3 Best Universities In Honolulu For International Students 2025

Honolulu is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences.

In this article, we’ve compiled the best universities in Honolulu, Hawaii. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Rank University Country Type
1 University of Hawaii at Mānoa United States Public
2 Hawaii Pacific University United States Private
3 Chaminade University of Honolulu United States Private

How do I get admission to the best universities in Honolulu?

Applying to the universities in Honolulu involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Honolulu to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Honolulu?

Tuition fees at Honolulu’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 28,600 USD to 37,400 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 10,100 USD to 27,500 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Honolulu!

As we cover the best universities in Honolulu for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Honolulu for International Students

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#114 in United States
#134 in North America
#414 in World
Percentage of International Students
6%
Total Number of students - 19,068
International Number of students - 1,144

Founded as a land-grant college of agriculture and mechanic arts under the Morrill Act, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa started with 10 students and 13 faculty. 13 years from its establishment, the college was granted university status and later on offered various other programs. The university continued to expand and offer undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#698 in United States
#783 in North America
#2310 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 4,998

The Hawaii Pacific University is the most extensive private institution in its region. The institution has several locations across Hawaii. Their campuses include one in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii Loa, Makapu‘u, and military campuses on different bases such as O‘ahu and Pearl Harbor. It is ranked 201st in the US by QS rankings.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#1006 in United States
#1108 in North America
#3239 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 2,198

The Chaminade University of Honolulu is a private university in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was founded in 1955 by the religious congregation, Society of Mary. The university is well-known for its biology, business, forensic science, design, nursing, and religious studies programs.

We know that choosing your dream school in Honolulu not an easy task. After all, you need to consider other factors like the cost of your education, school background, and population, as it can be overwhelming on your part.

So, to help you out further in weighing your school options for studying in Honolulu, make sure to visit our list of the best private universities in Honolulu! These articles will surely help you in deciding your next study destination!