U of U vs UH Manoa

Nestled in the heart of Salt Lake City, the University of Utah and the University of Hawaii at Manoa, situated in the vibrant city of Honolulu, stand as two distinct academic powerhouses with unique offerings. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects. The University of Utah boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. In contrast, the University of Hawaii at Manoa has a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process. Furthermore, the two universities offer diverse academic programs, with the University of Utah excelling in fields like engineering and business, while the University of Hawaii at Manoa shines in areas such as marine biology and Hawaiian studies. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these institutions, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey.

	University of Hawaii at Manoa	University of Utah
Overview
Location	Honolulu, Hawaii	Salt Lake City, Utah
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	80.0%	87.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	70.0%	95.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $100	Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $55
SAT range	1080 - 1290	1180 - 1390
ACT range	20 - 27	22 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	3.0%	13.0%
Students submitting ACT score	6.0%	54.0%
Total number of applicants	19,607	18,302
Total number of admissions given out	13,721	17,381
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,939	5,361
Yield rate	21.4%	30.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $29,920 Out of state: $51,952	In state: $26,579 Out of state: $46,031
Average net price	$14,825	$12,972
Tuition	In state: $11,304 Out of state: $33,336	In state: $7,749 Out of state: $27,201
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,301 Meal plan: $5,740	Room/dormitory: $5,997 Meal plan: $4,665
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	71.0% Average amount $7,986	86.0% Average amount $9,431
Students receiving federal student loan	28.0% Average amount $4,882	19.0% Average amount $7,729
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $15,150	4.0% Average amount $19,449

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	14,120 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%	25,826 Men 51.8% Women 48.2%
Graduate students	4,978 Men 37.8% Women 62.2%	8,638 Men 49.9% Women 50.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	45.8%	39.6%
International students	6.4%	8.5%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	3,272	6,250
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Hawaii California Washington Colorado Oregon	Utah California Colorado Idaho Washington

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Education Health Professions Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Business Health Professions Social Sciences Engineering Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	58.9%	67.2%
Dropout rate	37.8%	25.0%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,132 Year 2: $100,404 Year 3: $108,069 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,721 Year 2: $70,710 Year 3: $86,326 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,904 Year 2: $78,719 Year 3: $78,917 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,009 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $78,040 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,964 Year 2: $65,557 Year 3: $77,099 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,810 Year 2: $60,771 Year 3: $74,485 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $62,647 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $70,269 Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $59,804 Year 2: $58,856 Year 3: $69,738 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,892 Year 2: $63,600 Year 3: $67,721 Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $61,728 Year 3: $66,155	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $93,022 Year 2: $104,192 Year 3: $126,415 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,759 Year 2: $98,213 Year 3: $112,201 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $96,943 Year 2: $100,213 Year 3: $111,490 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,996 Year 2: $76,998 Year 3: $93,342 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,226 Year 2: $74,307 Year 3: $88,739 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,036 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $84,431 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,451 Year 2: $67,995 Year 3: $81,580 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $65,753 Year 2: $60,689 Year 3: $75,773 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,225 Year 2: $65,894 Year 3: $73,917 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,458 Year 2: $54,035 Year 3: $72,228

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in location and campus environment between the University of Utah and the University of Hawaii at Manoa?

The University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, offering a vibrant urban environment with access to outdoor recreation like skiing and hiking in the nearby Wasatch Mountains. The campus is situated at the foothills, providing scenic views. In contrast, the University of Hawaii at Manoa is located in Honolulu, Hawaii, offering a tropical island setting with a focus on ocean-related activities and a more relaxed pace of life. The campus is lush and green, reflecting its tropical environment.
How do the academic strengths of the University of Utah and the University of Hawaii at Manoa compare?

The University of Utah is known for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, medicine, and business. It has a growing reputation in research and technology. The University of Hawaii at Manoa excels in areas like oceanography, marine biology, astronomy, Hawaiian studies, and Asian studies, leveraging its unique location and resources. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, but their areas of specialization differ significantly.
What is the cost of attendance difference between the University of Utah and the University of Hawaii at Manoa, especially for out-of-state students?

Generally, the University of Utah tends to have a lower overall cost of attendance, especially for out-of-state students, compared to the University of Hawaii at Manoa. However, costs can vary depending on the specific program, financial aid received, and residency status. It's crucial to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, as well as scholarship opportunities.
How do the student demographics and campus culture differ between the two universities?

The University of Utah's student body is primarily composed of students from Utah and surrounding states, creating a more regional feel. The campus culture is influenced by its location in Salt Lake City and its proximity to outdoor activities. The University of Hawaii at Manoa has a more diverse student body, with a significant representation of students from Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, Asia, and the mainland United States. The campus culture reflects Hawaii's multicultural heritage and emphasizes community and aloha spirit.
What research opportunities are available at the University of Utah versus the University of Hawaii at Manoa?

The University of Utah offers extensive research opportunities in areas like biomedical engineering, genetics, and scientific computing, often partnering with local tech companies and medical institutions. The University of Hawaii at Manoa provides unique research opportunities related to the Pacific Ocean, including marine biology, oceanography, and climate change, as well as research in astronomy at the Mauna Kea Observatories. Both universities are research institutions, but their research focus is shaped by their geographic location and institutional strengths.
How do the career opportunities and internship prospects differ for graduates of the University of Utah and the University of Hawaii at Manoa?

Graduates from the University of Utah have strong career prospects in the growing tech industry in Salt Lake City and the surrounding area, as well as in healthcare and business. Internship opportunities are readily available in these sectors. Graduates from the University of Hawaii at Manoa find opportunities in tourism, hospitality, marine science, government, and education within Hawaii and the Pacific region. Internship opportunities often focus on these industries. Your career path will likely be influenced by the location of each university.
What is the student-faculty ratio and average class size at each university?

The University of Utah has a student-faculty ratio of around 17:1, while the University of Hawaii at Manoa has a student-faculty ratio of approximately 12:1. Average class sizes can vary depending on the department and course level, but generally, the University of Hawaii at Manoa may offer slightly smaller class sizes, potentially leading to more personalized attention from professors.
How do the University of Utah and the University of Hawaii at Manoa compare in terms of campus housing and student life?

Both universities offer a range of on-campus housing options, including dormitories and apartments. The University of Utah's campus housing is more integrated with the urban environment of Salt Lake City, while the University of Hawaii at Manoa's housing reflects the island lifestyle. Student life at the University of Utah is characterized by a strong sense of community and involvement in outdoor activities. At the University of Hawaii at Manoa, student life is heavily influenced by Hawaiian culture and traditions, with a focus on community engagement and a relaxed atmosphere.
What are the admission requirements and acceptance rates for the University of Utah and the University of Hawaii at Manoa?

Admission requirements for both universities typically include a strong academic record, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may apply), and letters of recommendation. The University of Utah generally has a higher acceptance rate compared to the University of Hawaii at Manoa. It's important to check the official websites for the most current admission requirements and average GPA/test scores of admitted students.
How do the athletic programs and school spirit compare at the University of Utah and the University of Hawaii at Manoa?

The University of Utah is a member of the Pac-12 Conference and has a strong athletic program, particularly in football and basketball, fostering a high level of school spirit. The University of Hawaii at Manoa is a member of the Mountain West Conference and has a strong following for its football, volleyball, and basketball teams. Both universities have passionate fan bases, but the University of Utah's participation in a Power Five conference often leads to greater national exposure for its athletic programs.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.