Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Hawaii
Hawaii is a go-to destination for vacationers worldwide, but thousands of nurses call Hawaii home. The pay is high, the location is desirable, and the exploration adventures are endless. Read on to learn about the top nursing schools in Hawaii to help decide the right one for you.
Top 10 Nursing Schools in Hawaii
This is a panel-reviewed selection based on a number of factors, including,
- Reputation
- NCLEX-RN pass rate
- Tuition
- Acceptance rate, when available
- Only ACEN or CCNE-accredited schools are eligible
Nurse Panel
Our selection panel includes 4 Registered Nurses with over 55 years of combined nursing experience and 7 nursing degrees.
- Tracy Everhart, MSN, RN, CNS
- Tyler Faust, MSN, RN
- Kathleen Gaines MSN, RN, BA, CBC
- Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN
Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 Hawaii nursing schools are ranked in no particular order.
1. University of Hawaii Hilo
Annual In-State Tuition: $14,688 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $40,608 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 82.50%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
Originally part of the University of Hawaii Manoa, the University of Hawaii at Hilo split in 1970 and has since become one of the best regional schools. The bulk of UH Hilo's 2,700 students are undergraduates, pursuing degrees like the traditional BSN. This transfer-friendly BSN lets you transfer credits from any UH school directly into the program. UH Hilo only offers two doctoral programs, one of which is the doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Once students complete their BSN, they can apply to the BSN-DNP program, a three-year, eight-semester on-campus degree. UH Hilo also boasts that it is the only BSN program on the outer islands and offers students exclusive rural clinical learning experiences.
2. University of Phoenix Hawaii
Annual Tuition: $12,736 (based on per-credit tuition rate) | NCLEX Pass Rate: N/A
Traditional: No
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
Mostly known as an online school, the University of Phoenix actually has a campus in Kapolei on Oahu. So, while most of the courses are online, nursing students can still enjoy the campus lifestyle. The University of Phoenix Hawaii doesn't yet have a traditional BSN program, but Hawaii students can complete the following,
- RN-BSN
- Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in health informatics, health management and administration, nurse leadership
- DNP
The tuition is $398 per credit, regardless of where you live and whether you study online or on campus.
3. Chaminade University of Honolulu
Annual Tuition: $28,544 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 92.45%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: No
Chaminade University is the only Catholic college in Hawaii, though religion doesn't play a central role in the school's curriculum. 20 different religions are represented through the 1,028 undergraduate students enrolled, so if you aren't religious, Chaminade may still be a good fit. Nursing students at Chaminade have one option: a traditional BSN. Graduates of this program have an excellent track record on the NCLEX, possibly due to Chaminade's emphasis on mentorship. Also, while the price is high compared to in-state tuition at other major universities, 98% of students receive some form of financial aid, so the price could be much lower than the tuition represents.
4. University of Hawaii at Manoa
Annual In-State Tuition: $11,304 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $33,336 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 97.62%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
The University of Hawaii at Manoa is the oldest school in the UH system. Based in Honolulu, UH Manoa is also the largest school in the public system, as well as one of the most diverse universities in the nation. Despite its large size, UH Manoa boasts an average class size of 20 students, and students in the School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene can expect even more intimate classes. The BSN has a direct entry option for current high school students, and some of the graduate-level degrees can be completed entirely online.
5. Hawaii Pacific University
Annual Tuition: $35,040 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 85.19%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
While Hawaii Pacific University is based primarily out of Honolulu, the school also has its Hawaii-Loa campus-based northeast of Honolulu which offers a traditional college experience. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of HPU is that it's a non-religious private school, a rarity in higher education. Of course, future nurses should care most about the quality of the traditional BSN. Hawaii Pacific University also offers a relatively new DNP program with two pathways: MSN to DNP and BSN to DNP.
6. Hawaii Community College
Annual In-State Tuition: $3,144 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $8,280 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Traditional: No
Online: No
Accelerated: No
Bridge: No
Based in Hilo, Hawaii Community College doesn't offer a four-year nursing degree. However, as part of the UH system, future nurses can complete their associate of science in nursing (ASN) in two years at Hawaii CC, take and pass the NCLEX, then complete an RN-BSN program at another school if they chose to. Pacific Islander students that aren't Hawaii residents receive a discounted tuition rate that's only slightly higher than the in-state tuition rate. So, even if you aren't from Hawaii, you could still be eligible for a huge tuition discount. Hawaii CC only graduates a handful of students each year but has an impressive NCLEX pass rate.
7. Kapiolani Community College
Annual In-State Tuition: $3,144 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $8,280 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.08%
Traditional: No
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
Originally a technical school, Kapiolani Community College has grown into an important part of the University of Hawaii system. Much like Hawaii CC, Kapiolani CC doesn't have a traditional nursing program. Instead, students can complete an ASN, pass the NCLEX, then earn a BSN through an RN-BSN program. Fortunately, Kapiolani CC nursing students have excelled on the NCLEX in the past, so future students are practically guaranteed a quality education. Kapiolani CC shares a lot in common with Hawaii CC, including the same tuition rates and structure.
8. University of Hawaii - Kauai Community College
Annual In-State Tuition: $3,144 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $8,280 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 89.47%
Traditional: No
Online: No
Accelerated: No
Bridge: No
Serving as the UH system's community college on Kauai, the University of Hawaii - Kauai Community College offers many of the same options as other UH community colleges. Students interested in nursing should select the AS in nursing that leads to becoming an RN. From here, graduates can pass the NCLEX and then enroll in an RN-BSN program elsewhere in Hawaii. This two-year program is ideal for anyone living on or planning to live on Kauai.
9. University of Hawaii - Maui College
Annual In-State Tuition: $3,144 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $8,280 (based on per-credit tuition rate) | NCLEX Pass Rate: 89.47%
Traditional: No
Online: No
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
The University of Hawaii - Maui College boasts small class sizes, a beautiful campus, and, of course, a prime location on Maui. Maui College doesn't offer a complete BSN program, though students who want a BSN can complete their first two years at Maui College and then transfer directly into UH Manoa's BSN. Upper-division courses cost more for both residents and non-residents, so if you plan on completing a four-year degree, expect to pay higher tuition during years three and four.
10. Aspen University
Annual Tuition: $9,750 | NCLEX Pass Rate: N/A
Traditional: No
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: No
While Aspen College is technically located in Colorado, this college's online presence is among the best in the nation. For aspiring nurses looking to begin their career in Hawaii, the best option offered through Aspen College is to complete the entire online RN-BSN. Of course, students must first become RNs, though there are plenty of options scattered over multiple islands in Hawaii. In terms of flexibility and affordability, Aspen College is an excellent option for completing your BSN.
Show Me Hawaii Nursing Programs
Nurse Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),
- Hawaii RNs earn an annual mean wage of $106,530, the second-highest rate in the nation behind California.
- Hawaii employs 11,110 nurses, among the lowest in the nation.
Hawaii's low employment isn't as drastic as it may seem at first glance. The Sunshine State has far fewer residents than most other states and employs more nurses per 1,000 workers than California, Washington, and Nevada.
Not only does Hawaii employ more nurses relative to larger states, but the mean annual wage of $106,530 is incredible. However, it is important to note that while the annual wage is significantly higher than the national average for nurses, the cost of living in Hawaii is MUCH higher than other states. So while you may be making a lot of money, the cost of rent, gas, and groceries is significantly higher.
Aside from being a high-paying state that employs more nurses relative to states like California and Washington, nurses who live in Hawaii get to enjoy the tropical island lifestyle. Who isn't looking to experience that?!
Next Steps
Hawaii has some great nursing schools to look at. Once you've found a few that fit your personal needs, the next steps in the process are to get in touch with each school, prepare a strong application, then apply. Be sure to apply to every school you're interested in -- you could end up receiving a nice scholarship or grant from a college that wants you!
Here are the next steps broken down:
Contact each school’s admissions offices. Getting in touch with the admissions office should be a priority. The admissions office can answer questions you have about the school, the application process, and the best way to proceed.
Check to see if you meet the nursing school requirements. Ask the admissions office about the nursing school and any additional admission requirements. Nursing schools often have their own set of admission requirements that are stricter than the university's requirements.
Submit your application(s). After you've put together application materials, the final step is to apply. Your application is extremely important, so spend some time making your application as strong as possible! Strong applications lead to acceptance and potential financial aid.
In your application, be prepared to submit:
-
High school transcript (GPA)
-
ACT and/or SAT scores
-
College entrance essay(s)
-
Letter(s) of recommendation
Important Considerations When Comparing Schools
You've been accepted to (hopefully) every program you applied to. But before you choose a school, take a moment to think about what the best option is. It's easy to choose a school solely based on price, reputation, difficulty, etc. Instead of making a quick decision, take the following considerations into account -- it could help you find the best school for your nursing career!
- Tuition cost and cost of the nursing program
- Type of school (public or private)
- Financial aid, scholarships, and grants offered
- Cost of living on-campus or in the area
- Distance from home
- School and nursing program acceptance rate
- Time it takes to complete the program
- Program outcomes (NCLEX pass rate and job placement)
- School’s accreditation (regional and national)
Why you should care about the nursing program’s accreditation
Accreditation is a way for colleges to verify their academic quality. The best accreditation a school can earn is regional accreditation, and the regionally accrediting body for Hawaii is the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. On top of regional accreditation, the best programs (including nursing programs) have programmatic accreditation.
The two nursing accreditation organizations to look for are
If you earn a degree from an unaccredited school, you may have trouble securing federal financial aid and finding work as a nurse after graduation.
Getting a License in Hawaii
Hawaii has relatively straightforward requirements for becoming a nurse. As long as you earn an ASN or BSN from an accredited school, all requirements for licensure should be satisfied.
In addition to earning a degree and becoming NCLEX-RN eligible, you'll need to:
-
Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
-
Submit electronic fingerprints and pass a criminal background check
-
Pay an application fee and complete an application through the Hawaii Board of Nursing
Final Thoughts
Beaches and tropical forests aside, Hawaii is a top destination for nurses due in part to the incredibly high wages nurses earn. To become eligible for a nursing license in Hawaii, you should study at a university, college, or community college. Once you've earned your degree, you're ready to become a registered nurse and start your nursing career!
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