UH at Hilo vs. Hawaii Pacific University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Hawaii at Hilo in Hilo, HI 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 UH at Hilo based on total student enrollment (4,921 students vs. 2,668 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Hawaii at Hilo is located in Hilo, HI (Remote Town setting); Hawaii Pacific University is in Honolulu, HI (Large City setting).
• University of Hawaii at Hilo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hawaii Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Hawaii at Hilo 11:1; Hawaii Pacific University 15:1.

UH at Hilo vs. Hawaii Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH at Hilo 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 University of Hawaii at Hilo than Hawaii Pacific University ($12,673 vs. $30,950).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hawaii at Hilo are 45% lower than at Hawaii Pacific University ($11,586 vs. $21,050).
• Hawaii Pacific University is 338.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH at Hilo (about $26,554 more per year; $34,392.00 vs. $7,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.4% higher at Hawaii Pacific University than at University of Hawaii at Hilo (about $13,594 more per year; $34,392.00 vs. $20,798.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hawaii Pacific University than at University of Hawaii at Hilo (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hawaii Pacific University students is 147.7% larger than aid received by University of Hawaii at Hilo students ($19,611 vs. $7,918).

UH at Hilo vs. Hawaii Pacific University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UH at Hilo 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 UH at Hilo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hawaii Pacific University (1100) is 40 points higher than at UH at Hilo (1060).
• Incoming Hawaii Pacific University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at UH at Hilo).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Hilo 945/1175; Hawaii Pacific University 998/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Hilo 15/22; Hawaii Pacific University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH at Hilo - Test optional; Hawaii Pacific University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH at Hilo Jul 1, 2027; 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 UH at Hilo (3.36).
• Hawaii Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than UH at Hilo (60.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at UH at Hilo vs. 3.8% at Hawaii Pacific University.

UH at Hilo vs. Hawaii Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH at Hilo 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).

• Hawaii Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than University of Hawaii at Hilo's (36%).
• Graduates from Hawaii Pacific University earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than UH at Hilo graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates have a $2,597 lower median loan debt than Hawaii Pacific University graduates ($19,903 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UH at Hilo graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hawaii Pacific University graduates ($205 vs. $232).
• More Hawaii Pacific University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH at Hilo students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 61%)

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.