UH at Hilo vs. UHWO

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Hawaii at Hilo in Hilo, HI with University of Hawaii West Oahu in Kapolei, HI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Hawaii West Oahu is larger than UH at Hilo based on total student enrollment (2,814 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); University of Hawaii West Oahu is in Kapolei, HI (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Hawaii at Hilo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Hawaii West Oahu is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Hawaii at Hilo 11:1; University of Hawaii West Oahu 17:1.

UH at Hilo vs. UHWO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH at Hilo or UHWO? 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 West Oahu than UH at Hilo ($10,942 vs. $12,673).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hawaii at Hilo are 38.1% lower than at University of Hawaii West Oahu ($11,586 vs. $18,708).
• University of Hawaii at Hilo is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHWO (about $254 more per year; $7,838.00 vs. $7,584.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at UH at Hilo than at University of Hawaii West Oahu (about $254 more per year; $20,798.00 vs. $20,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Hawaii at Hilo than at University of Hawaii West Oahu (81% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Hawaii at Hilo students is 3.7% larger than aid received by University of Hawaii West Oahu students ($7,918 vs. $7,639).

UH at Hilo vs. UHWO Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UH at Hilo or UHWO? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UHWO and UH at Hilo.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Hawaii at Hilo (1060) is 40 points higher than at UHWO (1020).
• Incoming UH at Hilo students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 18) as students at UHWO (18).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Hawaii at Hilo 945/1175; University of Hawaii West Oahu 931/1103.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Hawaii at Hilo 15/22; University of Hawaii West Oahu 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH at Hilo - Test optional; UHWO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH at Hilo Jul 1, 2027; UHWO Jul 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UHWO students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at UH at Hilo (3.36).
• UHWO has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than UH at Hilo (60.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at UH at Hilo vs. 32.2% at UHWO.

UH at Hilo vs. UHWO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH at Hilo and UHWO? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Hawaii at Hilo's six-year graduation rate is 36%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHWO.
• Graduates from University of Hawaii West Oahu earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than UH at Hilo graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Hawaii West Oahu graduates have a $4,903 lower median loan debt than UH at Hilo graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,903).
• Among borrowers, UHWO graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UH at Hilo graduates ($155 vs. $205).
• More UH at Hilo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UHWO students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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.