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F A S T   F A C T S
Location | Hilo
Population | 40,759
Enrollment | 2,781
Language | English
Calendar | Semester
Canada | Home & Host

Term Dates
Fall | 08/25-12/19
Spring | 01/12-05/15

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Hilo, HI

     
U.S. News and World Report ranked us #1 for most ethnically diverse campus.
10 of the 14 world climate zones exist on the island of Hawai'i.
The College of Business & Economics is accredited by the AACSB.

About This Campus

The University of Hawai'i at Hilo (UH Hilo) is located on the Big Island of Hawai'i, about 200 air miles from Honolulu. A seacoast city of 45,000 residents, Hilo spreads beneath Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes and is surrounded by lush agricultural fields and expansive forest reserves. Located in a tropical rainforest region, Hilo's climate has both ample sun and abundant rain. The Big Island's diverse geography provides a wide range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, surfing and diving. Special features include Volcanoes National Park, astronomy observatories on Mauna Kea, and access to unique marine life. The student population of about 2,700 is predominantly from Hawai'i and of Native Hawaiian and Asian descent, making UH Hilo one of the nation's most ethnically diverse campuses.

Location Information

Hilo is located on the Island of Hawaii, commonly called "The Big Island," about 200 air miles from the capital city of Honolulu. The nearest airport is located in Hilo, but has limited direct flights from the continental U.S.; most travelers enter Hawai'i through Honolulu and then take a short 50-minute flight to Hilo. Hilo is a rural community with limited public transportation, but has ample amenities, including shopping, dining and cultural attractions.
2025-2026 Chance of Placement
Host Payment |Open
Home Payment |Closed
Campus Availability & Deadlines
2026-2027 Chance of Placement
Host Payment |Open
Home Payment |Limited
Understand Chances of Placement

Academics

RegistrationClosed Programs
Nursing, Education, Pharmacy Studies and any course numbered 500 and above.

Limitations
Students whose first language is not English may be required to take English language placement tests and English as a Second Language classes if they do not have a TOEFL score of 46 (paper), TOEFL iBT of 61, IELTS score of 5.5, or Duolingo score of 90.

Notable Academic Programs

  • Hawaiian Studies - The program provides a unique educational opportunity for students interested in Hawaiian culture, history, music, biology, geography, dance, and language and linguistics.
  • Marine Sciences - UH Hilo's island location in the Pacific makes it an ideal place to study marine sciences. The program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the world’s oceans and an appreciation of the importance of marine ecosystems to the global environment and human life. The mission is accomplished through a combination of hands-on laboratory and field experience, inquiry-based instruction, and direct interactive learning and is supported by a broad background in the marine sciences, including basic knowledge of the natural science disciplines of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and mathematics.
  • Geology - Hilo’s unique natural setting on the slope of an active volcano makes it an ideal place to experience firsthand the scientific and dynamic aspects of geology.
  • Astronomy - The astronomy program leverages the astronomy infrastructure of Mauna Kea and the University Park of Science and Technology to provide students with knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics, and training in modern methods of observational astronomy.

Unique Academic Programs

  • Hawaiian Studies - The program provides a unique educational opportunity for students interested in Hawaiian culture, history, music, biology, geography, dance, and language and linguistics.
  • Japanese Studies - The Japanese Studies program offers a broad range of coursework and research opportunities for students that is designed to develop an understanding of Japan in all of its dimensions: culture, society, language, art, political science, history, music, and others.
  • Marine Sciences - UH Hilo's island location in the Pacific makes it an ideal place to study marine sciences. The program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the world’s oceans and an appreciation of the importance of marine ecosystems to the global environment and human life. The mission is accomplished through a combination of hands-on laboratory and field experience, inquiry-based instruction, and direct interactive learning and is supported by a broad background in the marine sciences, including basic knowledge of the natural science disciplines of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and mathematics.
  • Astronomy - Hilo’s unique natural setting on the slope of an active volcano makes it an ideal place to experience firsthand the scientific and dynamic aspects of geology.
  • Geology - The astronomy program leverages the astronomy infrastructure of Mauna Kea and the University Park of Science and Technology to provide students with knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics, and training in modern methods of observational astronomy.

Undergraduate Majors Open to NSE Students

Accounting, Animal Sciences, Anthropology... ++ show all

Conditions

GPA and Other Academic Requirements Exchange Preferences
  • Full-year exchange Accepted
  • Single term exchange Accepted
Non-Native English Speakers
  • TOEFL: must have a score of 46.00 paper or N/A Internet
  • IELTS: must have a score of 5.50
Summer Exchange
  • Not available
International Students (Visa Students)
  • Will accept Home/Host Pay
Canadian Students - learn more
  • Will accept Home/Host Pay

Tuition / Finances

Figures per Semester are current as of 06/10/25

Finances Tuition and Fees Per Semester - Host Payment Students
  • Pay resident-rate tuition to your host campus. No tuition/fees are paid to your home campus
  • Estimated cost: $3919.
  • Figures are based on full-time enrollment.
Tuition and Fees - Home Payment Students
  • Pay regular tuition to your home campus. No tuition/fees are paid to your host campus.
Maximum Credit Hours Per Semester
  • Host Payment: 18
  • Home Payment: 18

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

Miscellaneous Fees - Per Semester

Purpose Amount Period Plan Status
NSE Program Fee $65 Year Host & Home Mandatory
Housing Deposit $200 Year Host & Home Mandatory
ID Card $10 Year Host & Home Mandatory
Course Fees / MaterialsVariesSemesterHost & HomeMandatory

Room / Meals

Figures are current as of 06/10/25

On-Campus Housing Per Semester Off-Campus Housing
  • Approximate monthly cost: $800
  • Proximity to campus: less than 1 mile
  • Local Public Transportation Available to Campus
Notes About Housing
Hale 'Alahonua, the newest residence hall on campus, is the most common assignment. It is suite-style living and is approximately $3,150 for a single room, but there are two students per unit. You also add a meal plan of your choice. More affordable options, as low as $1,772 for a shared room are possible, but less likely.

Meal Plans

Notes About Meal Plans
All Students assigned to Hale Kanilehua, Hale Kauanoe, Hale Alahonua, and Hale Kehau are required to be on a Meal Plan. Plan A: 7 All-You-Care-to-Eat Meals/Week + 500 Flex Points $2,352.00/semester Plan B: 10 All-You-Care-to-Eat Meals/Week + 450 Flex Points $2,553.00/semester Plan C: 14 All-You-Care-to-Eat Meals/Week +325 Flex Points $2,726.00/semester Plan D: (Hale Alahonua Residents ONLY):175 meals per semester plus $300 in points $2,553.00/semester * The information, terms and conditions in the Housing brochure are part of the application contract for on-campus student housing at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo for the academic year. All cost figures and dates listed are subject to change with 30 day’s notice.

Health

Figures per Semester are current as of 06/10/25

Exchange with Canada - Health Insurance
Students must purchase campus health insurance at $752 per semester.

Requirements

All data in this document is the responsibility of the campus and has been provided by the campus NSE coordinator.
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