University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Nursing Program Review (2026): Programs, Requirements & Outcomes
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo in Hilo offers BSN, RN-to-BSN, and DNP. Published tuition includes $312/cr. NCLEX-RN pass rate and admissions requirements for 2026.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UH Hilo emphasizes transcultural nursing and rural clinical learning as the neighbor-island BSN provider, with simulation labs and community projects (for example school health teaching and screenings) described on the BSN program page. Pre-licensure cohorts are capacity-limited (30 students on the Hilo campus and 10 in the Waianae distance cohort per published materials). Use Hawaiʻi DCCA pass-rate publications—not this page—for a verified first-time NCLEX-RN percentage.
Overview & Why Students Choose UH Hilo
The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo School of Nursing sits on Hawaiʻi Island and offers the only baccalaureate nursing program on the neighbor islands: pre-licensure BSN students train in smaller communities with rural clinical emphasis, while the Waianae distance cohort brings Oʻahu access to the same curriculum. The school states that its baccalaureate nursing program is accredited by CCNE (see the BSN accreditation page) and that programs are approved by the Hawaiʻi State Board of Nursing (see the catalog nursing overview).
Beyond the BSN, UH Hilo lists an online RN-to-BSN with clinical courses on the student’s home island, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with family nurse practitioner preparation, and a Hawaiʻi high school direct entry (HSDE) pathway for qualified freshmen who commit to prerequisite performance. The School of Nursing office is in University Classroom Building (UCB) 239—confirm advising contacts and the latest cohort sizes on the official site.
This guide does not list a numeric first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate because the figure must be taken from current Hawaiʻi DCCA Board of Nursing annual reports or verified school disclosures. Use the Board’s nursing program resources and confirm cohort-year definitions with UH Hilo.
Reasons students choose UH Hilo
Neighbor-island BSN & rural focus
UH Hilo markets the only four-year BSN on the outer islands, with transcultural nursing threads and rural clinical learning described on the BSN overview.
CCNE-accredited BSN & DNP
Separate accreditation pages on the school site describe CCNE recognition for the baccalaureate program and the DNP—confirm expiration dates on those pages.
Flexible RN-to-BSN
Asynchronous online coursework with January, May, and August starts; two clinical courses can be completed on your home island per the RN-to-BSN page.
Simulation & community engagement
Low- and high-fidelity manikins in a simulated hospital environment plus community health projects (for example screenings and school teaching) are highlighted for BSN students.
Public tuition & UH System resources
Resident tuition follows the published UH Hilo schedule; compare total cost of attendance including fees, housing, and inter-island travel if applicable.
Nursing Programs Offered
The School of Nursing academic programs page lists the pathways below. This page mirrors that structure so pre-licensure, post-licensure, and graduate options stay distinct.
Pre-licensure (BSN)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Upper-division nursing major after prerequisites; competitive admission uses natural science grades and TEAS. Hilo campus cohort: 30 students each fall; Waianae distance cohort: 10 students with the same entry requirements per UH Hilo’s BSN overview.
Hawaiʻi High School Direct Entry (HSDE)
For recent Hawaiʻi high school graduates who meet SAT/ACT and GPA thresholds and maintain continuation requirements—feeds the same BSN curriculum starting in the junior year. See the HSDE program page.
Post-licensure
RN to BSN
Asynchronous online courses with multiple start dates each year; two clinical courses may be completed on your home island. UH requires a minimum of 30 credits from the Hilo campus to award the UH Hilo BSN per the RN-to-BSN page.
Graduate (DNP)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP options described on the DNP program page; emphasizes rural and transcultural primary care and leadership. CCNE accreditation is described on the DNP accreditation page.
Non-degree / regulatory
The School of Nursing also offers a nursing refresher course for applicants directed by the Board of Nursing—see School of Nursing deadlines for intake dates and eligibility.
Only enroll through pathways published on the official UH Hilo nursing site. If a program name or deadline changes, defer to the school’s current catalog and application portals (Kuali Build / Liaison CAS for graduate).
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
In Hawaiʻi, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Board of Nursing licenses nurses and publishes materials that include annual NCLEX pass rate reporting for approved nursing programs. This page does not quote a percentage for UH Hilo because the exact first-time pass rate for the most recent reporting period must be read from the Board’s current annual report PDF or dashboard—not inferred from third-party sites.
For the most recent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for UH Hilo pre-licensure graduates, download the current annual pass rate report from the Hawaiʻi Board of Nursing (DCCA) site and cross-check any school marketing numbers against that document. The Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing also publishes RN education dashboards that may summarize program data—still confirm definitions with the Board.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (UH Hilo) | Not stated on this page — obtain the figure from the current Hawaiʻi DCCA annual pass rate publication or verified UH Hilo outcomes document. |
| Source | Hawaiʻi Board of Nursing (DCCA); confirm current rates with the Board and UH Hilo School of Nursing. |
NCLEX-RN percentages vary by cohort and reporting year. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rate, number of test takers, and methodology with the Hawaiʻi Board of Nursing and the school.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International applicants and foreign-educated nurses must coordinate UH admissions, visa and clinical-site requirements, and Hawaiʻi Board of Nursing rules for RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility. Clinical placements at U.S. hospitals often require background checks, immunizations, and documentation that may differ by visa status. This section is guidance only—not legal or immigration advice.
- English proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements and minimum scores for UH Hilo undergraduate or graduate admission.
- Transcript evaluation: Course-by-course evaluations (for example, WES or other approved services) if required for transfer credit.
- Hawaiʻi Board of Nursing: Credential review, NCLEX eligibility, and any additional steps for internationally educated applicants—confirm with DCCA Board of Nursing.
- Clinical clearance: Immunizations, background checks, drug screening, and health insurance required by nursing programs and clinical sites.
- Visa & clinical placement: Some hospitals limit placements by visa category; verify with UH Hilo’s international office and the School of Nursing before assuming clinical placement.
Policies change frequently. Verify with UH Hilo uhhson@hawaii.edu, the campus international office, and the Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Upper-division BSN admission at UH Hilo is competitive and based on performance in specified natural science courses and ATI TEAS scores, per the BSN admission information page. Students enter as Exploratory Health Sciences (EXHS) majors until they meet prerequisites. Natural science courses may be attempted no more than two times, and the TEAS must meet recency and retake rules described on the same page.
HSDE applicants use a separate ranking formula (SAT/ACT plus high school GPA) and must meet continuation requirements each semester; see the HSDE page. RN-to-BSN applicants follow the School of Nursing’s online application deadlines, and DNP applicants submit the graduate application through Liaison CAS plus the SON supplemental materials referenced on the DNP pages.
Application timeline (high level)
| Program | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BSN (Hilo & Waianae) | November 1 | Fall entry only for upper-division admission per School of Nursing homepage. |
| HSDE | November 1 | For freshman entry the following fall; see HSDE FAQ for details. |
| RN-to-BSN | May 1 (fall priority) · October 1 (spring priority) | Additional entry dates may be listed on the RN-to-BSN application portal. |
| DNP | December 1 priority | Graduate division application via Liaison CAS; rolling basis may apply—confirm on the nursing homepage. |
Admissions snapshot (BSN upper division)
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Nursing program acceptance rate | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA | 2.7 cumulative college GPA; 3.0 natural science GPA for BSN degree requirements (admission page) |
| TEAS | Required; minimum 70%; max three retakes per year with ≥2 weeks between attempts; scores must be within one year of application (admission page) |
| Prerequisite repeats | Natural science courses limited to two attempts; grades in repeated courses follow policies on the admission page |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
UH Hilo publishes semester tuition on its Tuition Schedule. Figures below come from the 2025–2026 regular semester table on that page (undergraduate vs. graduate nursing rates). Campus-based fees, housing, meals, books, travel between islands for clinicals, and any program-specific professional fees are not fully captured here—use the fees schedule and UH financial aid office for your total cost of attendance.
BSN and RN-to-BSN courses bill at the undergraduate rate unless your transcript places you in a different category; DNP courses use the Graduate Nursing rate listed on the same schedule.
| Metric | Value (2025–26 regular semester, UH Hilo schedule) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate resident | $312 per credit; $3,744 full-time (12+ credits) |
| Undergraduate non-resident | $852 per credit; $10,224 full-time (12+ credits) |
| Graduate Nursing (DNP) resident | $797 per credit; $9,564 full-time (12+ credits) |
| Graduate Nursing (DNP) non-resident | $1,574 per credit; $18,888 full-time (12+ credits) |
| Source | UH Hilo — Tuition Schedule. Confirm current rates and fees with the Cashier’s Office. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Graduates of the pre-licensure BSN sit for the NCLEX-RN and seek RN roles across Hawaiʻi’s hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and community settings. Employment rates or salary figures are not stated in this guide unless you obtain them from a school outcomes report with cohort year and methodology. For licensure exam performance, rely on Hawaiʻi DCCA Board of Nursing annual pass rate publications rather than unofficial rankings.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (pre-licensure BSN) | See Hawaiʻi DCCA annual reports — confirm cohort year with the Board and UH Hilo. |
| Job placement / salary | Not publicly disclosed in the sources summarized here; ask UH Hilo career services or alumni relations for graduate surveys if available. |
| Source | Hawaiʻi Board of Nursing (DCCA); BSN program outcomes (learning outcomes, not employment statistics). |
Is UH Hilo the Right Fit for You?
UH Hilo fits students who want a public university experience on Hawaiʻi Island with rural and transcultural nursing emphasis, neighbor-island clinical access, and optional Oʻahu distance study through the Waianae cohort—not a large urban mainland campus or a fully private nursing college.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want the neighbor-island BSN option with simulation labs and community-focused clinical learning.
- Can meet TEAS, natural science GPA, and repeat-limit rules for competitive upper-division admission.
- Need an online RN-to-BSN with clinicals on their home island and can complete UH Hilo residency credit requirements.
- Plan to pursue DNP-FNP preparation tied to rural Hawaiʻi practice needs.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect guaranteed admission after prerequisites—upper-division nursing remains capacity-limited.
- Cannot travel for clinical experiences or inter-island assignments when required by the program.
- Want an ABSN or traditional BSN on the U.S. mainland without relocating to Hawaiʻi.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Hilo anchors healthcare delivery for Hawaiʻi County. Major providers include Hilo Medical Center (part of the East Hawaiʻi Health network) and Queen’s North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital in Waimea, alongside community clinics, long-term care, and public health programs across the island. The Waianae cohort connects Oʻahu students with clinical experiences in West Oʻahu communities. Exact preceptor lists change by semester—confirm active affiliations in the nursing student handbook or clinical office.
| Facility / region | Role in student experience |
|---|---|
| Hilo / East Hawaiʻi | Acute care, community health, and rural immersion consistent with UH Hilo’s program emphasis. |
| North Hawaiʻi (Waimea area) | Regional hospital and clinic experiences commonly used by island nursing programs—verify current contracts with UH Hilo. |
| Waianae (distance cohort) | Oʻahu-based rural health focus for students admitted to the Waianae BSN track. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
UH Hilo’s nursing office is located in the University Classroom Building, and the BSN materials describe a learning lab with low- and high-fidelity manikins in a simulated hospital layout. Students participate in community projects such as health teaching in schools and community screenings—activities that reinforce public health competencies alongside acute care rotations. Student organizations, peer mentoring, and honor society opportunities vary by year; check campus life resources and the School of Nursing for current groups.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Hilo, HI
- School of Nursing office
- University Classroom Building (UCB), Room 239 — per UH Hilo catalog
- Mailing address
- 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, US
- Telephone
- (808) 932-7067
- uhhson@hawaii.edu
- Website
- hilo.hawaii.edu/depts/nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the current BSN prerequisites and recommended course sequence from the BSN program page.
- Register for the ATI TEAS through ATI and plan retakes within UH Hilo’s one-year and spacing rules.
- Calculate tuition using the UH Hilo Tuition Schedule plus the campus fees schedule.
- Open the latest Hawaiʻi DCCA annual NCLEX pass rate publication to benchmark UH Hilo against other approved programs.
- Email uhhson@hawaii.edu with cohort-specific questions (Hilo vs. Waianae vs. RN-to-BSN).
- If applying to the DNP, gather transcripts and review the graduate admissions and Liaison CAS instructions.
- Bookmark immunization and background-check requirements in the nursing student handbook when you receive access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo School of Nursing a good program?
UH Hilo publishes CCNE accreditation for its baccalaureate and DNP programs and emphasizes rural, transcultural nursing on Hawaiʻi Island. Compare NCLEX-RN outcomes using official Hawaiʻi DCCA annual reports—not marketing summaries alone—and confirm details with the School of Nursing.
What GPA and TEAS score does UH Hilo require for nursing?
The BSN admission page lists a 2.7 cumulative college GPA, 3.0 natural science GPA for degree requirements, and a minimum 70% on the ATI TEAS with retake limits. Confirm current thresholds before you apply.
Does UH Hilo require the TEAS exam?
Yes for upper-division BSN applicants—the admission page states the ATI TEAS is required with a minimum score of 70% and documents retake and recency rules.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for UH Hilo?
Use the Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Board of Nursing annual pass rate publications for program-specific first-time NCLEX-RN rates. Confirm the reporting year and cohort definition with the Board and UH Hilo.
Does UH Hilo offer an accelerated BSN (ABSN)?
UH Hilo’s public program list highlights the traditional BSN, HSDE, RN-to-BSN, and DNP. A separate ABSN is not described on the pages summarized here—ask the School of Nursing whether any accelerated second-degree option exists.
What are clinical placement sites for UH Hilo nursing students?
Students train across Hawaiʻi Island settings and, for the Waianae cohort, in West Oʻahu communities. Exact hospitals and clinics rotate by semester—verify contracted sites in the nursing handbook or clinical office.
How much is tuition for nursing at UH Hilo?
The 2025–26 UH Hilo Tuition Schedule lists undergraduate resident tuition at $312 per credit ($3,744 full-time) and non-resident at $852 per credit ($10,224 full-time). DNP courses bill at the Graduate Nursing rate shown on the same page. Add mandatory fees and living costs separately.
References
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo — School of Nursinghilo.hawaii.edu/depts/nursing
- UH Hilo — BSN Admission InformationAdmission information (TEAS, GPA)
- UH Hilo — Tuition Schedulehilo.hawaii.edu/tuition
- UH Hilo — BSN Accreditation (CCNE)BSN accreditation page
- Hawaiʻi Board of Nursing (DCCA)cca.hawaii.gov — Board of Nursing
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Sid Balal, RGN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for alignment with UH Hilo School of Nursing program pages, the UH Hilo tuition schedule, CCNE accreditation statements, and Hawaiʻi DCCA Board of Nursing sourcing for NCLEX pass rates.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It is not legal, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, tuition, and outcomes change; verify with the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and the Hawaiʻi Board of Nursing.
Published: Mar 23, 2026· Last reviewed: Aug 14, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy