Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Hawaii Pacific University

Comparable Facts

Compare Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL with Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, HI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hawaii Pacific University is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (4,921 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palm Beach Atlantic University is located in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting); Hawaii Pacific University is in Honolulu, HI (Large City setting).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hawaii Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1; Hawaii Pacific University 15:1.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Hawaii Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palm Beach Atlantic or Hawaii Pacific University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Hawaii Pacific University than Palm Beach Atlantic ($30,950 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palm Beach Atlantic University are 34.4% lower than at Hawaii Pacific University ($13,800 vs. $21,050).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 18.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hawaii Pacific University (about $6,258 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $34,392.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.2% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Hawaii Pacific University (about $6,258 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $34,392.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University as at Hawaii Pacific University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 14.7% larger than aid received by Hawaii Pacific University students ($22,493 vs. $19,611).

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Hawaii Pacific University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palm Beach Atlantic or Hawaii Pacific University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Hawaii Pacific University and Palm Beach Atlantic.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hawaii Pacific University (1100) is 10 points higher than at Palm Beach Atlantic (1090).
• Incoming Hawaii Pacific University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Palm Beach Atlantic).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220; Hawaii Pacific University 998/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26; Hawaii Pacific University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional; Hawaii Pacific University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hawaii Pacific University Sep 6, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Hawaii Pacific University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Palm Beach Atlantic (3.36).
• Hawaii Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than Palm Beach Atlantic (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Palm Beach Atlantic vs. 3.8% at Hawaii Pacific University.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Hawaii Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palm Beach Atlantic and Hawaii Pacific University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Palm Beach Atlantic University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Hawaii Pacific University's (39%).
• Graduates from Hawaii Pacific University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hawaii Pacific University graduates have a $204 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($22,500 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, Hawaii Pacific University graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($232 vs. $234).
• More Hawaii Pacific University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palm Beach Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.