Honolulu is more than a tourist attraction for visitors who flock to its beaches. In addition to attracting over 8 million visitors each year, Honolulu has over 20 colleges and universities serving thousands of students, including several online learning options. These schools offer exposure to global perspectives and cultural diversity, with students from over 100 nations in attendance.
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Colleges in Honolulu
Over one-third of Honolulu’s residents hold a bachelor’s degree, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With the city's thriving economy and abundant educational institutions, it is no surprise that these percentages are higher than the state and national averages.
Seven community colleges and three university campuses make up the University of Hawaii (UH) system. Honolulu is home to four of these community colleges, and the biggest of them, Kapi’olani Community College (KCC), has one of the nation’s largest international student bodies. Most of the international students hail from Japan, Korea, China and Hong Kong, due largely to Hawaii’s proximity to these countries and KCC’s connection to the University of Hawaii. KCC offers traditional programs as well as some that reflect local culture and economics, such as Hawaiian studies, exercise science or hospitality. KCC has Hawaii’s most successful transfer program, with many students moving on to UH Manoa and other four-year institutions.
The UH system is anchored by the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH Manoa), with its campus located in Honolulu's Manoa Valley. UH Manoa is one of only 32 schools in the country to hold the distinction of being a land-, sea- and space-grant research institution. Other colleges and universities in Honolulu include Chaminade University of Honolulu, a small private institution affiliated with the Society of Mary of the Roman Catholic Church, and Hawaii Pacific University, the largest private university in Hawaii.
The following table displays some of the colleges and universities in Honolulu:
| INSTITUTION | TYPE | TRAINING/DEGREES OFFERED |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | Public | Undergraduate degrees, Graduate degrees, Law degrees, Medical degrees, Continuing education |
| Kapiolani Community College | Public | Associate degrees, Continuing education |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Not for Profit (Private) | Undergraduate degrees, Graduate degrees |
| Honolulu Community College | Public | Certificates, Associate degrees, Competencies |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Not for Profit (Private) | Undergraduate degrees, Graduate degrees, Teacher licensure, Nursing degrees |
| Remington College- Honolulu Campus | Not for Profit (Private) | Diplomas, Associate degrees, Bachelor’s degrees |
Online Colleges in Honolulu
The University of Hawaii system offers students a wide range of distance learning courses at its Honolulu institutions. The UH system’s distance learning program allows students to earn various certificates, undergraduate and graduate degrees. The system also offers doctoral degree programs with online courses, including an online-only nursing doctoral program. Students can choose from over 80 different courses taught in online, cable or interactive video formats. The UH schools also have a comprehensive online tutoring program.
Hawaii Pacific University’s military campus programs use traditional and distance learning course delivery methods to educate students on base or online. Students can earn an associate or bachelor's degree online in academic areas such as computer science, justice administration, business administration and military studies.
Major Industries, Careers and Employers
The capital city of Hawaii, Honolulu is located on the island of Oahu. The biggest city in the state, it also has the largest airport. Tourism brings over $10 billion a year to Honolulu’s local economy, which is why leisure/hospitality ranks among the top industries in the city. Other large industries in Honolulu include:
- Health care
- Transportation
- Professional business services
- Military defense
- Research and development
- Manufacturing
Hawaii.gov reports that four of the five top employers in Honolulu are health care-related:
- Altres Medical
- Kapiolani Medical Center
- Kyo-Ya Co Ltd (hotels and resorts)
- Queens Medical Center
- Hawaii Health Systems
According to May 2013 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations with significant growth in Honolulu are in the following areas:
- Health care practitioners and technical occupations
- Arts, design, entertainment, sports and media
- Legal
- Transportation and material moving
- Production
Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism projects the fastest growing jobs in the city to be in food services, financial activities and educational services, based on current growth.
Colleges & Universities in Honolulu
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES IN HONOLULU
| COLLEGE | SIZE | TUITION | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | 23,854 | $8,400 | Public |
| Hawaii Pacific University | 10,331 | $16,510 | Not For Profit (Private) |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | 3,815 | $18,300 | Not For Profit (Private) |
| Remington College-Honolulu Campus | 1,125 | $16,428 | Not For Profit (Private) |
COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN HONOLULU
| COLLEGE | SIZE | TUITION | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kapiolani Community College | 13,304 | $2,328 | Public |
| Honolulu Community College | 6,519 | $2,328 | Public |