Last Updated: Sunday July 26, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
Honolulu Community College (Honolulu CC / HCC) — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Public Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu Community College (Honolulu CC / HCC) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Honolulu, Hawaii 96817-4505 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 https://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/

Honolulu Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

$12,369Annual Cost
$45,105Grad Salary
17.2%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$6,399
Need-Based Aid
17.2% receive Pell

Honolulu Community College HI Honolulu Community College is recognized for its strong workforce programs and transfer opportunities within the University of Hawaii system. Students benefit from practical training and affordable access to higher education in Hawaii.\n\nThe college is especially known for aviation maintenance, marine technologies, automotive technology, healthcare, and skilled trades. Industry-aligned programs provide strong career preparation and employment opportunities.

Honolulu Community College Acceptance Rate

Honolulu Community College (Honolulu CC / HCC) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.

What to Expect

  • Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
  • Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.

Selectivity at a Glance

Open Enrollment
Honolulu Community College Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).

Honolulu Community College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026

Honolulu Community College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.

Key Admission Dates

⏳ 135 days left — Rolling
🔄
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime

Honolulu CC / HCC reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.

Rolling NEXT UP
December 15
Rolling
June 15
Rolling
August 1

Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.

Check Your Admission Chances at Honolulu CC / HCC

Admission Chance Predictor

Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Honolulu Community College's verified institutional data

--%
Calculating Profile...

Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.

Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00

⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.

Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.

Honolulu Community College (Honolulu CC / HCC) Test Requirements

Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Honolulu CC / HCC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.

Can I Get Into Honolulu CC / HCC Without SAT or ACT?

Honolulu CC / HCC's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Honolulu CC / HCC

Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer

Honolulu CC / HCC's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.

Check the EIMT program's admission freeze before you build a plan around it

Honolulu CC's Electrical Installation and Maintenance Technology (EIMT) program has stopped accepting new students entirely due to overwhelming demand, with the next intake not scheduled until Fall 2029. If EIMT was your target trade program, verify current admission status directly on HonCC's site before building a timeline around it - a multi-year closure like this rarely appears in general "open admission" college guides.

Use the Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver if you qualify - it's separate from Hawai'i Promise

Students of Native Hawaiian ancestry with financial need (EFC of $3,000 or less) can receive a tuition waiver covering full-time resident tuition, layered on top of (not instead of) the Hawai'i Promise last-dollar scholarship. Submit the FAFSA by May 1st specifically for this waiver - a different, earlier deadline than the general Hawai'i Promise priority date of March 1 - so track both dates separately if you qualify for either.

Leverage the Fire program's federal Pathways pipeline if firefighting is your goal

Honolulu CC runs the only college-level fire training program on O'ahu, and completion positions graduates to apply for a federal fire recruit position through the Pathways Program, plus eligibility as a higher-level recruitment candidate with the Honolulu Fire Department. If firefighting is your target career, treat this program's ProBoard and National Registry EMT certifications as your direct route into HFD hiring pools rather than applying to HFD cold after a generic degree.

Apply through the single UH System application, but track program-specific deadlines separately

Honolulu CC uses the shared University of Hawai'i System application (free for residents, $25 for non-residents) that also covers its six sister community colleges, but selective programs (like Fire, Marine Education, and other limited-capacity tracks) set their own separate deadlines that don't follow the general admission calendar. Confirm your specific program's deadline directly with HonCC rather than assuming the general UH System application timeline applies.

Expert Insight:

A real and current risk is assuming any Honolulu CC program is open simply because the college has 100% general acceptance - the EIMT closure to new students through Fall 2029 shows that popular trade programs can close for years at a time due to capacity constraints, and a student who doesn't verify current program-level availability can lose years of planning around a program that isn't accepting anyone.

Honolulu CC / HCC Profile

Full Name
Honolulu Community College (Honolulu CC / HCC)
City
Honolulu
State
Hawaii
ZIP Code
96817-4505
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASCJC)

Is a Honolulu CC / HCC Degree Worth It?

At $12,369/year against a $45,105 median graduate salary, Honolulu CC / HCC is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.

The average household income among admitted students is $67,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.04%.

How much does a degree from Honolulu CC / HCC Cost?

The sticker price is $12,369/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $6,399.

17.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 2.4% take federal loans at Honolulu CC / HCC — file your FAFSA early and list Honolulu CC / HCC as a choice to be considered for both.

How much does a Honolulu CC / HCC Graduate earn?

Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $45,105 — about 11% above the U.S. median graduate income.

$12,369Annual Cost
$6,399Net Price
17.2%Pell Grant
2.4%Federal Loan
$45,105Grad Salary (10yr)

Degree Programs at Honolulu CC / HCC

Associate Degree Programs

UG Certificate or Diploma Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Honolulu CC / HCC Admissions

Median earnings for Honolulu Community College graduates sit around $45,105 a year.

At about $12,369 a year, Honolulu Community College is on the more affordable end.

Honolulu Community College's Pell Grant rate of 17.2% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.

The application deadline for Honolulu Community College is December 15 for Rolling applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.

Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.

Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.

SK

Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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