University of Hawaii at Manoa Nursing Program Review (2026): Programs, Requirements & Outcomes
BSN, MSN, and DNP in Honolulu at University of Hawaii at Manoa. Published tuition includes $5,652+ UG tuition / sem, resident (2024–25 catalog). 2026 admissions, NCLEX-RN pass rate.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UH Mānoa anchors nursing education in Hawaii with the UH Translational Health Science Simulation Center—a partnership among the school, HMSA Foundation, Hawaii Pacific Health, The Queen’s Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii—giving students access to high-fidelity simulation that is distinctive statewide.
Overview & Why Students Choose University of Hawaii at Manoa
On the Mānoa campus in Honolulu, the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene is the University of Hawaiʻi system’s flagship nursing school, offering pre-licensure and graduate programs aligned with workforce needs across the islands. Students train with faculty-led clinical experiences and with the UH Translational Health Science Simulation Center, a statewide collaboration with major Hawaii health organizations.
Pathways span the Traditional BSN (three-year cohort model), the Graduate Entry Program in Nursing (GEPN) for career changers with a prior bachelor’s degree, an online RN to BS completion option for licensed RNs, MS and DNP programs, and a PhD in Nursing that the school has been relaunching with a new curriculum—confirm current PhD status and admissions on the school website.
According to the University of Hawaii at Manoa Nursing Fast Facts (school-reported, calendar year 2023), the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was reported as 100% for Traditional BSN students and 98% for the Graduate Entry Program in Nursing cohort. These are school-reported calendar-year figures, not a substitute for the Hawaii Board of Nursing’s annual program reports. Confirm current rates with the Hawaii Board of Nursing (DCCA) and the school.
Reasons students choose University of Hawaii at Manoa
Island-wide clinical context
Clinical learning connects students to Hawaii’s distinct community and hospital settings across Oʻahu and neighboring islands, supporting competence in diverse populations and care environments.
Translational simulation center
The UH Translational Health Science Simulation Center partners with HMSA Foundation, Hawaii Pacific Health, The Queen’s Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii—resources not replicated elsewhere in the state at the same scale.
Breadth of pathways
From the Traditional BSN and GEPN to online RN-BSN, MS (including population health), DNP tracks, and PhD, students can progress from entry-level RN preparation through doctoral preparation within one school.
Published outcomes snapshot
The school publishes Fast Facts with first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates by track; use them with the Board’s official annual nursing program reports for the fullest picture.
Research and community programs
School initiatives (for example, Hawaii Keiki with the Hawaii Department of Education) illustrate applied nursing and public health engagement beyond the classroom.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following aligns with program listings on the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene website and the UH Mānoa graduate nursing pages. The school also houses a separate Dental Hygiene program; this guide focuses on nursing degrees only.
Pre-licensure & undergraduate completion
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
A three-year, full-time cohort program for students who meet prerequisites; prepares generalist RNs and NCLEX-RN eligibility. Uses holistic admissions (including TEAS). See the official BSN page for the current application deadline and statistics.
Graduate Entry Program in Nursing (GEPN)
Designed for applicants who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and seek entry into graduate nursing education with a structured path that includes NCLEX-RN preparation before advanced practice study. Confirm application windows and cohort length on the GEPN materials.
Online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online RN-BSN completion for associate degree or diploma RNs, with asynchronous coursework and limited in-person clinical/lab requirements; confirm Hawaii-based clinical rules on the program page.
Graduate & doctoral
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Includes an Online Advanced Population Health Nursing track (distance coursework with community fieldwork). A Nursing Education & Leadership track has appeared in catalog materials; confirm whether it is currently accepting applications on the MSN page.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Post-baccalaureate and post-master’s DNP options with nurse practitioner and leadership-related tracks (for example, FNP, adult-gerontology primary care, psychiatric mental health, and organizational leadership). Fall cohort model—verify tracks and deadlines on the DNP site.
PhD in Nursing
The school has announced a PhD relaunch with a new curriculum; confirm priority deadlines, cohort start, and research focus areas on the PhD program page before applying.
Tracks, deadlines, and admission status (especially MSN specialty tracks and PhD) change frequently. Confirm every pathway on the official nursing.hawaii.edu pages or the UH Mānoa catalog before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the University of Hawaii at Manoa Nursing Fast Facts (school-reported data, calendar year 2023), first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates were reported as 100% for Traditional BSN students and 98% for the Graduate Entry Program in Nursing. These figures are useful for trend context but should be confirmed alongside the Hawaii Board of Nursing’s official annual nursing-program pass-rate reports.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Traditional BSN — first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (school-reported) | Reported as 100% (calendar year 2023) on UH Mānoa Nursing Fast Facts |
| GEPN — first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (school-reported) | Reported as 98% (calendar year 2023) on UH Mānoa Nursing Fast Facts |
| Source | UH Mānoa Nursing Fast Facts; Hawaii Board of Nursing (DCCA) for annual program reports. Confirm current rates with the Board and the school. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and program. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Hawaii Board of Nursing and the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international applicants and internationally educated nurses depend on visa type, prior nursing education, and Hawaii licensure rules. Use the checklist below as orientation only; it is not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: UH Mānoa sets minimum TOEFL/IELTS or Duolingo scores for admission—confirm current thresholds for your program on the international admissions pages.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow UH and Graduate Division requirements for foreign transcripts (and any nursing-specific instructions from the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene).
- Hawaii Board of Nursing: For RN licensure by examination or endorsement, review DCCA application publications and confirm NCLEX eligibility.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical courses may have restrictions for certain visa categories; verify with the UH Mānoa International Student Services office and your program.
Policies change frequently. Verify with UH Mānoa’s international office, the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, and the Hawaii Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Traditional BSN admission at UH Mānoa is holistic and competitive: the school evaluates academics (GPA, prerequisites, TEAS), experience (statement, resume), and other factors. The Graduate Entry Program in Nursing, RN-BSN completion, MSN, and DNP each publish separate requirements and timelines—treat this section as a BSN-focused snapshot and confirm your pathway on the relevant program page.
Application timeline
| Program | Deadline pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN | Typically early calendar-year deadline for fall admission | The school has published a January deadline for a recent cycle (for example, January 19, 2026 on program materials)—confirm the next deadline on the Traditional BSN page. |
| GEPN | Periodic application windows | Applications for some future cohorts open in a defined late-year window; monitor the GEPN site for Fall 2027 and later cycles. |
| MSN / DNP | Often spring deadline for fall start | Example: school messaging has referenced a May 1 deadline for fall entry—verify on the graduate nursing pages. |
Admissions snapshot (Traditional BSN)
The school has published Fall 2025 admission statistics for the Traditional BSN on its program page, including an acceptance rate of about 11.2% (38 of 338 applicants), average combined GPA about 3.77, and average TEAS about 87%. These are school-reported cohort statistics—not a guarantee of future cutoffs.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (example) | ~11.2% for Fall 2025 cohort (school-reported on BSN materials) |
| Average GPA / TEAS (example) | ~3.77 combined GPA; ~87% TEAS (Fall 2025 cohort, school-reported) |
| TEAS | Required for Traditional BSN holistic review (ATI TEAS) |
| RN-BSN / graduate | Separate GPA rules (for example, RN-BSN lists different minimums for UH-system vs non-UH graduates)—confirm on each program page. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Tuition and fees at UH Mānoa are set by the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents and published in the general catalog. Figures below are from the 2024–2025 regular tuition schedule; new academic years may differ.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition (full-time, 12+ credits per semester) | Resident $5,652 / semester; nonresident $16,668 / semester (2024–2025 catalog) |
| Undergraduate nursing professional fee | $1,000 per semester for up to six semesters while enrolled in undergraduate nursing courses (2024–2025 catalog) |
| Graduate nursing tuition (full-time per semester) | Resident $12,012; nonresident $22,752 (2024–2025 “Graduate Nursing” band) |
| Mandatory student fees | Additional per-semester fees (health, campus center, etc.) apply to all students—see the catalog fee tables. |
| Source | UH Mānoa 2024–2025 Regular Tuition Schedule and SONDH financial aid & tuition overview. Confirm current amounts with the Office of the Registrar. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Outcome reporting for nursing programs in Hawaii should combine school disclosures (such as Fast Facts) with Board of Nursing annual pass-rate reports. Employment and salary figures are highly cohort- and methodology-dependent; confirm any job-offer or placement percentage with the school and ask for the report year and definition.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate | School-reported on Fast Facts: 100% Traditional BSN and 98% GEPN (calendar year 2023). Confirm newer years on Fast Facts and with the Hawaii Board of Nursing. |
| Job placement / employment | Not summarized here with a single percentage; request the school’s latest employment or outcomes disclosure for your program. Confirm current rates with the school and the Hawaii Board of Nursing as needed. |
Is University of Hawaii at Manoa the Right Fit for You?
UH Mānoa fits students who want a public flagship nursing program in Hawaiʻi with strong simulation resources and island-based clinical training. It may be less ideal if you need guaranteed direct freshman entry into nursing everywhere (BSN is competitive) or if you cannot meet nonresident tuition without aid.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want to study nursing in Hawaiʻi with access to the Translational Health Science Simulation Center and partnerships with major local health systems.
- Are prepared for selective BSN admission—or are licensed RNs or graduate students seeking MSN/DNP pathways offered at Mānoa.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a short, mainland-style “second-degree ABSN” label without reviewing GEPN structure—compare GEPN carefully to other accelerated models.
- Require the lowest possible total cost of attendance without exploring Hawaiʻi resident status, UH scholarships, or employer partnerships (nonresident tuition is substantially higher).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Honolulu anchors the Oʻahu healthcare market, with tertiary hospitals, community clinics, public health programs, and neighbor-island outreach. UH Mānoa nursing students connect to this ecosystem through clinical placements and partnerships such as the Translational Health Science Simulation Center collaboration involving HMSA Foundation, Hawaii Pacific Health, The Queen’s Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| The Queen’s Medical Center | Major Honolulu-based tertiary system; named partner in the THSSC collaboration. |
| Hawaii Pacific Health | Multi-hospital network (e.g., Straub, Pali Momi, Wilcox) serving Oʻahu and Kauaʻi; THSSC partner. |
| Kaiser Permanente Hawaii | Integrated delivery system with clinics and hospitals on Oʻahu and neighboring islands; THSSC partner. |
| State & community health | Programs such as Hawaii Keiki illustrate school engagement with public health and school-based care in partnership with the Hawaii Department of Education. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing and dental hygiene students are served from Webster Hall on the Mānoa campus, with advising and student services offices supporting progression through rigorous curricula. The UH Translational Health Science Simulation Center (THSSC) is the flagship simulation environment for nursing skills and interprofessional scenarios. Student life in Honolulu blends campus activities with access to beaches, hiking, and a multicultural city. Confirm active student organizations and nursing-specific student groups on the school website or at orientation.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Honolulu, HI
- Address
- 2528 McCarthy Mall, Webster Hall 402, Honolulu, HI 96822, US
- Telephone
- (808) 956-8522
- Contact email
- nursing@hawaii.edu
- Website
- nursing.hawaii.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit the official University of Hawaii at Manoa nursing website and download the current program brochure or student handbook if available.
- Review the prerequisite course list in the school catalog and compare it to your transcripts.
- If required, register for the TEAS, HESI, or other entrance exam. Confirm on the admissions page which test and minimum scores apply for your target semester.
- Draft a list of questions for an admissions counselor or the nursing program advising office.
- Reach out to current nursing students or alumni (e.g. via LinkedIn) to ask about clinical experiences and satisfaction.
- Begin outlining your personal statement (graduate programs) or prepare interview talking points (pre-licensure applicants).
- Check the application deadline for your target term and set reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Hawaii at Manoa a good school for nursing?
The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene offers CCNE-accredited baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs. School-reported Fast Facts (calendar year 2023) listed strong first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for Traditional BSN and GEPN tracks—confirm newer data on the Fast Facts page and with the Hawaii Board of Nursing (DCCA).
What GPA do you need for University of Hawaii at Manoa nursing?
Traditional BSN admission is holistic; the school has published competitive averages (for example, near a 3.77 combined GPA for a recent Fall cohort). RN-BSN and graduate programs set their own minimums. Confirm current thresholds on your program’s official page.
Does University of Hawaii at Manoa require the TEAS exam?
Yes for the Traditional BSN pathway—the ATI TEAS is part of holistic review. Verify whether other pathways require TEAS or different exams.
How competitive is admission to University of Hawaii at Manoa nursing?
Traditional BSN admission is selective; the school reported roughly an 11% acceptance rate for a recent cohort with hundreds of applicants. GEPN and graduate programs have separate competitiveness—see each program page.
Does University of Hawaii at Manoa offer an accelerated BSN?
UH Mānoa emphasizes the Graduate Entry Program in Nursing (GEPN) for applicants who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree rather than a separate “ABSN” brand. Compare GEPN structure and timeline to other accelerated options on the GEPN page.
What are the clinical placement sites for University of Hawaii at Manoa nursing students?
Clinical learning occurs across hospitals and community settings in Hawaiʻi (commonly including major Honolulu systems and community partners). Exact sites change by semester—confirm the current affiliation list in the student handbook or with the clinical placement office.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for University of Hawaii at Manoa?
According to the school’s Nursing Fast Facts (school-reported, calendar year 2023), first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates were reported as 100% for Traditional BSN and 98% for GEPN. Confirm current rates on Fast Facts and with the Hawaii Board of Nursing annual nursing program reports.
References
- University of Hawaii at Manoa — School of Nursing and Dental Hygienenursing.hawaii.edu
- Nursing Fast Facts (NCLEX & program snapshot)nursing.hawaii.edu/about/fast-facts-nursing
- UH Mānoa — 2024–2025 Regular Tuition Schedulemanoa.hawaii.edu catalog tuition
- Hawaii Board of Nursing — DCCAcca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/nursing
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
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 program-list accuracy, tuition schedule alignment with the UH Mānoa catalog, and NCLEX language consistent with school Fast Facts and Hawaii DCCA sources.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Hawaii Board of Nursing.
Published: Mar 23, 2026· Last reviewed: March 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy