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.
| Institution | Average Tuition Fees | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Mauna Loa Helicopters | $98,000 | 10 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | $31,940 | 4,151 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | $28,544 | 1,583 |
| Hawaii Medical College | $26,037 | 273 |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | $22,180 | 14,198 |
| Hawaii Institute of Hair Design | $14,508 | 52 |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo | $12,467 | 2,593 |
| Pacific Rim Christian University | $12,380 | 95 |
| Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy | $12,000 | 50 |
| IBS School of Cosmetology and Massage | $7,937 | 63 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | $7,714 | 2,913 |
| Brigham Young University-Hawaii | $6,250 | 2,735 |
| Kapiolani Community College | $3,597 | 5,828 |
| Honolulu Community College | $3,382 | 3,069 |
| Leeward Community College | $3,370 | 6,221 |
| Kauai Community College | $3,355 | 1,308 |
| University of Hawaii Maui College | $3,336 | 2,472 |
| Hawaii Community College | $3,256 | 2,127 |
| Windward Community College | $3,245 | 2,384 |
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