Hawaii Community College

  • The mission of Hawai'i Community College is to provide the community with a responsive educational environment that empowers learners to develop skills and to be responsible and productive in a complex world.

School Highlights

Hawaii Community College serves 2,248 students (34% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 9:1 is lower than the state community college average of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Black and American), which is less than the state average of 68%.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 2,248 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,870
  • Out-state tuition: $7,718
  • Student:teacher ratio: 9:1
  • Minority enrollment: 60%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 253 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Hawaii Community College
(HI) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
253 staff
269 staff
This chart displays total faculty of Hawaii Community College and community college average number of faculty in Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Hawaii Community College has declined by 14% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 9:1 has decreased from 10:1 over five years.
The Hawaii Community College diversity score of 0.76 is equal to the state average of 0.76. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,248 students
2,386 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of Hawaii Community College and community college average number of enrollment of Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
12:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of Hawaii Community College and community college average student staff ratio of Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
757 students
459 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Hawaii Community College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
1,491 students
1,927 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Hawaii Community College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Hawaii Community College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Hawaii.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
147 students
189 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
757 students
459 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Hawaii Community College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,491 students
1,927 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
40 students
40 students
This chart displays the dormitory capacity of Hawaii Community College and the community college average dormitory capacity of Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% American Indian/Alaskan
17%
31%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Hawaii Community College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Asian
n/a
1%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Hawaii Community College and the percentage of Asian community college students in Hawaii by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
% Hispanic
8%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Hawaii Community College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Black
17%
14%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Hawaii Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
40%
32%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Hawaii Community College and the percentage of White community college students in Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hawaiian
14%
12%
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in Hawaii Community College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Two or more races
2%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in Hawaii Community College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Non Resident races
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of Non Resident students in Hawaii Community College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in Hawaii by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
2%
2%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Hawaii Community College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Hawaii.
Diversity Score
0.76
0.76
This chart displays the diversity score of Hawaii Community College and the community college average diversity score of Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.3363%
0.2952%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Hawaii Community College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.3055%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$31,300
$34,800
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Hawaii Community College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Hawaii by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $2,870 is more than the state average of $2,815. The in-state tuition has declined by 8% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $7,718 is more than the state average of $7,663. The out-state tuition has declined by 6% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,870
$2,815
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of Hawaii Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,718
$7,663
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Hawaii Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
76%
76%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Hawaii Community College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$9,969
$9,969
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Hawaii Community College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,250
$5,599
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Hawaii Community College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Hawaii by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Source: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • The forerunner of the College was the Hawai'i Vocational School, established in 1941 by an act of the Territorial Legislature. Its prime responsibility was to provide vocational education for the youth of the island of Hawai'i. Trade programs offered when the school opened were Automotive Mechanics, Carpentry, Dressmaking, Machine Shop, and Sheet Metal & Welding. The period following World War II saw the growth of new programs designed to meet the expanding needs of business and industry. In 1947, a Diesel Mechanics program was started. Architectural Drafting began in 1951; Food Service in 1952; and Electricity in1955. In 1956, with the advancement in technology and the expansion of educational opportunities into broader fields of technical training; the institution was renamed the Hawai'i Technical School. New programs were added later, Business Education 1958, and the Automotive Body Repair & Painting, Electronics, and Practical Nursing programs in 1966. Hawai'i Community College offers over 30 Degree, Certificate, and Non-credit programs. Students can choose to begin a 4-year baccalaureate degree, and save 25-60% on in-state tuition costs by taking undergraduate liberal arts courses offered here. These general and pre-professional students may earn an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree. Career and technical majors may earn an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree, an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.), an Associate in Technical Studies (A.T.S.), or a Certificate of Achievement (C.A.) in one of the 20 career and technical programs. Certificates of Completion (C.C.) are also available in Nurse's Aide, Residential Care Home Operator, Hotel Operations, Human Services and Food Services. A variety of non-credit programs, supported by the College, are offered through the Office of Continuing Education. Hawaii Community College is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Hawaii Community College cost?
Hawaii Community College's tuition is approximately $2,870 for In-State students and $7,718 for Out-State students.
What schools are Hawaii Community College often compared to?
Hawaii Community Collegeis often viewed alongside schools like Honolulu Community College by visitors of our site.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 2,248 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,870
  • Out-state tuition: $7,718
  • Student:teacher ratio: 9:1
  • Minority enrollment: 60%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Hawaii public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $2,815 per year for in-state students and $7,663 for out-of-state students. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

Hawaii community colleges have a diversity score of 0.76, which is higher than the national average of 0.75. The most diverse community college in Hawaii is Hawaii Medical College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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