The 50th and final state to be inducted into the Union in 1959, Hawaii is also the 8th-smallest and the 11th-least populous. Still, despite its remoteness, people have been living here for thousands of years, with the earliest inhabitants estimated to have lived around 300CE. Though Spanish explorers first landed on the archipelago in the 16th century, the first documented European contact wouldn't come until Captain Cook arrived in 1778, and the islands' jarring beauty immediately captivated non-natives: pristine beaches, sheer cliffs, dense rainforests, and, of course, volcanoes. While tourism has been a major economic factor, Hawaii has been a hub for the military, agriculture, textiles, and more. Education has also played a major role, and the list of Hawaiian colleges and universities includes 4 public four-year universities, 5 private schools, and a half-dozen community colleges. To keep pace with national trends in higher education, many of these schools are now offering online degrees to support affordable, flexible education opportunities.
In-state tuition is often applied to public schools offering online programs. Many online programs require some face-to-face time, or more numerous support services at their brick and mortar locations. Intensive study experiences–often on the weekends or in several week long bouts–enable many online students to accelerate their time until graduation. And students looking at online education can drastically expand their educational options if they also look to hybrid degrees (degrees that can be taken partially, or mostly online). Finally, one of the most common stipulations in scholarships is that students be from a certain state or region, often more funds are available to students seeking degrees in-state.
There are at least six public schools in Hawaii that offer online degrees, the largest of which is University of Hawaii at Manoa, offering 25 — the most in the state. Hawaii Community College is the second-largest public provider at 22 online degrees. Kauai Community College is a close third, totaling 21 online degrees. From there, University of Hawaii at Hilo, University of Hawaii at West Oahu, and Leeward Community College offer a total of ten online degrees. There are two private schools in Hawaii that offer online degrees — Chaminade University of Honolulu and Hawaii Pacific University.
Featured Online Schools
Potential Resident
For a variety of reasons, a student may look to move to the state of their online college program whether specifically required by the program or not – be it for a job, location desirability, school benefits, etc. Different states have different policies, however, and some of them can be rather demanding. Hawaii's requirements are best enumerated here. In short, students must have been a "bona fide" resident — i.e., established a legal domicile — of Hawaii for at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes. Among the documents you may need to prove permanent residency include personal income tax proof, a state voter certificate, employment verification, active bank account, lease agreement, etc. Note that exceptions include military personnel and dependents; members of the Hawaii National Guard or Hawaii based Reserve; East-West Center student grantees; and Native Hawaiians.
For 2015-16, the average tuition for a four-year public school in Hawaii was $10,175 per year, compared to a $9,142 national average. That represents a 5% increase from 2014-15, compared to a 3% national average, and a 25% increase over the last 5 years, compared to to a 13% national average. Two-year community colleges fared better: 2015-16 average tuition was $3,664, or about $300 less than the national average. Still that's a 5% increase from the prior year, and a 24% increase over the last 5 years. While this may be troubling in general, it's worth noting that historically Hawaii tuition has often been lower than the national average — sometimes significantly so — so the recent spike may be an aberration.
There are four schools in Honolulu County that offer online degrees: Chaminade University of Honolulu, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii Pacific University, and Leeward Community College. The largest of these is UH Manoa, which is the largest online education provider in the state, offering eight bachelor's, 13 master's, and four . For undergraduates, highlights include studies in Business Administration, Public Administration, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Nursing, among others. From there, Manoa offers a variety of MEd concentrations, an MSN, MSW, and doctorates in Nursing and Education specializations. Chaminade offers 12 online degrees, including three associates in Business, Early Childhood Education, and Liberal Arts, and bachelor's in Criminal Justice, Education, English, History, and more. Leeward has two associates and HPU offers six master's.
Hawaii Community College, in Hilo, is the central online degree provider in Hawaii County. It's also the second-largest in the state (22 degrees), with a mission to promote an educational model that develops life-long learners and productive, engaged global citizens. Of the eight bachelor's, programs include Public Administration (Healthcare), Business Administration, Nursing, Political Science, and Education specializations. From there, 10 master's are available in Music Education, MEd concentrations, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Library & Information Science, and an MBA. Doctorates are available in Educational Foundations, Educational Policy Studies, and Nursing (DNP or PhD). In addition to regional accreditation, HCC holds specialized accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC).
Founded in 1965, Kauai Community College is the main online degree provider in Kauai County, offering 21 tracks, the third most in Hawaii. Undergraduates choose between Business Administration, Social Sciences (Early Childhood Education), Elementary Education, RN to BSN, Hawaii Statewide Nursing Consortium, Public Administration, and Political Science, among other fields. From there, 10 master's are available, including: MEd concentrations (Educational Foundations, Special Education, Curriculum Studies, Private School Leadership, etc.), an Executive MBA, Computer Science, Nursing, Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Library & Information Science, and more. Doctorate tracks are offered in Educational Foundations, Educational Policy Studies, Nursing Practice (DNP), and Nursing (PhD). Student support services include counseling, advising, tutoring, tech assistance, and enrollment and registration assistance.
Honolulu
Population: 337,256 Cost of Living: 196.9% Top Industries: Tourism, Defense Local Online Degrees: 4
Pearl City
Population: 47,698 Cost of Living: 164% Top Industries: Tourism, Education Local Online Degrees: 4
Hilo
Population: 43,263 Cost of Living: 91% Top Industries: Tourism, Education Local Online Degrees: 1
Kapaa
Population: 10,699 Cost of Living: 98.2% Top Industries: Tourism Local Online Degrees: 1
Monitoring the accreditation of a university you are interested in attending is incredibly important. Accreditation ensures your credits can transfer that you can receive Federal financial aid, and most importantly that certain standards of educational quality are during your schooling. The highest accreditation standard for most programs in the United States is provided by regional accreditation agencies. The regional accrediting agency for Missouri is the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, one of six regional accrediting agencies responsible for accrediting schools in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, Palau, and Northern Marianas Islands, as well as schools for American children in Asia..
Making sure that a University you're hoping to attend is regionally accredited — or accredited by a real and respected accrediting agency — is one of the most important choices you can make in ensuring the quality of your education.
Three Steps for Securing Financial Aid
Submit your FAFSA.
Check to see if additional forms are needed at your university of choice.
Search and apply for private scholarships.
Through the previous three steps most students find themselves offered some sort of federal grant, work study, private grant, scholarship, or stipend.
Great Hawaii Higher Education Resources
Hawaii Department of Education
The Hawaii Department of Education includes information, links, and tools for parents and students.
Hawaii Association for College Admission Counseling
The HCAC supports students in their college search for both in-state and out-of-state higher education.
Hawaii Education Association
The HEA offers information for scholarships, research, and more.
Native Hawaiian Education Council
The NHEC serves the unique educational needs of the Native Hawaiian people.
Hawaii Association of Independent Schools
The Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, founded in 1969, includes information on the state's private higher education.
Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii
The LDAH was founded in 1968 to enhance educational, work, and life opportunities for students with learning disabilities.
Hawaii Learning Resource
The Hawaii Learning Resource, launched in 2003, is designed to support all kinds of learners on a community level.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
The OHA offers an excellent catalog of scholarships available in-state.
Hawaii Community Foundation
Founded in 1916, The Hawaii Community Foundation provides more than $4 million annually for college scholarships.
Unity House Hawaii
Unity House Hawaii has awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships over the past decade.
Palama Settlement
The Palama Settlement offers four scholarships.
East-West Center
The East-West Center offers a number of scholarship opportunities for Hawaii higher education.
Atherton Family Foundation
The Atherton Family Foundation offers the Juliette M. Atherton Scholarship, which offered $90,000 to 18 students in 2016.
