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PublicSuburban

University of Hawaii-West Oahu

UH West Oahu / UHWO

Kapolei, Hawaii 96707-4507

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedSuburban

Known for business — excellent value

University of Hawaii-West Oahu is a public suburban institution in Kapolei, Hawaii. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 973.

A mid-sized campus of 2.5K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

47% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $52,075 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $10,666.

Established
1976
Motto
Maluna aʻe o nā lāhui āpau ke ola ke kānaka
Mascot
Pueo
Type
Public college

Plan Your Visit

96%Acceptance
973SAT Avg
2,510Students
16:1Student:Faculty
47%Grad Rate
$52,075Earnings 10yr
$10,666Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate95.6%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 973

Reading & WritingMid: 575
540610
MathMid: 520
490600

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 19
1521

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$7,584
Tuition (out-of-state)$20,544
Books & Supplies$1,350
Total Cost of Attendance$18,190
Average Net Price$10,666
Median Debt at Graduation$14,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$154

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$8,030
$30–48K$6,161
$48–75K$10,881
$75–110K$13,331
$110K+$16,928

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

80.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$11,848

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

18

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

4

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

5

Drug Arrests

4

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (14)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

69%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
2,510
Gender Split
65% / 35%
Women / Men
First Generation
43%
Pell Grant Recipients
30%

Race & Ethnicity

White 8%
Black 2%
Hispanic 15%
Asian 35%
Two+ 34%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate46.8%
Freshman Retention69.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$44,352
10 Years$52,075

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • In 1966, the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents approved a plan calling for the opening of such a campus.
  • In 1970, UH executive Richard Kosaki was appointed chancellor for the proposed school known as West Oʻahu College.
  • The college was approved by the Board of Regents as an upper division school in 1975.
  • It opened in January 1976 enrolling 75 students at Mililani, Campbell and Pearl City high schools.
  • It moved later that year to a Newtown Square office building in ʻAiea, offering day and evening classes.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

175Very High

Estimated from HI state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Honolulupop. 350K
13 mi(23 min)
San Franciscopop. 870K
2403 mi(4165 min)
Los Angelespop. 3.9M
2570 mi(4455 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

HNL Honolulu9 mi
SFO San Francisco2402 mi
SJC San Jose2420 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA5089 mi · ~147h 1m drive
New York, NY4968 mi · ~143h 31m drive
Hartford, CT5019 mi · ~145h drive
Providence, RI5081 mi · ~146h 47m drive
Albany, NY4951 mi · ~143h 2m drive
Syracuse, NY4827 mi · ~139h 27m drive
Rochester, NY4753 mi · ~137h 19m drive
Buffalo, NY4693 mi · ~135h 35m drive
Philadelphia, PA4920 mi · ~142h 8m drive
Pittsburgh, PA4663 mi · ~134h 43m drive
Harrisburg, PA4826 mi · ~139h 25m drive
Newark, NJ4959 mi · ~143h 16m drive
Washington, DC4837 mi · ~139h 44m drive
Baltimore, MD4854 mi · ~140h 14m drive
Atlanta, GA4502 mi · ~130h 3m drive
Charlotte, NC4682 mi · ~135h 15m drive
Raleigh, NC4796 mi · ~138h 33m drive
Miami, FL4868 mi · ~140h 38m drive
Orlando, FL4750 mi · ~137h 13m drive
Tampa, FL4695 mi · ~135h 38m drive
Nashville, TN4343 mi · ~125h 28m drive
New Orleans, LA4217 mi · ~121h 49m drive
Richmond, VA4836 mi · ~139h 42m drive
Chicago, IL4257 mi · ~122h 59m drive
Detroit, MI4488 mi · ~129h 39m drive
Minneapolis, MN3970 mi · ~114h 41m drive
St. Louis, MO4139 mi · ~119h 34m drive
Kansas City, MO3902 mi · ~112h 43m drive
Indianapolis, IN4347 mi · ~125h 35m drive
Columbus, OH4511 mi · ~130h 19m drive
Cleveland, OH4564 mi · ~131h 51m drive
Milwaukee, WI4238 mi · ~122h 26m drive
Dallas, TX3800 mi · ~109h 47m drive
Houston, TX3905 mi · ~112h 49m drive
Austin, TX3760 mi · ~108h 37m drive
San Antonio, TX3721 mi · ~107h 30m drive
Los Angeles, CA2570 mi · ~74h 15m drive
San Francisco, CA2403 mi · ~69h 25m drive
San Diego, CA2618 mi · ~75h 38m drive
Seattle, WA2685 mi · ~77h 34m drive
Portland, OR2600 mi · ~75h 7m drive
Denver, CO3348 mi · ~96h 43m drive
Phoenix, AZ2916 mi · ~84h 14m drive
Salt Lake City, UT3000 mi · ~86h 40m drive
Honolulu, HI13 mi · ~23 min drive
Tropical (warm year-round)

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