Hawaii Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
Aspiring teachers in Hawaii must complete a state-approved educator preparation program to qualify for certification. This guide is designed to help you explore your options for teaching degrees and training programs at accredited Hawaii colleges and universities. Below, you’ll find a comparison table of approved schools, along with custom lists of top-rated and affordable programs to support your search for the best path toward a teaching career in the state.
Table of Contents
- HI Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 4 Affordable HI Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Hawaii Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- US News Best Graduate Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Hawaii Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares seven Hawaii teacher preparation programs across key factors. All listed institutions are not-for-profit and approved by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Hawaii traditional certification guide and our Hawaii alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment 2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University-Hawaii | No | 47 | 22 | 87% | 9 | 6 | $13,998 | |
| Chaminade University | Yes | 183 | 48 | 100% | — | — | — | $24,933 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | No | 37 | 12 | N.Av. | 26 | 10 | $29,827 | |
| Leeward Community College | No | 67 | 39 | — | — | — | $8,010 | |
| University of Hawaii-Hilo | No | — | — | — | 15 | 14 | 88% | $13,969 |
| University of Hawaii-Manoa | No | 392 | 109 | 97% | 234 | 115 | 90% | $15,193 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Yes | 190 | 42 | 65% | — | — | — | $14,351 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Hawaii
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These four most affordable schools have a net price under $15,000.
- Leeward Community College ($8,010)
- University of Hawaii-Hilo ($13,969)
- Brigham Young University-Hawaii ($13,998)
- University of Hawaii-West Oahu ($14,351)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Hawaii
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Hawaii
Our list of the top three bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Chaminade University (100%)
- University of Hawaii-Manoa (97%)
- Brigham Young University-Hawaii (87%)2
US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2025
- University of Hawaii-Manoa (#65 tie)4
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The seven Hawaii schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Chaminade University of Honolulu*
- Hawaii Community College
- Honolulu Community College
- Kapiʻolani Community College
- Kauaʻi Community College
- Leeward Community College*
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
4. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2025: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings