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University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii

20,028 Students on Campus
Honolulu Location
350,000 Metro Population
20,028 Students on Campus
Honolulu Location
350,000 Metro Population

About This Campus

E komo mai (welcome)! The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa is a world class university providing quality, affordable higher education. A destination of choice, students come from across the nation and world to take advantage of UHM’s unique research opportunities, diverse community, Division I athletics program, and breath-taking landscape. It is consistently ranked a “best value” among U.S. colleges and universities, with tuition more than $4,000 below the national average for a public university. As the leading indigenous serving university in the country, UHM delivers a unique multicultural global experience in a Hawaiian place of learning, truly like nowhere else on earth.

Distinctions include: Top 2% in the world for academic and research excellence; Internationally recognized research (land, sea, and space-grant) University; Owns a marine research island; Students come from all 50 states and 122 countries/regions; 5th most beautiful campus in the country.

Unique multicultural global experience in a Hawaiian place of learning.

A world-class university providing affordable, quality higher education.

8th most ethnically diverse university in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report).

Helpful Information

Full year or single-term (fall or spring) available. Placement is guaranteed for HOST payment. A limited number of spots are available for HOME payment for one semester only. No guarantee of enrollment in desired courses; students must have flexibility.

Location Information

UHM is located in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu. It is known for its tropical climate, lush green landscape, diverse population, and aloha spirit. Outdoor activities are encouraged by beautiful beaches and year-round mild weather. The campus is 20 minutes by bus from the internationally celebrated Waikiki area. Fast Facts: Most diverse state in the nation; Average year-round temperature is 77.7℉; Surrounded by 130 beaches; Top 2 safest U.S. states; Healthiest U.S. state; Happiest U.S. state.

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/25/2025 - Fall End Date: 12/19/2025

Spring Start Date: 01/12/2026 - Spring End Date: 05/15/2026

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

Dental Hygiene and Nursing

RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:

300+ Business courses (Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management, Management Information Systems, and Marketing) are limited to students with a 3.0 min. GPA, declared Business majors, and whose whose home campus is AACSB accredited. Requests from declared Business minors are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Registration for 300+ Business courses happens after the start of registration for other departments. Certain 300+ Business courses are restricted. The following have major restrictions (but overrides MAY be provided by the instructor or department; It is helpful to be granted overrides if students are declared the major at their home campus): Architecture, Biology, Engineering, Fashion Design & Merchandising, Journalism, Kinesiology & Rehabilitation Science, Psychology, Social Work, and Travel Industry Management. Overrides for upper division Communication courses can only be requested on the first day of the semester. Only limited Education courses are available to NSE students; contact us to determine which ones. Access to Cinematic Arts courses is approved by the dept, and depends on equivalent prerequisites and class size.

NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Business — The Shidler College of Business is renowned for its Asia-Pacific expertise and is consistently ranked among the top schools for international business.
  • Linguistics — The UHM Department of Linguistics is ranked 11th in the nation & 40th worldwide.
  • Physics and Astronomy — The National Research Council rankings of graduate programs has placed UH Mānoa Department of Physics and Astronomy in the top 12 of all US programs.
  • School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology — The School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa is a world-class research and academic institution focused on informing solutions to some of the world’s most vexing problems. Through an integrated, comprehensive, and sustained system of Earth and planetary observations, research, and education, SOEST staff work to transform the way people live on Earth by enabling a healthy public, economy, and planet.
UNIQUE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Hawaiian Studies — The mission of the Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge is to pursue, perpetuate, research, and revitalize all areas and forms of Hawaiian knowledge. Hawai‘inuiākea is the only college of indigenous knowledge in a Research I institution in the United States.
  • Oceanography — The Department of Oceanography is ranked as one of the best in the world. As a world leader in ocean science, research and education, we are charting a path to great discovery and a healthy environment.
  • Pacific Island Studies — The Department of Pacific Islands Studies offers an innovative instructional program that is regional, comparative, and interdisciplinary in nature. The university’s Pacific Collection, one of the most comprehensive collections of Pacific materials in the world, attracts a worldwide audience.
OPTIONS:

Honors Access: Yes

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Away/Home Pay
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)?Home or Away
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - Yes
  • Accept Canadian students on J1 visa or F1 visa? - J1 Visa F1 Visa

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 10/23/2025
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Available
    Estimated cost: $6201
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 19
  • Host Payment: 19
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
NSE Program Fee
$85
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
Housing Application Fee
$25
Year
Away & Home
Mandatory
Admission Fee
$70
Year
Away & Home
Mandatory
Parking Fee
$234
Term
Away & Home
Optional
Housing Fee
$400
Year
Away & Home
Mandatory
IMPORTANT NOTES:

Non-refundable fees include: UHM general application fee ($70), and on-campus housing application fee ($25). The NSE program fee ($85) is only refundable if cancellations are made prior to orientation that semester. The housing application fee and deposit are only mandatory if living on-campus. Students attending UHM on Home payment and not paying UHM fees may opt in for the UPass (for the bus) and the Warrior Recreation Center (campus gym) for a fee. Health Insurance: U.S. citizens are highly encouraged to have health insurance either from their home state or if needed, health insurance may be purchased at UHM (http://www.hawaii.edu/shs/student_insurance/). International students are REQUIRED to have health insurance. Please see https://www.hawaii.edu/issmanoa/?page_id=39 for more information.

Canadian students may incur additional fees relating to their student visa and services provided by the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office.

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 10/23/2025
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? No
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 0
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $3926
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

NSE students may apply for on-campus housing after completing the UH application for admission and being assigned a UH ID number. On-campus housing is available but cannot be guaranteed, particularly for the Spring semester. On-campus housing rates vary depending on the option. Roommate requests can be made but are not guaranteed. More information can be found here: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/housing/.

NOTES ABOUT OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Although we provide helpful information for off-campus housing, students are responsible for securing their own accommodations. Popular off-campus housing options are Hale Kuahine (https://www.eastwestcenter.org/campus/housing/housing-facilities/hale-kuahine), Hale Mahana (http://www.halemahana.com) and RISE (https://www.risemanoa.com/).

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $2900
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

Campus Dining is provided by Sodexo. More information on meal plan options, including cost, is available at https://manoa.hawaii.edu/housing/residentialdining. For cafeteria menus and information about on-campus retail dining venues, please visit https://uhm.sodexomyway.com/. Participation in the dining program is mandatory for residence hall students, but optional for apartment residents. It is also optional for students living off-campus.

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Most Competitive

This campus is one of the most requested and accepts fewer than 25% of applicants. You may apply to only one campus marked most competitive, and it must be listed as the first choice on their application. If you apply to this campus, we suggest you list a minimum of 3-5 alternate campuses, with one to two campuses that have an OPEN or EXCELLENT chance of acceptance.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Closed

This campus is not accepting students on this tuition payment plan.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: