Best colleges for Registered Nursing in Hawaii
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of Hawaii at Hilo and Chaminade University of Honolulu are the top bachelor's Registered Nursing programs in Hawaii by graduate earnings. University of Hawaii at Manoa leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $94,216, College Scorecard. Hawaii Pacific University, University of Hawaii at Manoa and Chaminade University of Honolulu award the most Registered Nursing degrees in Hawaii: 202, 165 and 115 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 Hawaii colleges offer Registered Nursing and award 691 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Registered Nursing program prepares students to become healthcare professionals who provide essential care to patients in various settings. This program covers a comprehensive curriculum that equips students with the necessary skills…
Top 4 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu Public · Bachelor's degree | $94,216 | 165 | 64% | — | $15,308 |
| 2 | University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo Public · Bachelor's degree | $84,401 | 54 | 48% | — | $26,875 |
| 3 | Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $81,125 | 115 | 55% | $25,919 | $31,000 |
| 4 | Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,892 | 202 | 35% | $30,299 | $25,000 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii Community College Hilo Public · Associate degree | $69,990 | 49 | 33% | — | $17,174 |
| 2 | University of Hawaii Maui College Kahului Public · Associate degree | $102,390 | 40 | 28% | — | $11,577 |
Colleges awarding the most Registered Nursing degrees in Hawaii
Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu Private not-for-profit | 202 | $75,892 |
| 2 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu Public | 165 | $94,216 |
| 3 | Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu Private not-for-profit | 115 | $81,125 |
| 4 | University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo Public | 54 | $84,401 |
| 5 | Kauai Community College Lihue Public | 17 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 Hawaii colleges offering Registered Nursing
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kapiolani Community College | Honolulu | Public | 49 |
| Hawaii Community College | Hilo | Public | 49 |
| University of Hawaii Maui College | Kahului | Public | 40 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Top skills
What Registered Nurses earn in Hawaii
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Registered Nursing programs in Hawaii.
Which Hawaii colleges award the most Registered Nursing degrees?+
Hawaii Pacific University (202 graduates a year), University of Hawaii at Manoa (165 graduates a year) and Chaminade University of Honolulu (115 graduates a year) award the most Registered Nursing degrees in Hawaii, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 Hawaii colleges offer Registered Nursing.
What is the best college for Registered Nursing in Hawaii?+
By graduate earnings, University of Hawaii at Manoa leads among bachelor's Registered Nursing programs in Hawaii, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $94,216, College Scorecard. University of Hawaii at Hilo and Chaminade University of Honolulu follow. By degrees awarded, Hawaii Pacific University is the largest, with 202 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Registered Nursing program in Hawaii has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Hawaii at Manoa tops the list at $94,216. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Registered Nurses earn in Hawaii?+
The average annual wage for Registered Nurses in Hawaii is $124,340 (median $136,320), across about 12,940 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Registered Nursing program?+
The Registered Nursing program prepares students to become healthcare professionals who provide essential care to patients in various settings. This program covers a comprehensive curriculum that equips students with the necessary skills…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Registered Nurses?+
The national job outlook is about +4.9% growth with around 189,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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