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Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu, HIprivate nonprofithpu.edu
Acceptance
86%
SAT 25–75
998–1200
Avg net price
$29,657
Earnings (10 yr)
$59,593
Graduation rate
35%
Admit rate has ranged 75%–87% 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.
Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) is a private institution in Honolulu that blends global perspectives with career-focused education, offering standout programs in marine biology, business, and travel industry management. With an 86% acceptance rate and a diverse student body, HPU provides a unique island-campus experience—though its 42% graduation rate suggests academic rigor may vary. Its oceanfront location and strong industry ties make it a singular choice for students seeking both adventure and practical career preparation.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
- High school transcript
- TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
- Grade point average
- Class rank
- Letters of recommendation
- Test scores (SAT/ACT)
- 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
- 2,392
- In-state tuition
- $34,392
- Out-of-state tuition
- $34,392
- Top Majors
- Marine Biology, Business, Travel Industry Mgmt
- Notable Fact
- 200% grad enrollment growth in 5 years
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Student Body Diversity
- 26.1% Hispanic, 16.4% Asian, 6.8% Black
- Median Earnings (5 Yrs)
- $65,242
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
- Median earnings (10 yr)
- $59,593
- Value (earnings ÷ net price)
- 2.0×
- Median debt at graduation
- $22,000
- Graduation rate
- 35%
- First-year retention
- 56%
- Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
- 63%
- Pell (lower-income) share
- 60%
- First-generation share
- 36%
- Endowment / student
- $21,488
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$64,990
- Computer Science$47,260
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$45,696
- Business Administration, Management and Operations$40,017
- Psychology, General$30,988
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Campus & location
Campus safety
- On-campus violent crimes (2024)
- 5
- Per 1,000 students
- 2.09
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
- 132
- Summer high
- 84°F
- Winter low
- 69°F
- Annual rain
- 17.8"
- 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
- 154
- Scholarly works
- 2,950
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
- 2.9%
- Bottom → top quintile
- 22%
- From bottom quintile
- 13%
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 Hawaii Pacific University?
- Hawaii Pacific University's acceptance rate is approximately 86% (Honolulu, HI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
- What SAT score do you need for Hawaii Pacific University?
- Admitted students at Hawaii Pacific University typically score 998–1200 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
- How much does Hawaii Pacific University cost?
- At Hawaii Pacific University, the average net price (after aid) is about $29,657 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
- How many undergraduates attend Hawaii Pacific University?
- Hawaii Pacific University enrolls approximately 2,392 undergraduate students.
- Where is Hawaii Pacific University located?
- Hawaii Pacific University is located in Honolulu, HI.
Admissions
HPU's admissions process is notably accessible, with an 86% acceptance rate (12,198 admitted from 14,206 applicants in 2024). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1018–1190 on the SAT or 19–27 on the ACT, though the university is test-optional. GPA distribution skews upward: 31% of enrollees have a 3.75+ GPA, while only 2% fall below 2.49. The student body reflects Hawaii's multicultural fabric: 26.1% Hispanic/Latino, 16.4% Asian, and 6.8% Black/African-American—with less than 1% Native American representation.
Academics
HPU’s academic strengths lie in , with and also popular. The Princeton Review highlights its 'strong business program' and ocean-focused sciences. Courses emphasize hands-on learning, with faculty experienced in both face-to-face and online instruction. Degree plans are flexible, encouraging students to work with advisors for personalized sequencing. Notably, the university has seen a over five years, signaling growing appeal for advanced programs.
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