Public
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Hilo, Hawaii
Hawaii Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$15,161Annual Cost
$34,891Grad Salary
30.9%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
$7,369
Need-Based Aid
30.9% receive Pell
Hawaii Community College HI Hawaii Community College serves students through transfer pathways, workforce education, and community-focused programs. As part of the University of Hawaii system, it provides affordable access to higher education throughout the state.\n\nThe college is particularly known for hospitality, agriculture, Hawaiian studies, healthcare, and technical education. Its programs reflect the unique economic and cultural needs of Hawaii.
Hawaii Community College Acceptance Rate
Hawaii Community College (Hawaii 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
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).
Hawaii Community College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Hawaii 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 November 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 91 days left — Spring 2026 Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Hawaii 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.
Spring 2026 Priority
November 1
Fall Priority
July 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 Hawaii CC / HCC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Hawaii 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.
Hawaii Community College (Hawaii CC / HCC) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Hawaii CC / HCC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Hawaii CC / HCC Without SAT or ACT?
Hawaii 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 Hawaii CC / HCC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Hawaii CC / HCC provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Time your Nursing "Intent to Apply" a full year ahead of the general deadline
Hawai'i CC's general admission deadline (Aug 1 for fall) has nothing to do with entry into Nursing or Allied Health. Those programs run on a separate, competitive point-system process with an Intent to Apply and full document packet due January 15 of the year before enrollment - and the packet must include a printed TEAS score. If your student wants the AS-Nursing or LPN-to-AS pathway, back-plan prerequisites (all completed with a "C" or better, no C-) so every required course is finished by the end of the spring term before that January 15 cutoff.
Check program availability at the exact campus before building a plan around it
Hawai'i CC operates two sites - Manono/Upper Campus in Hilo and P?lamanui in Kailua-Kona - and program offerings differ. The Practical Nursing (PRCN) certificate is not being offered in Hilo for Fall 2026 and isn't expected to resume until 2027. Before a student anchors a plan on PRCN or another allied health credential, verify current-cycle availability directly with the Division of Nursing & Allied Health rather than trusting an unchecked program list.
Lean into the zero-cost, zero-essay path for Hawai'i residents
There's no application fee, personal essay, or letter of recommendation for general admission if the student is a Hawai'i resident - nonresidents pay a flat $25. Since general admission has no competitive academic bar, the real leverage point is building a STAR (registration) plan early: meet a counselor before the first registration window (Fall opens late April) to sequence English/Math placement and avoid losing a semester to remedial coursework.
Build the transfer articulation into the application from day one
Hawai'i CC has established transfer agreements with UH Hilo and UH M?noa. If the end goal is a bachelor's degree, declare an AA (not an AAS, which is terminal and not transfer-intended) and map gen-ed electives to satisfy both the AA and the eventual four-year target simultaneously - that's the actual admission strategy at an open-access two-year school: sequencing for transfer, not competing for a seat.
Expert Insight:
The most common and costly mistake: treating the Aug 1 general admission deadline as if it also covers Nursing/Allied Health. Students who apply in July assuming they can add a Nursing application afterward miss the January 15 Intent to Apply cutoff - which falls in the prior academic year - and lose an entire admission cycle. Always separate "getting into Hawai'i CC" from "getting into the Nursing program" as two distinct timelines.
Hawaii CC / HCC Profile
Full Name
Hawaii Community College (Hawaii CC / HCC)
City
Hilo
State
Hawaii
ZIP Code
96720-5096
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 Hawaii CC / HCC Degree Worth It?
At $15,161/year against a $34,891 median graduate salary, Hawaii 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 $51,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 5.98%.
How much does a degree from Hawaii CC / HCC Cost?
The sticker price is $15,161/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $7,369.
30.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 3.5% take federal loans at Hawaii CC / HCC — file your FAFSA early and list Hawaii CC / HCC as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Hawaii CC / HCC Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $34,891 — somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Hawaii CC / HCC
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaii CC / HCC Admissions
Median earnings for Hawaii Community College graduates sit around $34,891 a year.
At about $15,161 a year, Hawaii Community College is on the more affordable end.
About 30.9% receive a Pell Grant at Hawaii Community College — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
The application deadline for Hawaii Community College is November 1 for Spring 2026 Priority 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.