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 unique Latter-day Saint institution where the Pacific meets academia, blending rigorous religious values with a strikingly international student body. With its palm-lined campus in Laie and a focus on intercultural learning, BYU-Hawaii offers a tight-knit, globally-minded education—though its strict honor code and modest post-grad earnings reflect its niche appeal.
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
Location
Laie, HI
Notable Fact
Students from 60+ countries
Acceptance Rate
34-47% (sources vary)
Graduation Rate
49%
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
74%
First-generation share
19%
Endowment / student
$85,913
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
Per 1,000 students
1.38
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's admissions process reflects its dual identity as a moderately selective university and a faith-based institution. Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. vary widely by source—from 34% (College Board) to 97% (AcceptanceRate.com)—but most peg it between 37-47%. The middle 50% of admitted students typically have GPAs around 3.45 (PrepScholar) and ACT scores between 21-25 (US News). Notably, over 60 countries are represented in the 2,900-3,000 student body (BYU-H Facts), creating one of the most internationally diverse campuses in the US. The university emphasizes ecclesiastical endorsements (required for all students) as heavily as academic metrics.
The academic experience at BYU-Hawaii leans heavily into undergraduate teaching, with professors who "are here making less money than they could at other places" according to Quora respondents. The university offers majors across four divisions:
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s 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.
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.
Arts & Letters: Communication, English, Film (Wikipedia)
Business & Government: Accounting, Entrepreneurship (Wikipedia)
Intercultural Studies: Hawaiian Studies, Pacific Island Studies
Niche gives academics an A-, praising the student-focused environment though noting limited research opportunities. Popular majors include Business Management and Hospitality & Tourism (US News), capitalizing on Hawaii's location. Classes are small—most have fewer than 20 students—and the curriculum integrates LDS values throughout.
Life at BYU-Hawaii revolves around its honor code (no alcohol, caffeine, or premarital sex) and an unusually vibrant international culture. The campus hosts:
45+ student clubs, many representing specific countries or cultures (Student Life)
Weekly cultural showcases featuring Polynesian dance, Asian drumming, etc. (Instagram)
Beachside devotionals and service opportunities tied to LDS values (Campus Life)
Niche describes the atmosphere as "close-knit and supportive" but notes the party scene earns a C-. With 60+ nationalities on campus, students often bond over shared faith rather than shared backgrounds—though the North Shore location means surfboards are as common as textbooks.
BYU-Hawaii graduates earn modest salaries—$36,100 after 7 years (CollegeSimply)—but the university emphasizes global impact over pure earnings. Key data points:
49% graduation rate (College Board)
$36,427 median earnings 1 year post-graduation (Niche)
Strong LDS mission placement: Many alumni serve church missions or work for affiliated organizations
Career Services highlights placements in education, hospitality, and nonprofit work, with particular strength in Pacific Rim communities. The ROI is more about cultural capital than financial windfalls.
At $17,887 Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. (after average aid of $13,884), BYU-Hawaii is relatively affordable for a private university—though still pricey compared to mainland LDS schools. Breakdown:
Institutional grants average $12,116 (Niche)
Federal/state aid packages add ~$9,226 (Niche)
Work-study common: Many students work at the adjacent Polynesian Cultural Center
The Net Price Calculator shows significant variability based on ecclesiastical status and nationality, with LDS members often receiving additional subsidies.
BYU-Hawaii is singular for merging three uncommon traits: an LDS mission-driven ethos, a genuinely global student body (60+ countries), and a campus where you can attend scripture study in the morning and surf at sunset. The academics won't rival research universities, but the intercultural fluency gained here is unparalleled—especially for students eyeing careers in the Pacific Rim. Just don't expect frat parties or coffee shops; the vibe is more 'family home evening' than 'college town.'
Brigham Young University-Hawaii logo · sourceBrigham Young University–Hawaii - BYU–Hawaii · sourceCelebrating 70 Years of BYU–Hawaii: A Legacy of Learning, Light, and Aloha · sourceBrigham Young University-Hawaii - Laie, HI | Appily · source
