hawaii pacific university vs uh manoa

Hawai‘i Pacific University vs University of Hawai‘i at Manoa

Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)

Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU) is a private university in Honolulu, known for programs in Business, Nursing, Marine Biology, and International Relations. While it does not appear in major global rankings like QS or THE, it has regional recognition for applied, career-focused education and strong ties to military and international student communities. In contrast, the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa (UH Manoa), the flagship public university of Hawai‘i, is ranked around 400–500 globally in QS and THE rankings. UH Manoa is particularly strong in Oceanography, Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies, and Pacific/Asian Studies, frequently ranking in the global top 20 for Oceanography.

General Information

Hawai‘i Pacific University was founded in 1965 and is located in downtown Honolulu, offering a small and diverse learning community of about 4,500 students. It has one of the highest percentages of international students in the U.S. UH Manoa, founded in 1907, is a much larger public research university with over 19,000 students. Its 320-acre campus in Manoa Valley offers a traditional research-university environment. HPU prioritizes small class size and personalized attention, while UH Manoa provides the scope of a major public research university.

Acceptance Rate & Admission

HPU is moderately selective with an acceptance rate of approximately 74%, so it is open to a wide array of applicants. The average GPA of accepted students is approximately 3.4, and standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are not required. UH Manoa has an acceptance rate of approximately 70%, requiring slightly higher academic standards (average GPA 3.6). Admissions for graduate studies at UH Manoa, particularly in sciences and engineering, are more competitive than HPU's career master's programs.

Research Impact & Facilities

UH Manoa is a Carnegie R1 research university, with world-renowned research in oceanography, volcanology, astronomy, and climate science. Facilities include the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology and observatories on Mauna Kea. HPU, being a private teaching-focused institution, has fewer large-scale research facilities but provides hands-on experiences in marine biology, nursing simulations, and business projects, often tied to Hawai‘i’s unique environment.

Cost & Financial Aid

HPU, being a private school, is pricier, with undergraduate fees at about $34,000 per year, and graduate fees between $20,000–$30,000 per annum. UH Manoa, being public, charges in-state tuition (about $12,200 per annum), with out-of-state tuition costing about $34,000 per year, the same as HPU charges. Both schools have scholarships and financial aid, but UH Manoa offers more research assistantships and state-supported funding, whereas HPU specializes in merit and international student scholarships.

Graduate Studies & Research

HPU graduates tend to enter into healthcare, business, marine biology, and international relations careers, with close connections to military-related industries and Pacific-region employers. HPU alumni earn average salaries of approximately $60,000 (INR 50 lakh) mid-career. UH Manoa graduates, particularly in STEM, environmental sciences, and education, are enhanced by robust research exposure and international affiliations, with alumni pay averaging approximately $70,000 (INR 58 lakh) mid-career. UH Manoa boasts a broader network of alumni in academia, science, and public service, while HPU is well known for producing applied, career-fit graduates.