Hawaii Pacific University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Honolulu, Hawaii · Private nonprofit · Open access

Acceptance rate
86%
Avg SAT
1111
In-state tuition
$34,392
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$29,657
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Hawaii Pacific University is a private nonprofit university in Honolulu, Hawaii that admits about 86% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $29,657 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.8 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Hawaii Pacific University is a private institution located in Honolulu, Hawaii. For the most recent reporting cycle, Hawaii Pacific University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 86%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1111 and an ACT composite around 25. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $29,657 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Hawaii Pacific University?

Hawaii Pacific University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

SAT and ACT scores Hawaii Pacific University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 488–590, with an EBRW midpoint near 584. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–27. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

How much does Hawaii Pacific University actually cost?

Published tuition is $34,392 for in-state students and $34,392 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $21,050 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $29,657 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 21% of students receive Pell Grants.

Most popular majors at Hawaii Pacific University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Hawaii Pacific University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Hawaii Pacific University confers roughly 356 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $111,432 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing114$111,432
Business Administration, Management and Operations80$55,789
Psychology, General36$49,019
Criminal Justice and Corrections34$56,760
Biology, General25$40,060
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology25$47,552
Computer Science23
Human Resources Management and Services19
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Hawaii Pacific University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Hawaii Pacific University disclosed 14 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.8 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 3 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
14
5.8 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
2
0.84 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
3
1.25 per 1,000
Burglary
3
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 2,392 enrolled.

Other colleges in Hawaii parents ask about

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

Next steps for Hawaii Pacific University

Common questions parents ask about Hawaii Pacific University

What GPA do I need for Hawaii Pacific University?

Hawaii Pacific University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

What SAT or ACT score does Hawaii Pacific University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 488–590, with an EBRW midpoint near 584. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–27.

How much does Hawaii Pacific University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Hawaii Pacific University after grants and scholarships is $29,657 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $34,392. Budget against the net figure.

Is Hawaii Pacific University realistic for my child?

Hawaii Pacific University admits 86% of applicants, so 488–590 SAT Math is target range and below 488 is a reach. Then check the $29,657 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Hawaii Pacific University?

Hawaii Pacific University accepts about 86% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is Hawaii Pacific University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Hawaii Pacific University is a private nonprofit institution located in Honolulu, Hawaii.

What are the most popular majors at Hawaii Pacific University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Hawaii Pacific University by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General. The school awards about 356 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Hawaii Pacific University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Hawaii Pacific University reported 14 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.8 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

Sources: the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers