Founded in 1965, Hawaii Pacific University. is a Private college. Located in Hawaii, which is a city setting in Hawaii, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 3,436 full time undergraduate students, and 645 full time graduate students.
The Hawaii Pacific University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 12:1. There are 152 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Hawaii Pacific University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
75%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
50
SAT Range
ACT Range
Admissions at HPU are considered Less Selective, with ,32% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 9 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
84% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 50% were in the top quarter, and 20% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Hawaii Pacific University.
16%
“We”re apathetic”
45%
“We know about current events and vote”
39%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
13%
“We save it for the classroom”
25%
“Sometimes, but not often”
44%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
19%
“All the time, including weekends”
6%
“I”m always terrified”
10%
“I only go out in groups”
48%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
35%
“I feel extremely safe”
39%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
43%
“We bought the gear”
18%
“We live for the big game”
19%
“It”s not really our thing”
34%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
38%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
9%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
6%
“Available in class”
44%
“They keep regular office hours”
47%
“They”re always available”
84%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
10%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
6%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
67 Students rated on-campus housing 2.9 stars. 13 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
57 Students rated off-campus housing 3.1 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
80 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
89 Students rated campus facilities 3.7 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
89 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 71 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
88 Students rated school activities 3.7 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
88 Students rated local services 4.3 stars. 57 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
88 Students rated academics 3.7 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.
Hawaii Pacific University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Hawaii Pacific University?
34 Students rated Hawaii Pacific University
Yzzabel
Prospective04/03/2025
I’m excited about Hawai‘i Pacific University because of its strong nursing program and the opportunity to be part of the Nursing Scholars Program. The direct entry into the nursing major and early hands-on experience through this program would give me a head start in pursuing my passion for healthcare.
Coming from a family of nurses, I’ve always admired the power of compassionate care. HPU’s commitment to serving diverse communities matches my own desire to give back and grow as both a nurse and a person.
I’m also drawn to the small class sizes, supportive faculty, and the vibrant, multicultural environment in Honolulu. HPU offers everything I need to thrive academically, professionally, and personally, and I’m ready to make the most of every opportunity it gives me.
Lisa
It's a culturally diversed school with small classroom sizes. Students can be from any part of the world，and faculty is of mixed races. The downtown campus is surrounded by eateries and small shops. Transportation was convenient. If only the school tuition could be over，the overall experience would be great.
Davan
It is the most beautiful campus I have ever seen. I went on a virtual tour and as I walked through I knew it was the place for me. The students who I spoke to and the one professor were incredible engaging and helpful. They really seemed to love what they did and the decision to choose HPU.
Quixara
Hawaii Pacific University is a very small school. Some may feel that it might be a little too expensive but its all worth it. There are small classroom sizes so every professor gets to know there student very well, which can be beneficial to the student. Although there is no football team there is a basket ball team and other cool sports to be part of and support. And all in all it is a wonderful place to study with all the nice beaches and culture that the island has to offer. I would highly recommend this University to future graduating classes to apply and attend. It’s an opportunity you wouldn’t want to miss ! Go sharks !
Selena
Hawaii Pacific University is unlike any other school. It's in no way a traditional campus which is what I love about it. There's always something to do or see and students are extremely friendly and sociable. Not only are the views beautiful, but class sizes are small and intimate. Meaning professors know your name and you actually know your classmates.
Sydney
Hawaii Pacific University is one of the most unique schools in the USA. For an environmental student is the ideal location, as Hawaii is an island, with unmatched biomes, natural resources, and human interaction with the natural world. Hawaii is driven to become more sustainable, and the local community strives to meet that goal.
The campus has some flaws, but the school is devoting the next few years to consolidation and innovation. Opportunities are endless at HPU, from accessible study abroad programs to United Nations engagement, to local Hawaiian cultural opportunities. As a crossroads between East and West, HPU is positioned to be one of the most worldly integrated universities in the US. The professors are inspired, driven and adventurous, the community welcoming and open, and the location unmatched in it's capacity to accelerate your academic career.
Saylor
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Klarissa
From the people I have heard from it is very diverse school and I love that about it as well as it is called the pacific Ohana. Family means a lot to me and I like being apart of the pacific ohana. They are very family friendly. There are a lot of schools that have to much people because they are a big campus and Hawai’i pacific does have a lot of students but all students get along very well !
Mareon
Being a part of Hawaii Pacific University is like a new Ohana. Being the first year here at HPU is really great because they are very helpful, especially during the day of classes. This campus is very diverse, a lot of students who are coming from all over the country which sets HPU more than another university's out there. Most of all, the professor are very helpful and welcoming, they are accessible anytime with whatever questions that every student has.
Jezelle
Hawai'i Pacific University is best known for its diversity and its ability to accommodate international and national students while also educating students about Hawai'i in order for students to be aware of the land they attend school. There campus show even more how diverse the school is because they have 3 different locations and they each serve a specific purpose in their location which is convenient for the students who attend the school. Although some areas could be improved, I can tell the school is working to update the school as a whole.
Alexis
I just finished my first year of college at Hawaii pacific University and it was an experience I'll never forget. The University is relatively small in size, each class is about 25 to 30 students maximum. The campus itself is very modern in the sense that it is not a typical campus, classes are in different office buildings along Fort Street Mall. However, there are pro's and con's; While there is many shops, restaurants, business, and job opportunists available, there are many people who are not students in the area as well. There are different options for housing whether it be in the water front dorms or in one of the many near-by apartments. The school does have a few sports teams but HPU primarily focuses on academics. The number of courses offered at HPU can accommodate any type of degree, as well as interest. One of the best parts of Hawaii Pacific University is the Aloha attitude the students, professors, and staff have. I have never had a negative encounter with anyone at the university. Also, due to the fact that Hawaii is in the middle of the Pacific ocean, there is a large number of exchange students from foreign countries. It has been nice experience being exposed to and educated about other cultures from around the world. This was a year of school that I would not trade for anything.
Michael
Great quality, but with a high price. Great professors, they truly care about the subject and their students. The school is phenomenal with the military and veterans, and their dependents. Through this, they offer a multitude of online classes, instructed by the same great professors who are in the classroom.
Micaleh
I like the classroom sizes there are no more than 30 students per class and there a lot of opportunities to grow. There are also many internships and jobs available through HPU that often outnumber the students. The housing facilities could be improved as well as the food.
Cora
Overall, I think Hawaii Pacific is a good learning environment with a good atmosphere. The professors are extremely knowledgeable and are great at what they do. The facilities are decent. Admissions and academic advising can be a pain. Having two campuses is different for sure, and it really depends on which campus you live on as to how much is accessible to you. The bus pass provided with tuition is a life saver so you can travel the island without having to pay the bus fares everytime you have to use it.
Madison
Hawaii Pacific University is a close knit school that focuses on creating student networks, providing small intimate class sizes, and engaging students in extracurricular activities. This school is best for independent students ready to chase what they want and who are not afraid to try new things. Although here to support you through your academic journey, HPU is a college that encourages self sufficiency. The campus is mainly in downtown Honolulu with another campus on the east side of the island. This campus creates well rounded multidisciplinary leaders, and motivated students thrive here. There are sports teams that we are proud of and we rep our Sharks gear on game day, however the environment is largely academic and island life inclined. We often get together to go hiking, play beach volleyball, go surfing or paddle boarding, tour the art museums, or head to north shore for some local culture. For those who want a challenging, independence focused, nontraditional college experience, I would highly recommend Hawaii Pacific University. We have new programs being developed all the time, and students play a large role in deciding HPU's path forward, for those inclined to make the most of their college experience I also highly recommend they apply to the Residential Honors Program.
Mahalo! We can't wait to see you for the next Aloha Friday, we'll be watching fireworks on Waikiki Beach!
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Hawaii Pacific University is 75%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
I would tell myself to be organized, collected, and confident. I would make sure that I was dedicated, and tell myself that no matter how hard it may get, no matter how many late nights I will spend drilling myself on science and history, no matter how many times I throw my pen across the room in frustration because I can not figure out the math problem, no matter the tears and the discouragement, I would tell myself that it will be all worthwhile, and to keep going. I would encourage myself to learn what helps me to study the best early, so that I would be prepared and not waste time trying to figure it out. My high school self would need to know that even though I would be making the transition to a new place, I would find friends and have experiences that I would never regret or forget. Above all else, I would tell myself to wake up each morning determined to do my best, and to look forward to each experience that would come my way. Dont go to school with a bad attitude, and you will learn so much more.
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
The most frustrating thing at Hawaii Pacific University is that the pluses and minuses are weighted for the grading process. So if you recieve all A's and an A- you will not receive a 4.0 GPA. Also in some courses where the pre-resiquite is an A, an A- does not count. Not all teachers grade using this though. Some do not use the weighted plus and minuses. I did not know this going into the college and I wish I would have been informed.
The best thing about my school is that the classes are small. Students can get the one on one attention they need from the instructors. With small classes, students can focus more in classes. Having smaller classes also helps those students who might need extra help in the class. The instructors knows the student which makes it easier for student to seek the needed help.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
People with bad attitudes should not attend this college. The locals are very friendly but just don't be ignorant because they will get angry. Trouble makers should not attend as well. Don't waste people's time and money if you?re going to act like a fool.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
My school has one of the top nursing programs in the nation. Our cheerleading team came has placed in nationals along with our dance team for the past five years. Our student body president for our psychology program was the top psychology student in the nation. The class size is at the maximum of thirty which makes it good for one on one with the teacher. My school is in Hawaii!
We are known for our nursing programs and classes because our professors take their jobs seriously to educate us with the knowledge they know. Also, the nursing progam is one of the best in Hawaii because there's a lot of things we can practice on and we get a lot of hands on training.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
Compared to other schools I considered, Hawaii Pacific University has very small class sizes as well as a very culterally diverse student body. The professors genuinely care about the students and tghe Nursing program there is well known.
Professors are engaging, accessable, and inviting in and outside the classroom. They are also understanding recognizing their roles as facilitators and mediators of the international perspectives that come to HPU.
Amazingly diverse, the student body is so mixed up with people from all over the world that even though I am from Hawai'i since birth, I sometimes feel like a minority in my classes. But this is great because it gives me the feeling and experience of having gone away for college but in reality I haven't gone anywhere.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
I'm not sure if there is one because our student body is so diverse, there can't be one particular statement or claim to be made about all the students that go to HPU. We have basically any ethnicity one can imagine, along with a variety of financial backgrounds, religions, etc. It's really close to impossible for someone to make an umbrella statement about all the students of HPU.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
95% of students attending Hawaii Pacific University receive some sort of financial aid.
36% were awarded federal grants.64%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
