Admit rate has ranged 34%–88% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Brigham Young University–Hawaii is a singular institution where a deeply religious, globally-minded student body pursues a practical education on the North Shore of Oahu. It’s a place where the campus culture is defined by a unique fusion of Polynesian hospitality and the tenets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, creating a tight-knit, spiritually-centered community. The academic offerings are intentionally focused on career-ready majors, with a student experience that is both culturally vibrant and governed by a strict honor code.
Admission requirements
Test scores required
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,889
In-state tuition
$6,630
Out-of-state tuition
$6,630
Popular Majors
Business, Liberal Arts & Humanities, Biology
Graduation Rate
53%
Median Earnings (10yr)
$52,064
Regular Decision Deadline
February 1
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$52,064
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.1×
Median debt at graduation
$9,413
Graduation rate
53%
First-year retention
74%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
71%
Pell (lower-income) share
15%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
19%
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. divides 10-yr earnings by net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Financial health
2.7 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Accounting and Related Services$49,436
Business Administration, Management and Operations$44,170
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$32,925
Social Work$32,925
Political Science and Government$28,598
Psychology, General$28,236
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
4
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
82
Summer high
81°F
Winter low
70°F
Annual rain
44.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
67
Scholarly works
924
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.2%
Bottom → top quintile
24%
From bottom quintile
5%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Brigham Young University-Hawaii?
Brigham Young University-Hawaii's acceptance rate is approximately 47% (Laie, HI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Brigham Young University-Hawaii?
Admitted students at Brigham Young University-Hawaii typically score 960–1190 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Brigham Young University-Hawaii cost?
At Brigham Young University-Hawaii, the average net price (after aid) is about $16,774 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Brigham Young University-Hawaii?
Brigham Young University-Hawaii enrolls approximately 2,889 undergraduate students.
Where is Brigham Young University-Hawaii located?
Brigham Young University-Hawaii is located in Laie, HI.
Admissions
BYU–Hawaii operates with a moderately selective admissions process, admitting roughly half of its applicants. The university reports an of 47%, making it more accessible than its flagship counterpart in Provo but still discerning. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 960 and 1190 on the SAT. The regular decision deadline is February 1. While the is a primary source for admissions criteria, the university's specific policies on factors like demonstrated interest are not explicitly detailed in the provided sources. Notably, the broader BYU system is known for an exceptionally high rate—the percentage of admitted students who enroll—reportedly around 78%, far above the national average, indicating strong loyalty and intent among its applicant pool.
The academic experience at BYU–Hawaii is defined by a focused, career-oriented curriculum within a liberal arts framework. The university offers a range of majors, minors, and certificates across the arts, humanities, math, science, and professional fields. Popular majors include Business, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Biology. Specific programs are organized into areas like Arts & Letters (e.g., Communication, English, Visual Arts) and Business & Government (e.g., Accounting, Business Management). The scale of the institution is intentionally smaller, which some note leads to a more limited selection of academic programs and off-campus opportunities compared to larger universities. The emphasis is on providing a practical education that prepares students for the workforce or further study, grounded in the university's religious mission.
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis$19,455
Fine and Studio Arts$17,846
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life at BYU–Hawaii is a distinctive blend of Polynesian cultural immersion and a structured, faith-based community. The campus is described as peaceful and culturally rich, with student life heavily revolving around organized activities and clubs. There are over 45 special interest and culture clubs, with major events like Culture Night where 23 student-led clubs from around the world celebrate through music, dance, and storytelling. Onboarding for new students includes events like club fest, food fest, and talent shows. However, this vibrant community exists within a framework of strict campus rules and policies governed by the Church's honor code. Some students express frustration with regulations such as curfews and dorm visitation rules, which shape a daily life that is highly communal and regimented compared to a typical secular college.
Graduation and career outcomes at BYU–Hawaii reflect its mission of providing accessible, practical education. The four-year graduation rate is reported at 27%, with a six-year rate of 69%. Post-graduation earnings start modestly but show growth over time. Data indicates average earnings of $33,100 six years after entry, rising to $48,333 about ten years after graduation. The median salary for graduates six years after graduation is $39,316. The university tracks graduate career outcomes, placement, and return rates through a joint effort by Career Services and Institutional Research. These figures suggest graduates enter the workforce and see their earning potential increase steadily in the decade following their studies.
BYU–Hawaii maintains a relatively low compared to national averages, aided by institutional support and federal aid. The average annual net price after aid is $16,774. A significant majority of students receive some form of financial aid. The average total aid awarded is $12,746 per year, which can include federal grants (averaging $6,494), state grants, and institutional grants (averaging $12,116). The university provides a net price calculator for families to estimate their actual cost. Financial aid is offered in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans, with applicants required to demonstrate financial need. The provided sources do not specify a "no-loan" policy or a commitment to meet 100% of demonstrated need without loans for all students.
BYU–Hawaii stands out as a truly unique cultural and educational enclave. It is not merely a university in Hawaii; it is an institution where the global membership of the LDS Church converges on a Polynesian campus, creating a microcosm of the Church's international community. The vibe is one of earnest purpose, where spiritual life and cultural exchange are woven into the fabric of daily existence, from devotionals to massive Culture Night celebrations. Academically, it forsakes the sprawling research model for a focused, teaching-centered approach aimed at turning out employable graduates. This combination—a strict honor code environment paired with authentic Polynesian warmth, a practical curriculum, and a stunning North Shore location—makes it an unparalleled option for LDS students seeking a close-knit, faith-based college experience with a global perspective. It’s a specific world unto itself, offering a college experience found nowhere else.
Brigham Young University-Hawaii seal · sourceBrigham Young University–Hawaii - BYU–Hawaii · sourceCelebrating 70 Years of BYU–Hawaii: A Legacy of Learning, Light, and Aloha · sourceBrigham Young University--Hawaii (BYU Hawaii) - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · source
