San Jose State vs. UH at Manoa

Comparable Facts

Compare San Jose State University in San Jose, CA with University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, HI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Jose State University is larger than UH at Manoa based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 20,028 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Jose State University is located in San Jose, CA (Large City setting); University of Hawaii at Manoa is in Honolulu, HI (Large City setting).
• San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Hawaii at Manoa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Jose State University 25:1; University of Hawaii at Manoa 15:1.

San Jose State vs. UH at Manoa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Jose State or UH at Manoa? 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 San Jose State University than UH at Manoa ($13,892 vs. $17,202).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hawaii at Manoa are 30.1% lower than at San Jose State University ($14,658 vs. $20,971).
• University of Hawaii at Manoa is 44.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $3,776 more per year; $12,186.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.9% higher at UH at Manoa than at San Jose State University (about $13,208 more per year; $34,218.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Hawaii at Manoa than at San Jose State University (66% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 53.7% larger than aid received by University of Hawaii at Manoa students ($12,353 vs. $8,039).

San Jose State vs. UH at Manoa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Jose State or UH at Manoa? 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 UH at Manoa and San Jose State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Hawaii at Manoa (1190) is 60 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming San Jose State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at UH at Manoa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 1010/1240; University of Hawaii at Manoa 1081/1293.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 19/26; University of Hawaii at Manoa 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Jose State - Test-free; UH at Manoa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UH at Manoa students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• UH at Manoa has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at San Jose State vs. 21.4% at UH at Manoa.

San Jose State vs. UH at Manoa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Jose State and UH at Manoa? 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).

• University of Hawaii at Manoa's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than UH at Manoa graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than UH at Manoa graduates ($15,000 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UH at Manoa graduates ($155 vs. $193).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH at Manoa students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 69%)

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.