College students paid more in Hawaii in 2022-23 school year

Average tuition fees rose 1.6% for college students in Hawaii in the 2022-23 school year, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Data shows that students paid $12,572 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $199 more than the previous school year.

Among the 19 institutions in the state, Mauna Loa Helicopters stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $98,000. Hawaii Pacific University followed with an average of $31,940 per year. Windward Community College students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $3,245.

At the time, a total of $41.2 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started college in Hawaii. Additionally, federal student loans reached $13.1 million.

Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.

According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.

Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.

Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.