University of Hawaii at Hilo
A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 2,160 students.
About This School
University of Hawaii at Hilo is a public institution located in Hilo, Hawaii with approximately 2,160 undergraduate students enrolled. University of Hawaii at Hilo has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 61%. The average net price after financial aid is $11,856 per year. The graduation rate is 48%, and the typical graduate earns $41,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
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.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at just $12,063/year average net price and a low median debt of $12,500, this is one of the more affordable paths to a public university degree — and the unique location in Hawaii offers genuine appeal for marine science, astronomy, and Hawaiian studies. However, the 42% graduation rate is a real concern, meaning fewer than half of entering students finish, and median earnings of $41,800 a decade out suggest limited financial upside for many graduates. Worth considering if you're drawn to a specific program, love a small campus setting, and have a clear plan to stay on track — but go in with eyes open about the completion odds.
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: 6% 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 (2,160 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
Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu, HI · Private nonprofit
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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