Hawaii: Colleges & Universities

Colleges & Universities in Hawaii

Public Universities, Community Colleges & Private Institutions

Hawaii has a unique higher-education system that combines public universities, community colleges, career and technical education, and private colleges and universities across the Hawaiian Islands.

The state's public higher-education system is centered around the University of Hawaiʻi System, which includes 3 universities and 7 community colleges serving students throughout the islands.

This directory brings together Hawaii's major public and private degree-granting institutions in one convenient list. It is designed for high-school students, college applicants, parents, transfer students, adult learners, career changers, and anyone researching higher education opportunities in Hawaii.

The main directory below contains 18 Hawaii-based institutions: 10 public University of Hawaiʻi institutions and 8 private institutions.

Hawaii Higher-Education at a Glance

3

Public Universities

University of Hawaiʻi

7

Public Community Colleges

UH Community Colleges

8

Private Institutions

Hawaii-based

18

Total Institutions

Main Directory

How the 18-Institution Directory Is Organized:

• 3 public four-year universities within the University of Hawaiʻi System.
• 7 public community colleges within the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges.
• 8 private Hawaii-based institutions, including four-year, two-year, career-focused and specialized institutions.
• Total: 18 institutions.

1. Public Universities — 3

The University of Hawaiʻi System has three public universities: UH Mānoa, UH Hilo, and UH West Oʻahu. The University of Hawaiʻi identifies these as its three university campuses within its ten-campus statewide system.

#	Institution	Address	Official Website
1	University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo	200 West Kāwili Street, Hilo, HI 96720	hilo.hawaii.edu
2	University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa	2500 Campus Road, Honolulu, HI 96822	manoa.hawaii.edu
3	University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu	91-1001 Farrington Highway, Kapolei, HI 96707	westoahu.hawaii.edu

2. Public Community Colleges — 7

The University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges consist of seven public community colleges located across the Hawaiian Islands. They provide associate degrees, certificates, career and technical education, workforce training, transfer pathways, and other academic programs.

#	Institution	Address	Official Website
1	Hawaiʻi Community College	1175 Manono Street, Hilo, HI 96720	hawaii.hawaii.edu
2	Honolulu Community College	874 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96817	honolulu.hawaii.edu
3	Kapiʻolani Community College	4303 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816	kapiolani.hawaii.edu
4	Kauaʻi Community College	3-1901 Kaumualiʻi Highway, Līhuʻe, HI 96766	kauai.hawaii.edu
5	Leeward Community College	96-045 Ala ʻIke, Pearl City, HI 96782	leeward.hawaii.edu
6	University of Hawaiʻi Maui College	310 West Kaʻahumanu Avenue, Kahului, HI 96732	maui.hawaii.edu
7	Windward Community College	45-720 Keaʻahala Road, Kāneʻohe, HI 96744	windward.hawaii.edu

3. Private Institutions — 8

Hawaii also has private colleges and universities offering bachelor's, associate, graduate, career-focused, and specialized programs. The institutions below are Hawaii-based institutions included in current national higher-education classification and/or state authorization data.

#	Institution	Address	Official Website
1	Brigham Young University–Hawaii	55-220 Kulanui Street, Laie, HI 96762	byuh.edu
2	Chaminade University of Honolulu	3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816	chaminade.edu
3	Hawaiʻi Pacific University	1 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu, HI 96813	hpu.edu
4	Hawaiʻi Tokai International College	91-971 Farrington Highway, Kapolei, HI 96707	htic.edu
5	Hawaiʻi Medical College	1221 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 644, Honolulu, HI 96814	hmi.edu
6	Institute of Clinical Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine	100 N. Beretania Street, Suite 203B, Honolulu, HI 96817	orientalmedicine.edu
7	Pacific Rim Christian University	2223 Hoonee Place, Honolulu, HI 96819	pacrim.edu
8	University of Phoenix–Hawaii	949 Kaokila Boulevard, Kapolei, HI 96707	phoenix.edu

Important Note:

The main directory contains Hawaii-based institutions rather than every out-of-state university that may operate an education center, military learning center, distance-learning operation, or specialized program in Hawaii.

The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs maintains a separate authorized-schools list for postsecondary institutions with a physical presence or authorized educational activity in Hawaii. That broader list can include institutions headquartered outside Hawaii.

Hawaii Higher-Education Directory — Total: 18 Institutions

• Public Universities: 3
• Public Community Colleges: 7
• Private Institutions: 8

Additional Postsecondary Institutions Operating in Hawaii

Hawaii's state authorization system also lists institutions headquartered outside Hawaii that operate approved programs, learning centers, or other educational activities in the state. Examples include A.T. Still University, Arizona State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Maryland Global Campus, and other institutions. These are not counted in the 18 Hawaii-based institutions above.

For the most current list of authorized institutions, please consult the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' official Post-secondary Education Authorization Program.

Sources / References

1. University of Hawaiʻi System
   UH — Campuses
   Official source confirming the University of Hawaiʻi System's 3 universities and 7 community colleges.
2. University of Hawaiʻi — Apply
   UH — Apply / Campus Information
   Official campus names, addresses, admissions information and links for UH universities and community colleges.
3. University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges
   UH Community Colleges
   Official source for Hawaii's seven public community colleges.
4. Hawaii.gov — Education
   Hawaii.gov — Colleges & Universities
   Hawaii state government reference for public and private higher-education institutions.
5. Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs — Post-secondary Education Authorization Program
   HPEAP — Authorized Schools
   Official Hawaii state authorization list for institutions operating in or providing authorized postsecondary education in Hawaii.
6. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
   NCES — IPEDS
   Federal higher-education data source covering colleges, universities, and technical/vocational institutions.
7. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
   Carnegie — Hawaii Institutions
   Current classification reference for Hawaii institutions, including public, private nonprofit and private for-profit institutions.

Last reviewed: August 2026

This directory is intended for educational and informational purposes. Institution classifications, addresses, programs, campuses, and websites may change. Students should verify admission, enrollment, accreditation, tuition, and program information directly with the institution.