2026 Best Nursing Schools in Hawaii
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in Hawaii? We have ranked 23 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 23 Nursing Degree Schools in Hawaii
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
University Of Hawaii Maui College earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in Hawaii. University Of Hawaii Maui College is a public school based in Kahului, HI. University Of Hawaii Maui College graduates 8% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $3,284 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. The median Nursing program debt is $11,824. Read more about University Of Hawaii Maui College
Request InformationThe strong Nursing programs at University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned it the #2 place in Hawaii. This public school is set in Honolulu, HI. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete their Nursing program here. More on University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Request InformationA rank of #3 makes Kapiolani Community College one of the top choices in Hawaii. Set in Honolulu, HI, Kapiolani Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,284, compared with $8,420 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $14,738. Read more about Kapiolani Community College
Request InformationOut of the 16 schools in Hawaii in this year's ranking, University Of Hawaii At Hilo landed the #4 spot. Located in Hilo, HI, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,838, while out-of-state students pay about $20,798. Typical Nursing student debt is $22,615. Get the full University Of Hawaii At Hilo report
Request InformationA rank of #5 makes Hawaii Pacific University one of the top choices in Hawaii. This private not-for-profit school is set in Honolulu, HI. About 35% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,392. The median Nursing program debt is $25,385. Read the full report on Hawaii Pacific University
Request InformationKauai Community College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Lihue, HI, Kauai Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,388. The median Nursing program debt is $5,500. Get the full Kauai Community College report
Request InformationHawaii Community College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Hilo, HI, Hawaii Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,340. Hawaii Community College Nursing students take on a median of $13,170 in debt. See the full Hawaii Community College profile
Request InformationMakana Esthetics Wellness Academy did well this year, earning the #8 position. See the full Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy profile
Request InformationUniversity Of Hawaii System Office placed #9 among Nursing schools in Hawaii. Read the full report on University Of Hawaii System Office
Request InformationHawaii Institute Of Hair Design ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read more about Hawaii Institute Of Hair Design
Request InformationHawaii Tokai International College landed the #11 spot in Hawaii this year. More on Hawaii Tokai International College
Request InformationIbs School Of Cosmetology And Massage placed #12 among Nursing schools in Hawaii. Get the full Ibs School Of Cosmetology And Massage report
Request InformationPacific Rim Christian University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read the full report on Pacific Rim Christian University
Request InformationLeeward Community College did well this year, earning the #14 position. Get the full Leeward Community College report
Request InformationUniversity Of Phoenix Hawaii Campus did well this year, earning the #15 position. Read the full report on University Of Phoenix Hawaii Campus
Request InformationUniversity Of Hawaii West Oahu did well this year, earning the #16 position. See the full University Of Hawaii West Oahu profile
Request InformationMauna Loa Helicopters came in at #17 in this year's ranking. More on Mauna Loa Helicopters
Request InformationBrigham Young University Hawaii landed the #18 spot in Hawaii this year. Get the full Brigham Young University Hawaii report
Request InformationWindward Community College placed #19 among Nursing schools in Hawaii. Get the full Windward Community College report
Request InformationHonolulu Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. See the full Honolulu Community College profile
Request InformationHawaii Medical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. More on Hawaii Medical College
Request InformationChaminade University Of Honolulu landed the #22 spot in Hawaii this year. Read more about Chaminade University Of Honolulu
Request InformationInstitute Of Clinical Acupuncture And Oriental Med came in at #23 in this year's ranking. See the full Institute Of Clinical Acupuncture And Oriental Med profile
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 16 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).