Public
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Lihue, Hawaii
Kauai Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$13,608Annual Cost
$36,868Grad Salary
24.2%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
Avg Net Price
$5,724
Need-Based Aid
24.2% receive Pell
Kauai Community College is a public institution in Hawaii that offers a variety of associate degrees, transfer pathways, and vocational programs in a supportive, island-based campus environment. Committed to student success and academic persistence, the college integrates local culture with rigorous, high-quality instruction. Whether students are looking to build foundational professional skills or complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree, the college provides an accessible and high-value educational foundation.
Kauai Community College Acceptance Rate
Kauai Community College (Kauai CC) 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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
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).
Kauai Community College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Kauai 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
⏳ 133 days left — Rolling
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Kauai CC 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
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 Kauai CC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Kauai Community College's verified institutional data
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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.
Kauai Community College (Kauai CC) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Kauai CC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Kauai CC Without SAT or ACT?
Kauai CC'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 Kauai CC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Kauai CC is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Plan for the full Career Ladder nursing structure from day one
Kauai CC's nursing program is a stacked ladder: a first-level curriculum (two semesters plus a summer session) leads to a Practical Nurse certificate and NCLEX-PN eligibility, and continuing into the second level (two more semesters) leads to an Associate in Science degree and NCLEX-RN eligibility - with direct eligibility afterward for the 4th year of the UH M?noa BSN program. Map prerequisite coursework against this full multi-year ladder rather than treating it as a single two-year program.
Hit "Proficient" on every TEAS section - "Basic" won't clear the bar
Nursing admission requires TEAS scores at the Proficient level or higher in every content area; a Basic or Developmental score in even one section disqualifies the application regardless of overall composite score. A borderline applicant should retest specifically to raise the weakest section rather than relying on a strong overall average to compensate.
Meet with the Health Science counselor to see the actual admissions rubric
Nursing admission decisions use a faculty-approved rubric, but the exact scoring weights aren't published on the general website - applicants are directed to meet with the Health Science counselor to review the current version. Skipping this meeting means applying without knowing how the application is actually being scored.
Check eligibility for fee waivers and the Senior Citizen Visitor Program
Application is free for Hawai'i residents and for active-duty military or eligible dependents stationed in Hawai'i (non-residents pay $25), and Hawai'i residents 60 and older can access a separate Senior Citizen Visitor Program. Confirm eligibility for these categories before defaulting to the standard paid application path.
Expert Insight:
Because Kauai CC shares a single UH System Application with six other UH community colleges, a student already enrolled at another UH campus who gets accepted into Kauai's nursing program must separately submit a "Change of Home Institution" form and clear financial aid/VA benefits from their prior campus - acceptance into the nursing program does not automatically transfer home-campus status.
Kauai CC Profile
Full Name
Kauai Community College (Kauai CC)
City
Lihue
State
Hawaii
ZIP Code
96766-9500
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASCJC)
Is a Kauai CC Degree Worth It?
Kauai CC offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $62,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.46%.
How much does a degree from Kauai CC Cost?
The sticker price is $13,608/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $5,724.
24.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 1.6% take federal loans at Kauai CC. File your FAFSA early and list Kauai CC as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Kauai CC Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $36,868. That's somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Kauai CC
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Kauai CC Admissions
Median earnings for Kauai Community College graduates sit around $36,868 a year.
At about $13,608 a year, Kauai Community College is on the more affordable end.
Kauai Community College's Pell Grant rate of 24.2% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
The application deadline for Kauai 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.