Nursing in Hawaii
Hawaii has 8 nursing schools running 13 board-approved programs, and the median RN program’s first-time NCLEX pass rate was 93.3%. Registered nurses here earn a median of $136,320; nurse practitioners, $135,570. Hawaii is not a compact state. Every figure below names its source and the period it covers.
Nursing Schools in Hawaii
13 of Hawaii’s 13 programs have a published 2025 first-time pass rate. RN programs averaged 90.4% — 3.9 points above the 86.5% national average. Practical nursing programs averaged 92.8%.
| Degree | Programs | Median pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Associate (ADN) | 3 | 95.8% |
| Bachelor’s (BSN) | 5 | 84.6% |
Both degrees lead to the same RN license. ADN vs BSN, compared nationally →
Highest first-time pass rates (2025)
In-state RN programs. Ties go to the program with more nursing graduates. A single year’s rate swings widely for small programs; check the trend before you choose.
- University of Hawai‘i at MānoaHonolulu · BSN100%
- Kaua‘i Community CollegeLīhu‘e · ADN100%
- University of Hawai‘i at MānoaHonolulu · MS (direct-entry; tested as UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII - MANOA MEPN)100%
- Kapi‘olani Community CollegeHonolulu · ADN95.8%
- Chaminade University of HonoluluHonolulu · BSN93.3%
What Nurses Earn in Hawaii
Federal wage survey data (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — employer-reported, not job-board estimates. The RN median in Hawaii is $38,770 above the $97,550 national median; the NP median is $3,270 above the $132,300 national NP median.
| Hawaii | Registered nurse | Nurse practitioner |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $136,320 | $135,570 |
| Median hourly | $65.54 | $65.18 |
| Starting range (10th pct.) | $82,500 | $106,450 |
| Top earners (90th pct.) | $147,830 | $174,350 |
| Employed in state | 12,940 | 550 |
Licensing in Hawaii
Hawaii is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A Hawaii license covers Hawaii only, and a nurse licensed in another state needs a separate Hawaii license to practice here (licensure by endorsement).
Either way the license starts the same: graduate from a board-approved program and pass the NCLEX. Fees, processing times, and continuing-education rules are set by the Hawaii board of nursing and change — confirm them with the board directly. The board documents these pass rates came from: 2026-02 (list Last Updated: February 2026; rates: CY2025 report printed 2026-04-01).
Sources
- First-time NCLEX pass rates by programEach state board of nursing — the exact board documents are linked on every state page · Data: 2025 first-time test takers · Checked
- Program cost, completion, and graduate earningsU.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Checked
- Registered nurse wages and employment (SOC 29-1141)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse practitioner wages and employment (SOC 29-1171)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse Licensure Compact member states and implementation datesNational Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) · Checked
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing schools are in Hawaii?
Hawaii has 8 nursing schools running 13 board-approved programs — 9 RN programs and 4 practical nursing programs (state board of nursing list, 2025 pass-rate year).
What is the NCLEX pass rate in Hawaii?
The median Hawaii RN program's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 93.3%, and the average across programs was 90.4% — 3.9 points above the 86.5% national average (2025 first-time test takers, from the state board of nursing).
How much do nurses make in Hawaii?
Registered nurses in Hawaii earn a median of $136,320 a year ($65.54 an hour), $38,770 above the national RN median. Nurse practitioners earn a median of $135,570 (BLS, May 2025).
Is Hawaii a compact nursing state?
Hawaii is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A Hawaii license covers Hawaii only, and a nurse licensed in another state needs a separate Hawaii license to practice here (licensure by endorsement). Source: NCSBN compact map, checked September 17, 2026.
Nursing in other states
Keep going
- Degree pathwayADN vs BSNBoth degrees lead to the same RN license. Here is how associate and bachelor’s programs actually compare on NCLEX pass rates, graduate debt, and earnings.
- GuideADN vs BSN: Which Nursing Program Should You Choose?Compare ADN and prelicensure BSN pathways by time, total cost, admission, clinical logistics, employer expectations, and bridge options—not prestige alone.
- FinderCheapest RN programs in the U.S.The lowest-cost RN programs nationally, with their NCLEX pass rates alongside.
- FinderCompare nursing schoolsPut any nursing programs side by side on pass rate, cost, and outcomes.
- GuideHow Competitive Is Nursing School Admission?Estimate nursing-school competitiveness using seats, qualified applicants, point rubrics, recent cutoffs, attrition, and the parts of your application you can still change.
- Degree pathwayLPN to RNThe pay difference between a practical nurse and a registered nurse, and how practical-nursing and RN programs compare on pass rates, debt, and graduate earnings.