Chaminade University of Honolulu

Private · Moderately Selective · HI

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationHI · West

SettingUrban

Undergrads1,672

Student:faculty11:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate55.1%

6-yr grad rate55.4%

Drop-out rate29.6%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$31k

Out-of-state tuition$31k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity91.5%

Gender diversity71%

International0.3%

IdentityRoman Catholic

Overview

A Catholic university in the Marianist tradition on a hillside above Waikiki in Honolulu, known outside Hawaii mainly as the school behind college basketball's most famous upset — the 1982 win over top-ranked Virginia — and within Hawaii for a diverse student body drawn largely from Pacific Islander and Asian communities.

Academics

Forensic sciences, nursing, and criminal justice are the strongest programs, each benefiting from real local placement and internship connections in Honolulu. Small classes and personal, mission-driven advising run throughout.

Campus & student life

A small campus embedded in Honolulu, giving students city and beach access without a sprawling suburban or rural setting. The student body's demographic mix is genuinely distinctive relative to most mainland comparisons.

Worth knowing

For mainland students, Chaminade offers a real Hawaii college option outside the University of Hawaii system, at a smaller, more personal scale.

chaminade.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate91.4%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 970–1250

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying