College Search
University of Hawaii at Hilo

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Hilo, HI · Town · 2,160 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$11,856
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
45%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
58% typical
$47,856
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,545 typical
61%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
About

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is a close-knit public institution renowned for leveraging the Big Island as a dynamic living laboratory, with standout academic programs in marine science, astronomy, volcanology, and pharmacy. It is globally distinguished by its Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, a pioneering center for indigenous language revitalization and cultural preservation. Campus culture is relaxed, diverse, and community-centered, offering students an intimate learning environment characterized by small class sizes and accessible faculty mentorship. Setting UH Hilo apart is its emphasis on hands-on undergraduate fieldwork, allowing students to conduct direct research across diverse ecosystems ranging from living coral reefs to world-class observatories atop Mauna Kea.


Wikipedia:The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is a public university in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, United States. It is one of ten campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi System. It was founded as Hilo Center at Lyman Hall of the Hilo Boys School in 1945 and was a branch campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. In 1970 it was reorganized by an act of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and became a campus within the newly created University of Hawaiʻi System.

Location
Hilo, HI, 96720-4091 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
HNL · Honolulu
215 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$7,838$20,798
Housing & food (on campus)$11,586$11,586
Books & supplies$1,360$1,360
Cost of attendance$26,350$39,310
Average net price$11,856Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$20,798
In-state: $7,838
Housing & food (on campus)$11,586
Books & supplies$1,360
Cost of attendance$39,310
In-state: $26,350
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $11,856
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: hilo.hawaii.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
University of Hawaii at Hilo’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$20,592
Fees$710
Housing$3,908
Food$8,298
Books & supplies$1,450
Personal expenses$2,786
Transportation$1,490
Total published by the school$39,310
See how the in-state total ($26,350) is made up
How it’s made up · in-state, 2026-27
University of Hawaii at Hilo’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$7,632
Fees$710
Housing$3,908
Food$8,298
Books & supplies$1,450
Personal expenses$2,786
Transportation$1,490
Total published by the school$26,350
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$8,983
$30–48k
$9,243
$48–75k
$11,535
$75–110k
$14,734
$110k+
$17,403
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
45%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
30%
Back for yr 2
73%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
45% graduated · 29% transferred · 2% still enrolled · 24% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$37,204
10 yrs after entry$47,856
Debt
Median at graduation$20,500
Monthly payment$217
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$24.9k
90th percentile$34,426
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
61%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1028
R 490–610 · M 455–565
ACT midpoint
19
Comp 15–22 · E 14–22 · M 15–20
SAT middle 50%: 945–1175
40080012001600

Wondering if University of Hawaii at Hilo is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts

If University of Hawaii at Hilo asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 37%Women 63%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
11 : 1
Pell grant
40%
First-gen
37%
Family income
$27,504
Independent
31%
Age at entry
24.0
Part-time
18%
Race & ethnicity
White
20%
Hispanic
17%
Black
1%
Asian
13%
Two or more
35%
Non-resident
5%
NH/PI
10%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Women's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$37,204
After 10 yrs
$47,856
Psychology, General67
Business Administration, Management and Operations59
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology46
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration40
Communication and Media Studies37
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing37
Criminal Justice and Corrections36
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness33
Biology, General24
Agriculture, General18
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies18
Sociology16
Accounting and Related Services16
Anthropology15
Geography and Cartography14
Political Science and Government14
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$366,421
Full-time faculty
76%
Faculty salary
$12,097/mo
Teaching spend
$23,630
per student
Federal loans
30%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral/Professional University
Research activity
Research college or university
$9M research spending · 2 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if University of Hawaii at Hilo is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search