UH at Manoa vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, HI with University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than UH at Manoa based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 20,028 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Hawaii at Manoa is located in Honolulu, HI (Large City setting); University of Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• University of Hawaii at Manoa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Hawaii at Manoa 15:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

UH at Manoa vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH at Manoa or Kentucky? 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 Manoa than Kentucky ($17,202 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hawaii at Manoa are 8.5% lower than at University of Kentucky ($14,658 vs. $16,016).
• University of Kentucky is 10.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH at Manoa (about $1,316 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $12,186.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at UH at Manoa than at University of Kentucky (about $78 more per year; $34,218.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at University of Hawaii at Manoa (95% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 60.4% larger than aid received by University of Hawaii at Manoa students ($12,898 vs. $8,039).

UH at Manoa vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UH at Manoa or Kentucky? 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 Kentucky and UH at Manoa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Hawaii at Manoa (1190) is 10 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming Kentucky students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at UH at Manoa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Manoa 1081/1293; University of Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Manoa 17/25; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH at Manoa - Test optional; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UH at Manoa students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than UH at Manoa (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at UH at Manoa vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

UH at Manoa vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH at Manoa and Kentucky? 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 Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of Hawaii at Manoa's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than UH at Manoa graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Hawaii at Manoa graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($18,750 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, UH at Manoa graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($193 vs. $235).
• More UH at Manoa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.