2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Hawaii
Looking for the best-value Nursing degree programs in Hawaii? We have ranked 23 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 23 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Hawaii
Explore the best-value schools below:
University Of Hawaii Maui College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Nursing degree schools in Hawaii. University Of Hawaii Maui College is a public school based in Kahului, HI. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,453 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about University Of Hawaii Maui College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kapiolani Community College earned it the #2 place 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,599 ten years after entry. Set against $14,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Kapiolani Community College
Out of the 7 schools in Hawaii in this year's value ranking, Kauai Community College landed the #3 spot. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,868. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Get the full Kauai Community College report
You'll get strong value at Hawaii Community College, which ranked #4 this year. 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. Median earnings reach $34,891 ten years out. Set against $13,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Hawaii Community College profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Hawaii At Hilo earned it the #5 place in Hawaii. Located in Hilo, HI, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,838, while out-of-state students pay about $20,798. Typical Nursing student debt is $22,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,856. Set against $22,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Hilo has an acceptance rate of 61%. Get the full University Of Hawaii At Hilo report
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Honolulu, HI. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,624 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. University Of Hawaii At Manoa has an acceptance rate of 87%. More on University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Hawaii Pacific University landed the #7 spot for value in Hawaii this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Honolulu, HI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,392. The median Nursing program debt is $25,385. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,593. That is a strong return on a $25,385 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Hawaii Pacific University
Leeward Community College placed #8 among the best-value Nursing schools in Hawaii. Get the full Leeward Community College report
Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy landed the #9 spot for value in Hawaii this year. See the full Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy profile
Windward Community College placed #10 among the best-value Nursing schools in Hawaii. Get the full Windward Community College report
University Of Hawaii West Oahu ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. See the full University Of Hawaii West Oahu profile
Chaminade University Of Honolulu offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Read more about Chaminade University Of Honolulu
Brigham Young University Hawaii came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Brigham Young University Hawaii report
Hawaii Institute Of Hair Design ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read more about Hawaii Institute Of Hair Design
Pacific Rim Christian University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Pacific Rim Christian University
University Of Phoenix Hawaii Campus placed #16 among the best-value Nursing schools in Hawaii. Read the full report on University Of Phoenix Hawaii Campus
Hawaii Tokai International College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. More on Hawaii Tokai International College
Institute Of Clinical Acupuncture And Oriental Med placed #18 among the best-value Nursing schools in Hawaii. See the full Institute Of Clinical Acupuncture And Oriental Med profile
Ibs School Of Cosmetology And Massage came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Ibs School Of Cosmetology And Massage report
Mauna Loa Helicopters placed #20 among the best-value Nursing schools in Hawaii. More on Mauna Loa Helicopters
Hawaii Medical College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. More on Hawaii Medical College
Honolulu Community College landed the #22 spot for value in Hawaii this year. See the full Honolulu Community College profile
University Of Hawaii System Office landed the #23 spot for value in Hawaii this year. Read the full report on University Of Hawaii System Office
More Nursing Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 7 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).