Top 10 Private Colleges in Hawaii
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Private Colleges in Hawaii
Direct Answer
The Best Overall private college in Hawaii is the University of Hawaii system's lone large private peer, Hawaii Pacific University (HPU), whose broad academics, international student body, and strong marine and nursing programs make it the most complete private option in the state.
The Best Value pick is Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYU-Hawaii), whose very low tuition for members of its sponsoring church and strong global outcomes deliver standout value. This list is built for students and families choosing among Hawaii's private colleges, with a focus on academics, outcomes, and fit.
Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from U.S. News, Niche, IPEDS, and college sources.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each college against what students and families prioritize, drawing on U.S. News, Niche, IPEDS/College Scorecard, and college profiles. The weighting:
- Academic quality and program strength - 25%
- Graduation and post-grad outcomes - 20%
- Value, net price, and aid - 15%
- Faculty and resources - 15%
- Campus environment and fit - 15%
- Selectivity and student support - 10%
Note: Hawaii has a small number of private colleges, so this list spans four-year universities, faith-based colleges, and specialized institutions to give families a complete picture.
1. Hawaii Pacific University 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Private, nonprofit, ~4,000 students | Location: Honolulu, Oahu | Best for: Students wanting broad academics and an international community
Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu is the state's largest private university, enrolling roughly 4,000 students from across the U.S. And dozens of countries. HPU offers the broadest private academic catalog in Hawaii, with standout programs in marine science, nursing, and business.
The university reports a diverse, international student body and strong professional placement in health and business fields. Its downtown and Hawaii Loa campuses give students access to both city and natural settings.
Pros:
- Broadest private academic catalog in the state
- Standout marine science and nursing programs
- Highly international student body
- Strong professional placement in health and business
Cons:
- Larger and less intimate than the small colleges
- Net price varies widely by program
Verdict: HPU wins on balance, offering the most complete private academics and the most international community in Hawaii.
2. Brigham Young University-Hawaii 💎 BEST VALUE
Type: Private, faith-based, ~3,200 students | Location: Laie, Oahu | Best for: Students seeking very low tuition and a global community
Brigham Young University-Hawaii in Laie enrolls about 3,200 students from across the Pacific and Asia, and its very low tuition for members of its sponsoring church makes it the clear Best Value. BYU-Hawaii reports solid graduation rates, strong business, education, and hospitality programs, and an unusually global student body.
The campus's work-study and Polynesian Cultural Center ties give students real-world experience.
Pros:
- Very low tuition for sponsoring-church members
- Strong global student community
- Solid business, education, and hospitality programs
- Real-world work-study opportunities
Cons:
- Faith-based honor code is a fit consideration
- Remote North Shore location
Verdict: The value pick, delivering strong outcomes and a global experience at standout-low tuition.
3. Chaminade University of Honolulu
Type: Private, Catholic, ~2,000 students | Location: Honolulu, Oahu | Best for: Students wanting small classes and strong health-science pathways
Chaminade University of Honolulu is a Catholic, Marianist university enrolling about 2,000 students. Chaminade is known for small classes, strong nursing, forensic science, and education programs, and a mission of service. The university reports solid graduation outcomes and good professional placement, with a student-teacher ratio near 11:1 and a focus on first-generation student support.
Pros:
- Small classes and strong student support
- Notable nursing and forensic science programs
- Service-oriented Catholic mission
- Strong first-generation student focus
Cons:
- Faith mission is a fit consideration
- Smaller program menu than HPU
Verdict: A strong small Catholic university, especially for health-science and service-minded students.
4. Hawaii Tokai International College
Type: Private, two-year/transfer, ~150 students | Location: Kapolei, Oahu | Best for: International students seeking a U.S. Transfer pathway
Hawaii Tokai International College in Kapolei is a small private college affiliated with Japan's Tokai University, enrolling about 150 students focused on liberal arts and transfer preparation. The college offers strong English-language support and a clear transfer pathway to four-year universities.
Very small classes and individualized advising define the experience.
Pros:
- Strong transfer preparation
- Excellent English-language support
- Very small, personal classes
- International, Japan-affiliated community
Cons:
- Two-year focus, not a four-year degree
- Very limited program menu
Verdict: A focused transfer-prep college, ideal for international students entering U.S. Higher education.
5. Transpacific Hawaii College
Type: Private, two-year/transfer, ~120 students | Location: Honolulu, Oahu | Best for: International students wanting small-college transfer prep
Transpacific Hawaii College in Honolulu is a small private college serving mainly international students with a liberal arts and transfer curriculum. The college emphasizes English immersion and personalized advising, preparing students to move on to four-year universities. Its small scale ensures close faculty contact.
Pros:
- Strong English-immersion model
- Personalized transfer advising
- Small, close-knit classes
- International student focus
Cons:
- Two-year, transfer-focused only
- Narrow academic offerings
Verdict: A small, personal transfer-prep college tailored to international students.
6. Hawaii Pacific University Military Campus Programs
Type: Private, professional, varies | Location: Multiple Oahu sites | Best for: Military-affiliated students wanting flexible private degrees
HPU's military and continuing-education programs serve service members and veterans across Oahu bases with flexible scheduling and online options. These programs report strong veteran support and credit for military experience, making private four-year degrees attainable for active-duty students.
They extend HPU's academics to a working-adult population.
Pros:
- Flexible scheduling for service members
- Strong veteran and military support
- Credit for military experience
- Backed by HPU's full academics
Cons:
- Geared to military-affiliated students
- Program availability varies by base
Verdict: The best private option for military-affiliated students seeking flexible degrees in Hawaii.
7. Chaminade University Online and Accelerated Programs
Type: Private, professional, varies | Location: Honolulu / online | Best for: Working adults wanting flexible Catholic-university degrees
Chaminade's accelerated and online programs serve working adults seeking degrees in business, criminal justice, and education. These programs pair Chaminade's service mission with evening and online flexibility, and report solid completion among adult learners. They broaden access to a respected private university.
Pros:
- Flexible evening and online formats
- Career-focused adult programs
- Backed by Chaminade's mission and faculty
- Strong adult-learner completion
Cons:
- Adult-learner focus, not traditional residential
- Limited to select majors
Verdict: A flexible path to a respected private degree for Hawaii's working adults.
8. BYU-Hawaii Hospitality and Tourism Management
Type: Private, faith-based program | Location: Laie, Oahu | Best for: Students targeting Hawaii's tourism economy
BYU-Hawaii's hospitality and tourism management program is a standout for students aiming at the islands' dominant industry. The program pairs classroom learning with Polynesian Cultural Center work experience and reports strong industry placement. It is a focused strength within an already high-value university.
Pros:
- Direct pipeline to Hawaii's tourism industry
- Hands-on PCC work experience
- Strong placement outcomes
- Within a very-low-tuition university
Cons:
- Single-industry focus
- Tied to BYU-Hawaii's honor code
Verdict: The top private program for students targeting Hawaii's tourism and hospitality economy.
9. Chaminade Nursing Program
Type: Private, professional program | Location: Honolulu, Oahu | Best for: Students pursuing nursing in the islands
Chaminade's nursing program is among the strongest private health pathways in Hawaii, with clinical partnerships across Honolulu hospitals and solid licensure outcomes. Small cohorts and close faculty mentorship prepare graduates for in-demand island healthcare roles.
Pros:
- Strong clinical partnerships in Honolulu
- Solid licensure outcomes
- Small, mentored cohorts
- In-demand career field
Cons:
- Competitive admission
- Single-field focus
Verdict: A leading private nursing pathway with strong clinical ties and outcomes.
10. HPU Marine Science Program
Type: Private, professional program | Location: Oahu | Best for: Students pursuing marine and oceanographic science
HPU's marine science program is a signature private strength in Hawaii, leveraging the islands' ocean environment for hands-on field research and reporting strong graduate-school and industry placement. Access to coral reefs, marine labs, and field stations gives students rare experiential learning.
Pros:
- Unmatched ocean-based field research access
- Strong graduate-school placement
- Hands-on lab and field experience
- Signature HPU strength
Cons:
- Specialized, single-field focus
- Competitive for top research spots
Verdict: The premier private marine science program in the state, built around Hawaii's ocean setting.
What to Look For When Choosing a Private College in Hawaii
- Program strength - Hawaii's private colleges shine in specific fields like marine science (HPU), nursing (Chaminade), and hospitality (BYU-Hawaii); match the school to your intended major.
- Net price and aid - Sticker tuition varies widely; BYU-Hawaii's low rate for church members and strong aid elsewhere can change the math dramatically.
- Mission and fit - Several private colleges are faith-based with honor codes or service missions; confirm the culture fits you.
- Outcomes and placement - Look at graduation rates and field-specific placement, especially in nursing and hospitality where licensure and industry ties matter.
- Four-year vs. Transfer - Some institutions (Tokai, Transpacific) focus on transfer prep rather than full four-year degrees.
- Location and cost of living - Oahu's cost of living is high; factor housing and travel into total cost.
What matters less than marketing implies: a single ranking number. In a small private market like Hawaii's, program fit, net price, and outcomes matter far more.
FAQ
Which private college is the best overall in Hawaii? Hawaii Pacific University earns the top spot for its broad academics, international community, and standout marine science and nursing programs.
What is the best value private college in Hawaii? Brigham Young University-Hawaii is our best value, with very low tuition for members of its sponsoring church and strong global outcomes.
Which Hawaii private college is best for nursing? Chaminade University of Honolulu offers one of the strongest private nursing pathways, with Honolulu clinical partnerships and solid licensure outcomes.
Are there many private colleges in Hawaii? No. Hawaii has a small number of private institutions, so this list spans four-year universities, faith-based colleges, and specialized or transfer-focused programs to give a complete picture.
Which Hawaii private college is best for tourism careers? BYU-Hawaii's hospitality and tourism management program is the top pick, with hands-on experience through the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Do Hawaii private colleges offer financial aid? Yes. All offer need- and merit-based aid, and BYU-Hawaii's base tuition is already very low for church members, which can make private education affordable.
Bottom Line
For students choosing among Hawaii's private colleges, Hawaii Pacific University is our Best Overall, with the broadest academics and an international community. Brigham Young University-Hawaii is our Best Value, delivering strong global outcomes at standout-low tuition.
If your priority is nursing, marine science, hospitality, or a transfer pathway, use the picks above to route to Chaminade, HPU's marine program, or BYU-Hawaii's hospitality track instead. Choose on program fit, net price, and outcomes rather than a single ranking number, and you will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- U.S. News - colleges in Hawaii
- Niche - Best Private Colleges in Hawaii
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- IPEDS - National Center for Education Statistics
- Hawaii Pacific University
- Brigham Young University-Hawaii
- Chaminade University of Honolulu
- Hawaii Tokai International College
- Hawaii P-20 / state education data
*Private colleges in Hawaii review - best private colleges Hawaii, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for students and families.*