Hawaii Pacific University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. graduation rate is below 40%; freshman retention is below 65%. solid earnings of $56,400 within 10 years.
About This School
Hawaii Pacific University is a private nonprofit institution located in Honolulu, Hawaii with approximately 2,392 undergraduate students enrolled. Hawaii Pacific University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 86%. The average net price after financial aid is $29,657 per year. The graduation rate is 35%, and the typical graduate earns $56,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HPU) is a private university in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States. Oceanic Institute of HPU, an aquaculture research facility, is located at Makapuʻu Point. HPU is also present on military installations on the island of Oʻahu.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 41% graduation rate and 57% freshman retention rate suggest many students don't finish, which is a real red flag worth taking seriously before committing. On the upside, median debt at graduation is a low $12,000, and the Honolulu location with ties to military installations and marine research offers genuinely unique opportunities you won't find at most small private universities. Worth considering if you're drawn to the Pacific region, have a clear academic plan, and have honestly assessed what support you'll need to be among the students who actually cross the finish line.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 9% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,392 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Hawaii
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, HI · Public
Kapiolani Community College
Honolulu, HI · Public
Leeward Community College
Pearl City, HI · Public
Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Laie, HI · Private nonprofit
University of Hawaii-West Oahu
Kapolei, HI · Public
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Hilo, HI · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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