Best Nursing Schools in Hawaii in 2024 (On-Campus & Online)

Nursing is a profession that not all people are capable of being part of or capable of loving. For some, however, nursing is their life and they cannot dream of doing anything else. And what better dream to have than following your dream career in paradise itself? That’s why we’ve created this list of nursing schools in Hawaii.

Is nursing the right choice?

Nursing is something that requires a great deal of dedication and devotion in order to be able to provide the care and attention to detail that patients require. Nurses take on a range of different responsibilities and help other medical staff to complete their day-to-day duties. They work to help care for patients and their basic needs so doctors can complete their rounds and see more patients. They may help to administer medication, perform basic medical procedures, and make sure patients stay informed.

Nursing is a great profession that opens up doors and provides a great deal of potential when it comes to the pay scale. Most nurses make somewhere between $40,000 and $100,000 depending on where they live and where they work. In most cases, nurses in Hawaii make more than nurses in other areas. Nursing requires at least a two-year degree (ADN), though many institutions prefer a four-year degree (BSN).

Nursing has a huge range of potential since it offers job mobility if you want to move up the healthcare ladder or specialize. There is also an opportunity to make more money with overnight shifts, shifts that are on days when most people would not want to work, and more. Finding the right nursing school for your need is a must and we have collected a range of schools for you to choose from. Whether you’re looking for traditional colleges or online nursing schools in Hawaii, we have you covered.

The Best Nursing Schools in Hawaii in 2024

1. University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI

This school is a four-year university that offers a few different nursing o ptions for students to choose from. The University of Hawaii at Manoa is one of the best nursing schools in Honolulu, Hawaii. It offers graduate nursing programs, dental hygiene programs, undergraduate nursing programs, and more.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89%
• Program Length: depends on what program you choose and how much education you bring in to your degree.
• Admission Requirements: students must be high school graduates or have a GED and must also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the college.
• Tuition is $1,001 per credit hour for residents and $1,896 for non-residents.
• Accreditation  Senior Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges

2. Hawaii Community College

Hawaii Community College offers a range of programs including a certificate in practical nursing as well as degrees in nursing as well. They also have an associate nursing degree as well as graduate nursing programs that you can partake in.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%
• Program Length depends on the program that you choose and how many credits you bring to the program.
• Admission Requirements: prerequisite courses are required as is a high school diploma or a GED.
• Tuition is $ 3,024 for in-state students.
• Accreditation: Hawaii State Board of Nursing, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

3. Kapiolani Community College

Kapiolani Community College is one of the top nursing schools in Hawaii. It offers a two-year associate nursing degree that is fantastic for those that want to get their nursing degree and want to get to work quickly. For those thinking of attending, they have plenty of learning options for a well-rounded degree.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 100%
• Program Length is two years but you can complete it faster if you take the time to take more courses.
• Admission Requirements: students must have a high school diploma or a GED and must meet the minimum admission requirements for the university. They also need to complete prerequisite courses.
• Tuition: $3,024 for in-state students
• Accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

4. Hawaii Pacific University

Hawaii Pacific University offers both a traditional four-year BSN nursing degree and they’ve recently created the DNP degree program as well. They offer a range of learning options which makes it one of the best nursing schools in Hawaii.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 70%
• Program Length depends on what program you choose but the traditional degree is a four-year degree.
• Admission Requirements are that students must be high school graduates or have a GED and they also must meet the general admission guidelines for the university. There are also general education requirements that have to be met as well.
• Tuition is $24,550 for a full year.
• Accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

5. Chaminade University of Honolulu

Chaminade University of Honolulu is one of the best schools in Hawaii for nursing. It offers a bachelor in nursing and hands-on learning that is going to help make your college career one that you will always remember. They offer a range of courses and promote true positive learning outcomes.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 96%
• Program Length – this is a four-year degree but you may have less time if you come into the program with some of the courses already completed.
• Admission Requirements – students need to be a high school graduate or need to have a GED and should meet the basic admission requirements for the university as well.
• Tuition – there is financial aid available but the yearly cost for the university is $24,922.
• Accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

6. Kauai Community College

Kauai Community College is a fantastic option if you are looking for a school that is going to help you get the right degree.  They offer high pass rates and hands-on opportunities to learn.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 83%
• Program Length depends on what program you choose—they have a two-year certificate as well as an associate in science degree.
• Admission Requirements are that students must have an average grade of C or higher, they must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher, and they should complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills as well as pass the admissions board.
• Tuition is $3,144 per year.
• Accreditation by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

7. University of Hawaii Maui College

University of Hawaii Maui College offers a range of options when it comes to the degree that you want. They offer degrees for students of all types and aspirations and is a wonderful option for those that want a straight forward degree with positive outcomes.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 95%
• Program Length is two years or 73 credits. There are also two other programs to choose from—Practical Nurse and Associate in Science Registered Nurse.
• Admission Requirements – students must meet the minimum admission requirements for admission to the university, they must have prerequisite courses completed in order to be admitted.
• Tuition is $14,662 per year.
• Accreditation by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

8. University of Hawaii at Hilo

The University of Hawaii at Hilo offers a huge range of options when it comes to nursing degrees. They offer a BSN, a DNP, RN to BSN and more. There is a range of hands-on classes that make learning truly fun and worthwhile.

•  NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 80%
• Program Length depends on the program that you choose but there is a four-year degree and a graduate nursing degree as well.
• Admission Requirements are that students must meet the basic admission requirements for the university and that they must also complete prerequisite courses for the program before admission.
• Tuition is $7,720 per year of in-state students and $20,680 for out of state students
• Accreditation by Accreditation Commission for Education In Nursing

9. Health Care Training & Career Consultants

Health Care Training & Career Consultants is one of the best accredited nursing schools in Hawaii. It offers review courses for your NCLEX tests so that you can find out what works for you and how to get your best outcome. It’s a wonderful option for those that want straightforward learning options.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
• Program Length depends on what you choose.
• Admission Requirements- students must be high school graduates or have a GED
• Tuition varies.
• Accreditation, fully accredited.

10. Health Care School of Hawaii

Health Care School of Hawaii offers a CNA and a nursing assistant degree, which is a great place to start for any nursing student. They offer a fantastic degree that can open up plenty of doors, making it one of the best nursing schools in Hawaii.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates are high
• Program Length depends on the program that you choose and how long it takes you to complete courses. They offer both a Nursing Assistant and an Advanced Nursing Assistant as well.
• Admission Requirements are that students must be a high school graduate or have a GED and be 18 years or older.
• Tuition depends on what financial aid you get and you can apply for financial assistance.
• The school is fully accredited.

Methodology

Nursing is a fantastic career and with the right resources and the right options, anyone can become a great nurse and can make a big difference in their own lives and in the lives of the patients that they treat.

Schools were carefully chosen based on NCLEX-RN pass rates, what programs are offered, as well as their accreditation. If you represent one of the schools that are listed here and you want to amend or change an entry please feel free to contact us today to alter your entry.