2026 Best Value Science & Tech Schools in Hawaii
Looking for the best-value Science & Tech degree programs in Hawaii? Our ranking highlights 23 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed 12 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 23 Best-Value Science & Tech Degree Schools in Hawaii
Explore the best-value schools below:
Kapiolani Community College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Hawaii. This public school is set in Honolulu, HI. In-state tuition and fees average $3,284, compared with $8,420 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $14,738. Median earnings reach $44,599 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Kapiolani Community College report
A rank of #2 makes University Of Hawaii Maui College one of the best values in Hawaii. This public school is set in Kahului, HI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,284, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. The median Science & Tech program debt is $11,824. Median earnings reach $34,453 ten years out. Set against $11,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full University Of Hawaii Maui College report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Honolulu Community College earned it the #3 place in Hawaii. Based in Honolulu, HI, Honolulu Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,174, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $10,868. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,105 ten years after entry. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Honolulu Community College
Leeward Community College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Science & Tech ranking in Hawaii. Located in Pearl City, HI, Leeward Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,214, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,776 to complete their Science & Tech program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,899. That is a strong return on a $10,776 median debt. Read the full report on Leeward Community College
Out of the 12 schools in Hawaii in this year's value ranking, Hawaii Community College landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Hilo, HI. Students from in state pay about $3,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,340. The median Science & Tech program debt is $13,170. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,891. Set against $13,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Hawaii Community College
Brigham Young University Hawaii ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Based in Laie, HI, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,064. The acceptance rate is 47%. More on Brigham Young University Hawaii
University Of Hawaii West Oahu landed the #7 spot for value in Hawaii this year. Based in Kapolei, HI, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,584, compared with $20,544 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $19,957. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%. Read more about University Of Hawaii West Oahu
University Of Phoenix Hawaii Campus came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Kapolei, HI, University Of Phoenix Hawaii Campus is a private for-profit institution. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $37,546. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,752. That is a strong return on a $37,546 median debt. More on University Of Phoenix Hawaii Campus
University Of Hawaii At Hilo offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in Hilo, HI. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,838, while out-of-state students pay about $20,798. The median Science & Tech program debt is $22,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,856 ten years after entry. Set against $22,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Hilo has an acceptance rate of 61%. More on University Of Hawaii At Hilo
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #10 spot for value in Hawaii this year. Set in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. University Of Hawaii At Manoa Science & Tech students take on a median of $20,577 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,624. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
Chaminade University Of Honolulu offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Honolulu, HI, Chaminade University Of Honolulu is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,874. Graduates carry a median of $25,096 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,343. Set against $25,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chaminade University Of Honolulu has an acceptance rate of 91%. Read more about Chaminade University Of Honolulu
Hawaii Pacific University offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Hawaii Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Honolulu, HI. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,392. Hawaii Pacific University Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,385 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,593 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%. More on Hawaii Pacific University
Hawaii Institute Of Hair Design offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. See the full Hawaii Institute Of Hair Design profile
University Of Hawaii System Office placed #14 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Hawaii. Read more about University Of Hawaii System Office
Hawaii Tokai International College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Get the full Hawaii Tokai International College report
Windward Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. More on Windward Community College
Hawaii Medical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. More on Hawaii Medical College
Kauai Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Read more about Kauai Community College
Mauna Loa Helicopters placed #19 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Hawaii. See the full Mauna Loa Helicopters profile
Institute Of Clinical Acupuncture And Oriental Med placed #20 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Hawaii. See the full Institute Of Clinical Acupuncture And Oriental Med profile
Pacific Rim Christian University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Read more about Pacific Rim Christian University
Ibs School Of Cosmetology And Massage ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. See the full Ibs School Of Cosmetology And Massage profile
Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy landed the #23 spot for value in Hawaii this year. See the full Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy profile
More Science & Tech Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 12 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).