University of Hawaii at Manoa admits 69.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the university in the Moderately Selective category, reflecting an accessible admission process while maintaining academic standards. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that University of Hawaii at Manoa operates with somewhat higher selectivity than typical institutions of similar size and mission. This moderate selectivity level means that qualified students have strong prospects for admission, though the university does maintain standards that prevent automatic acceptance. The 30.3% of applicants who are not admitted typically fall short on academic preparation, test scores, or other admission criteria. For prospective students, this selectivity level suggests the importance of meeting basic academic requirements while not creating the intense competition found at highly selective institutions. Students should approach University of Hawaii at Manoa as a realistic target school if their academic profile aligns with the university's standards, making it neither a safety nor a reach for most qualified applicants.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at University of Hawaii at Manoa typically score between 1020 and 1240 on the SAT, with a median of 1157. The middle 50% of enrolled students fall within this range, though students scoring outside these bounds are admitted in smaller numbers. SAT Math scores range from 480 to 600, while SAT Verbal scores span from 540 to 640, indicating balanced expectations across both sections. ACT scores range from 20 to 27 with a median of 24, providing alternative pathways for students who perform better on the ACT format. These test score ranges place University of Hawaii at Manoa in the 92nd percentile nationally, indicating top-tier performance relative to all four-year institutions. The peer median SAT score of 1198 shows that University of Hawaii at Manoa's standards are 41 points below similar institutions, suggesting slightly more accessible academic requirements within its peer group. Students scoring within or near the middle 50% ranges should consider themselves academically competitive for admission. Those scoring below the 25th percentile face greater challenges but are not automatically excluded, while those scoring above the 75th percentile can view University of Hawaii at Manoa as a strong match academically. Applicants should recognize that test scores represent just one component of the admission evaluation process.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
University of Hawaii at Manoa enrolls a diverse student body that reflects both local and mainland demographics. The university serves 24.5% Pell-eligible students, indicating enrollment of students from lower-income families, though this share falls below many public institutions. First-generation college students comprise 33.8% of the enrollment, demonstrating the university's role in expanding educational access to families without prior college experience. Transfer students represent 36.5% of new enrollments, reflecting the university's integration with Hawaii's community college system and commitment to educational pathways. This composition suggests that University of Hawaii at Manoa balances traditional college-bound students with those following non-traditional paths to higher education. The substantial transfer population indicates strong articulation agreements and support systems for students beginning their education at two-year institutions. First-generation students should recognize that more than one-third of enrolled students share their background, suggesting institutional familiarity with supporting students navigating college without family guidance. The Pell share indicates that students from lower-income families will find peers with similar financial backgrounds, though the majority of students come from families with higher incomes.
With a 69.7% acceptance rate, University of Hawaii at Manoa is accessible to most qualified applicants, though students should still consider backup options and alternatives that offer similar outcomes with different characteristics.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
University of Hawaii at Manoa retains 74.8% of freshmen for sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 83.7%, indicating below-average retention performance that suggests some students face challenges adjusting to university life. The six-year graduation rate of 62.6% falls short of the peer median of 65.8%, though it reflects completion outcomes across a diverse student population. Pell-eligible students graduate at a rate of 59.6%, creating a 3.0 percentage point gap below the overall completion rate. This relatively small gap indicates that University of Hawaii at Manoa provides reasonably equitable support for lower-income students, though some disparity remains. The graduation rate differential suggests that while socioeconomic background creates some additional challenges, the university's support systems help most Pell-eligible students complete their degrees. Students considering University of Hawaii at Manoa should view these retention and completion rates as indicators of the academic environment they will experience. The below-peer retention suggests that some students may struggle with the transition to university life or academic demands. However, those who persist through the first year demonstrate strong prospects for degree completion. Lower-income students should weigh the moderate Pell completion gap when assessing institutional fit, recognizing that while challenges exist, the majority of Pell-eligible students successfully complete their degrees.
Similar quality tier in West (#301 ranked)
Schools with comparable admission profiles — useful for building a balanced list.
Similar quality tier (#310 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#312 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#296 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#318 ranked)
Higher acceptance rates with similar career outcomes.
Similar quality tier (#313 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#315 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#298 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#317 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#319 ranked)
Build a balanced list with schools at different selectivity and price points.
Explore More Schools