing Schools in Hawaii (2026)
11 accredited nursing programs found
Hawaii has 11 nursing-relevant schools in this directory, with 7 public and 4 private institutions. Average in-state tuition is $12,518, with public schools averaging $5,180 and private schools averaging $29,639. The 25th-to-75th-percentile tuition band runs from $3,252 to $25,927 — a wide range driven by the contrast between the University of Hawai‘i community-college system and the higher-cost private institutions. The cheapest tracked program is Hawaii Community College at $3,204 per year, and the largest by undergraduate enrollment is the University of Hawaii at Manoa at approximately 14,306.
Across Hawaii programs the average graduation rate is 42.0 percent and the average retention rate is 68.4 percent. Median post-graduation earnings average $42,249 and median federal debt at graduation averages $14,949. The state's healthcare employer base is concentrated around Oahu, with The Queen's Health Systems, Hawaii Pacific Health, and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii anchoring most of the major hospital employment for new RN graduates.
Registered Nurse Market in Hawaii
BLS wage and employment data for registered nurses
Registered Nurse Salary in Hawaii
Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
Matches the Hawaii average of $12,518.
Matches the Hawaii average of 42.0%.
Matches the Hawaii median of $42,249.
Tuition Overview
| Avg Public Tuition | $5,180 |
| Lowest Tuition | $3,204 |
| Highest Tuition | $33,020 |
| Avg Private Tuition | $29,639 |
Student Outcomes
| Avg Graduation Rate | 42.0% |
| Avg Earnings After Grad | $44,701 |
| Avg Student Debt | $14,949 |
| Total Enrollment | 32,165 |
All Nursing Schools in Hawaii
| Institution | City | Type | Tuition (In-State) | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | Honolulu | Public | $12,186 | 14,306 |
| Kapiolani Community College | Honolulu | Public | $3,284 | 3,955 |
| Leeward Community College | Pearl City | Public | $3,214 | 3,382 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu | Private | $33,020 | 2,502 |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hilo | Public | $7,838 | 2,260 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu | Private | $29,970 | 1,648 |
| University of Hawaii Maui College | Kahului | Public | $3,284 | 1,635 |
| Hawaii Community College | Hilo | Public | $3,204 | 1,470 |
| Kauai Community College | Lihue | Public | $3,252 | 726 |
| Hawaii Medical College | Honolulu | For-Profit | $25,927 | 217 |
| IBS School of Cosmetology and Massage | Kahului | For-Profit | N/A | 64 |
Nursing Schools by City in Hawaii
Nursing Guides & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Hawaii Nursing Market Context
BLS data for Hawaii shows an RN median annual wage of $110,970 and a mean of $113,220 — among the highest in the country. The 10th to 90th percentile range runs from $80,410 to $142,100. Statewide RN employment is approximately 12,760 and the projected growth rate is 5 percent.
Median program debt of $14,949 against a $110,970 RN median wage produces an exceptionally favorable payback profile on paper. The 10th-percentile figure of $80,410 substantially exceeds the national RN median, meaning even early-career Hawaii nurses earn well above the typical national wage. The dominant practical consideration is housing cost, particularly on Oahu, which absorbs a substantial portion of the headline wage advantage. The state's small healthcare market means competition for desirable specialty placements is keen, but RNs willing to work outer-island or rural shifts often find unusually accessible entry points.