Top Nursing Schools in Hawaii
This page lists 8 schools in Hawaii that reported awards in licensed nursing education to the U.S. Department of Education for 2023-24 — including 3 practical/vocational nursing (LPN/LVN), 4 associate degree (ADN), 4 bachelor's (BSN), 2 master's and 4 Doctor of Nursing Practice award levels. By ownership, 6 public and 2 private nonprofit. 5 appear in the CCNE or ACEN accreditor directories for at least one nursing program level. The largest concentrations are in Honolulu (4) and Hilo (2).
Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026
Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE directory / ACEN directory
Listing does not certify educational quality or guarantee licensure eligibility. Verify details with the school before applying.
Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected
Schools (8)
| School | Location | Ownership | Nursing awards / programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | Private nonprofit | BSN, Post-Master's, DNP | CCNE |
| Hawaii Community College | Hilo, HI | Public | ADN | — |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, Post-Master's-FNP, Post-Master's-PMHNP, DNP | CCNE |
| Kapiolani Community College | Honolulu, HI | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | — |
| Kauai Community College | Lihue, HI | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | — |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hilo, HI | Public | BSN, DNP | CCNE |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | Honolulu, HI | Public | BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD | CCNE |
| University of Hawaii Maui College | Kahului, HI | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN |
Before you apply in Hawaii
- Prelicensure nursing programs must be approved by the state's board of nursing. Check the board's current list for the campus you will attend.
- Program accreditation (CCNE, ACEN or CNEA) is separate from state approval and from the institution's own accreditation. Each school page shows which records we found and where.
- Online programs based in another state may not accept residents of Hawaii. See online coursework and clinical requirements.