Just days after celebrating 589 graduates at its spring 2026 commencement—including 506 bachelor’s degrees, nearly 200 first-generation college students and a class spanning ages 19 to 79—the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo has been selected as one of 17 rural-serving public universities nationwide to join the inaugural Rural Student Success Network. UH Hilo is the only institution from �鶹��ý and the Pacific region named to the cohort.

The new initiative, led by Ithaka S+R in partnership with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, is aimed at helping more students from rural communities reach that graduation milestone. Funded by a two-year grant from the ECMC (Educational Credit Management Corporation) Foundation’s Rural Impact Initiative, the network brings together bachelor’s-degree-granting, rural-serving institutions from 12 states committed to strengthening student success and economic mobility in the communities they serve.

“Every graduate who crossed our stage this month is proof that rural-serving institutions change lives,” said UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin. “This network gives us a powerful new chance to learn alongside peer institutions and make sure more of our students get the milestone the Class of 2026 just had.”

Focus on transfer students and workforce needs

Over the next 18 months, participating institutions will engage in peer learning, data-informed self-assessment and targeted technical assistance across the network’s three priority areas: helping community college transfer students complete their bachelor’s degrees, re-engaging adult learners and aligning academic programs with regional workforce needs.

UH Hilo will focus on the transfer and workforce tracks—work that naturally encompasses the adult learners returning to finish a degree they once started.

Aligning degrees with �鶹��ý Island careers

Each campus receives a $15,000 subgrant from Ithaka S+R, plus customized analyses comparing academic offerings against local labor market demand. The network’s tailored analysis will examine how UH �ᾱ����’s degree offerings align with employer demand across the island’s healthcare, education, agriculture and sustainability sectors.

“This is about strengthening the bridge between a student starting at a UH Community College and one walking across the UH Hilo stage with a bachelor’s degree,” Irwin said. “It’s about the working parent who left UH Hilo three years ago and is wondering whether they can come back. It’s about making sure the degree we offer is the one our island’s employers are actually hiring for. The work doesn’t change who we are—it sharpens it.”

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa continues to gain national recognition for its scenic campus, most recently being in the top 35 most beautiful colleges in the country by in March 2026.

The publication highlighted campuses that “captivate not only students and faculty but also travelers who appreciate scenic architecture, lush green spaces and unique landmarks.”

The latest honor builds on previous accolades, including a 2025 ranking by Travel + Leisure, which placed UH Mānoa among the 30 most stunning college campuses in the United States.

Natural beauty, unique setting

Spanning 320 acres in Mānoa Valley, UH Mānoa is home to more than 4,000 trees and more than 500 plant species. The campus is recognized as an accredited arboretum—one of only 823 worldwide—and one of just ten in �鶹��ý, along with UH’s . The landscape features a wide range of flora native to �鶹��ý as well as plants from across the Pacific, creating an environment that reflects the university’s unique setting.

“This recognition reflects what our students, faculty and community experience every day at UH Mānoa: a campus where natural beauty, culture and academic excellence come together in a unique way,” said Vassilis L. Syrmos, interim provost for UH Mānoa. “From our diverse arboretum to our historic and modern spaces, UH Mānoa offers an environment that inspires learning, discovery and a deep connection to place.”

U.S. News and World Report also highlighted UH Mānoa’s architecture as a standout feature, including the Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building, which opened in 2020, the iconic �鶹��ý Hall built in 1912, and Andrews Amphitheater, which can accommodate up to 5,500 people and continues to serve as a gathering place for both UH and community events and performances.

Together, these recognitions highlight UH Mānoa’s combination of natural beauty, environmental stewardship and culture, strengthening its standing as one of the nation’s most distinctive campuses.

Ten graduate programs at the are in the nation’s top 50, and an additional 17 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2026 , released on April 7.

UH Mānoa’s (JABSOM) also placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care, and UH �ᾱ����’s ranked in a in the nation.

The highest ranked UH Mānoa programs were in the , ranking No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs.

The ranked No. 22 (tied) for best international programs, and the (SOEST) placed No. 40 (tied) for best Earth sciences programs. JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care.

“UH Mānoa’s strong showing in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings underscores our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and student success,” said UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “These results reflect the talent and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, and �鶹��ý can take pride in knowing their university is preparing the next generation of leaders and changemakers for our community and the world.”

Rankings were based on multiple factors, including research activity (such as publications and citations), student and alumni outcomes (employment and earnings), quality assessments (from peers and recruiters), student selectivity (GPA and test scores), and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student-to-faculty ratios).

Note: not all programs are ranked every year. See these UH News stories on previous years’ rankings: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  John A. Burns School of Medicine  |  Shidler College of Business  |  School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology  |  School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene  |  College of Education  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Social Sciences  |  College of Engineering  |  College of Natural Sciences  |  College of Arts, Languages & Letters

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 16 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs, the �鶹��ýlaw school placed No. 91 (tied) among the top law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• Tax law: No. 80 (tied)
• Criminal law: No. 88 (tied)
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 92 (tied)
• Health care law: No. 92 (tied)
• Constitutional law: No. 95 (tied)
• Business/corporate law: No. 101 (tied)
• Clinical training: No. 102 (tied)
• Intellectual property law: No. 127 (tied)
• Trial advocacy: No. 175 (tied)

John A. Burns School of Medicine

JABSOM was one of 16 schools that placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care. JABSOM also placed in tier 3 for best medical schools for research.
In addition, JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas, No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care, No. 139 for speech language pathology and No. 171 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. .

Shidler College of Business

The Shidler College of Business placed in nine subject areas. Leading the way were international programs at No. 22 (tied), accounting programs at No. 68 (tied), information systems programs at No. 72 (tied) and marketing programs at No. 91 (tied). In addition, Shidler ranked at No. 104 (tied) for best management programs, No. 113 (tied) for best executive programs, No. 123 (tied) for best finance programs, No. 125 (tied) for best entrepreneurship programs and No. 142 (tied) for best part-time MBA programs.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

SOEST placed No. 40 (tied) among the nation’s best Earth sciences programs.

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene placed No. 55 (tied) for best nursing school–master’s and No. 62 (tied) for best nursing school–doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Both were the only programs in �鶹��ý to be ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

College of Education

The College of Education ranked No. 57 (tied) in the U.S., the 21st straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation’s top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, the College of Education continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The ranked No. 89 (tied) among the nation’s top public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The Department of Public Health Sciences offers a ; a , with specializations in , , and , and a , as well as PhD program in , specializing in community-based and translational research and a PhD in . The Department of Public Health Sciences is also home to an online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences placed among the nation’s best in at No. 90 (tied) and at No. 92 (tied).

College of Engineering

The ranked among the nation’s best in at No. 91 (tied), at No. 92 (tied), and at No. 128 (tied). The College of Engineering overall ranked No. 164 (tied) among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

College of Natural Sciences

The placed among the nation’s best in at No. 97 (tied), and at No. 115 (tied), and at No. 125 (tied).

College of Arts, Languages & Letters

UH Mānoa placed No. 106 (tied) among the nation’s best for fine arts programs.

Other rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

Fourteen University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa academic subjects were ranked among the world’s best in the 2026 , released on March 25.

Four subjects placed in the top 22 in the nation and top 100 in the world. Leading the way was geology (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), geophysics (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), Earth and marine sciences (No. 21 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world) and linguistics (No. 22 in the U.S. and No. 61 in the world).

Ten additional subjects placed in the world’s top 2% (within top 500 in the world out of ):

• English language and literature: No. 28 U.S., No. 101–150 world
• Agriculture and forestry: No. 30 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• Anthropology: No. 31 U.S., No. 101–200 world
• Modern languages: No. 41 U.S., No. 251–300 world
• Environmental sciences: No. 66 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Communication and media studies: No. 68 U.S., No. 251–275 world
• Physics and astronomy: No. 70 U.S., No. 401–450 world
• Education: No. 78 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Medicine: No. 99 U.S., No. 451–500 world
• Biological sciences: No. 100 U.S., No. 451–500 world

“These rankings highlight the exceptional work and commitment of our faculty, students and staff,” UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “They showcase the university’s global standing and reinforce that UH Mānoa offers outstanding educational opportunities and experiences for both our local community and those joining us from around the world.”

UH Mānoa was ranked in three broad subject areas and 14 narrow subject areas. The QS World University Rankings by Subject are calculated using five criteria: academic reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs by asking academic experts to nominate universities based on their subject area of expertise), employer reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs among employers), research citations per paper (measures the impact and quality of the scientific work done by institutions, on average per publication), H-index (measures both the productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or scholar) and international research network (measure of an institution’s success in creating and sustaining research partnerships with institutions in other locations).

The 2026 edition of the rankings by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds analyzed the performance of more than 18,300 university programs, taken by students at more than 1,700 universities in 100 locations around the world.

Other rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026
• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026

Five subject areas were placed in the world’s top 1%, and an additional four earned top 2% honors in the 2026 , released on January 21.

Education led the way, ranked in the No. 101–125 tier, followed by physical sciences at No. 126–150, arts and humanities at No. 151–175, and law and life sciences each at No. 201–250. To qualify in the world’s top 1%, rankings must be within the top 250 in the world () UH Mānoa was ranked in all 11 of the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject lists.

“We are proud that UH Mānoa continues to be recognized globally, reflecting our commitment to academic excellence, research and the student experience,” UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “These rankings underscore the hard work and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, who make UH Mānoa a truly exceptional place.”

All UH Mānoa rankings:

• Education studies: No. 101–125
• Physical sciences: No. 126–150
• Arts and humanities: No. 151–175
• Law: No. 201–250
• Life sciences: No. 201–250
• Social sciences: No. 251–300
• Medical and health: No. 301–400
• Psychology: No. 301–400
• Business and economics: No. 401–500
• Computer science: No. 501–600
• Engineering: No. 501–600

Times Higher Education considers the following factors for its rankings: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry income and international outlook. Regarded as one of the leading national and international university rankings focused on research and academic excellence, Times Higher Education considered between 425–1,555 of the top institutions for each of its subject rankings, out of more than 25,000 institutions worldwide, to be eligible for its World University Rankings by Subject.

Other rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 9, 2025
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025

For more information, .

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa has been selected to receive the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, a national designation recognizing higher education institutions for deep, sustained collaboration with their communities. The recognition highlights UH Mānoa’s campus-wide commitment to community partnerships and public service.

Awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the classification places UH Mānoa among 277 institutions nationwide recognized for demonstrating meaningful, institutionalized community engagement.

“Gathering the materials and writing the narrative for our application, which took a team of people over a year to put together, was truly inspiring and honors the ongoing work of so many faculty, students and staff,” said Laura Lyons, interim vice provost for academic excellence. “The number and range of projects, both curricular and co-curricular, that work with our partners to better our community is truly impressive.”

Serving �鶹��ý

UH Mānoa’s application highlighted how community engagement is embedded across campus culture and operations, from leadership priorities to academic programs, research and service initiatives. Reviewers noted the university’s clear alignment of mission and practice, along with concrete examples of long-standing, reciprocal relationships with community partners.

UH Mānoa has more than 500 community partnerships that allow 87% of its degree granting departments to offer community engagement learning opportunities as part of the curriculum. According to the 2025 National Survey of Student Engagement, 62% of first-year students and 64% of seniors at UH Mānoa had community engagement opportunities in one or more classes, percentages well above peer institutions.

Meeting the moment

The designation comes at a pivotal moment for higher education, amid shifting federal policy and funding landscapes. According to the Carnegie Foundation, institutions recognized in this cycle showed strong alignment between mission, leadership, resources and practices, while addressing urgent societal challenges through authentic partnerships.

The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is not a ranking, but a rigorous, evidence-based recognition process that requires institutions to document how engagement is supported, assessed and sustained over time. The designation is valid through 2032, after which UH Mānoa will be eligible to seek reclassification to retain its status.

The earned high marks in nearly 20 academic subjects in the , with , and leading the way among the highest-ranked programs.

Oceanography ranked No. 5 in the U.S. and No. 7 in the world, atmospheric science placed No. 8 nationally and No. 11 worldwide, and hospitality and tourism management ranked No. 12 in the U.S. and No. 32 in the world.

The rankings were released by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy and is considered one of the most comprehensive and objective assessments of university performance by discipline.

UH Mānoa also posted strong global and national placements across science, engineering, social science and other fields. tied for No. 17 in the U.S. and ranked No. 51–75 worldwide, while ecology and each tied for No. 24 nationally and placed No. 76–100 globally.

Additional UH Mānoa subjects recognized in the 2025 rankings include communication, education, political science, water resources, biological sciences, civil engineering, food science and technology, environmental science and engineering, agricultural sciences, economics, management and physics.

“These rankings reflect the depth and consistency of excellence at UH Mānoa,” Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “Our faculty are advancing research that matters locally and globally, while preparing students to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our world.”

UH Mānoa was evaluated alongside approximately 2,000 universities from more than 100 countries and regions, selected from a global pool of more than 25,000 institutions. The rankings are based on measures such as world-class faculty, world-class research output, high-quality research, research impact and international collaboration.

Other recent rankings:

• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 9, 2025
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025

For more information, .

—By Marc Arakaki

Two University of �鶹��ý campuses, and , have been awarded a combined $125,000 from , the charitable foundation established by Metallica, to fuel workforce education in high-demand technical fields. The grants are part of the national Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI), which supports community colleges across the country in expanding access to hands-on learning and career pathways.

Leeward CC: Mechatronics scholarships and rock-themed workshops

Leeward CC received a $75,000 grant to accelerate student success in its new Mechatronics Associate in Science (AS) program & introduce residents to advanced manufacturing careers.

• $45,000 will fund scholarships for 21 first-year Mechatronics students, covering tuition & textbooks across two semesters.
• $30,000 will support Rock-the-Lab workshops, engaging 75 community members in hands-on activities that connect music and mechatronics. Participants will learn about sound-to-light controllers, robotic drumming, & CNC “backstage” fabrications.

“This support helps our students stay on track and gives our community a powerful, hands-on first look at modern manufacturing,” said Bill Labby, mechatronics program coordinator at Leeward CC.

“The Metallica Scholars grant amplifies what community colleges do best—open doors, remove barriers, and connect talent to opportunity,” said Carlos Penaloza, chancellor of Leeward CC.

Honolulu CC: MELE & AERO programs take flight

Honolulu CC, a Metallica Scholars college since 2024, was awarded $50,000 in its second year of funding to support students in two dynamic programs:

• MELE (Music & Entertainment Learning Experience): 28 students in MELE 101 will receive funding.
• AERO (Aeronautics Maintenance Technology): 21 second-year students will benefit.

Each of the 49 students will receive $400 in Fall 2025 and $400 in Spring 2026, helping offset costs & keep them focused on building careers in music production and aviation maintenance.

“Having funding was really nice, especially for something that I love, which is music,” said William Nicolas, Honolulu CC MELE student and Metallica Scholars recipient, “I know there are so many opportunities in the MELE program. Metallica are literally heroes; it is crazy to have that connection to them! I grew up listening to them, it is surreal to have something like this happen.”

Metallica Scholars Initiative

All Within My Hands, the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, recently announced its Year 7 of its Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) with its largest grant to date, totaling approximately $3 million. MSI now has a presence in 75 colleges across all 50 U.S. and the territory of Guam, and is expected to reach approximately 10,000 students.

The Metallica Scholars grant amplifies what community colleges do best—open doors, remove barriers, and connect talent to opportunity.
—Carlos Penaloza, Leeward CC chancellor

Robert Trujillo, Metallica band member, stated “I could not be any prouder of our Metallica Scholars. We know that our country needs millions of skilled tradespeople, and it warms my heart to know that our Foundation’s efforts are making a positive impact and putting hard-working people on the path to careers in the trades. Whether it’s a school visit or a meet and greet before a show, there is no better feeling than meeting our Metallica Scholars in person and hearing their stories of grit and determination firsthand, along with their pride and commitment. It is truly inspiring. To think we started with a few schools and a couple hundred students, and we’re now in 75 schools nationwide, about to reach 10,000 students. It’s just incredible.”

Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges, MSI began with 10 colleges focused primarily on manufacturing programs. The workforce initiative has since expanded to offer opportunities in diverse fields for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to establish meaningful careers that provide family-sustaining wages.

For more information, visit the AWMH, .

The University of �鶹��ý Community College System and UH Maui College have earned a significant collection of awards from Region 6 of the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR), in recognition of outstanding work in branding and community engagement.

The UH Community Colleges received two awards for its “Native HI” video series, broadcast during the widely watched Merrie Monarch festival. Produced in partnership with Hyperspective Studios, the system office earned a gold Medallion Award for the paid television series featuring Kapiʻolani CC, Kauaʻi CC and UH Maui College, and a silver Medallion Award for a video short series highlighting Kapiʻolani CC, Leeward CC and UH Maui College.

“These regional Medallion Awards affirm the outstanding quality of our marketing and public relations work across the UH Community College System,” said UH Interim Vice President for Community Colleges Della Teraoka. “The ‘Native HI’ video series is a powerful tool for showcasing the transformational journeys of Native Hawaiian students across our campuses and how higher education became a catalyst for hope, success and personal growth.”

Maui Gold

In further recognition of UH excellence, the in-house marketing and communications team at UH Maui College won gold and silver awards for their exceptional creativity and expertise.

The gold award was presented for the design of the college’s printed recruitment brochure, which was created to reflect the high quality and diverse offerings available at UH Maui College.

Chancellor Lui Hokoana said, “This award-winning brochure significantly supports our outreach, not just to degree-seeking students, but to every member of our community seeking learning opportunities and support.”

The silver award recognized a shirt design for strengthening the college’s brand through the powerful integration of sense of place. The design utilized the visual patterns from monument signs at the main campus, connecting the campus, its outreach centers on Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, and the UH System as a whole.

“Getting these awards is a huge honor, but the real credit goes to the amazing faculty, staff and leadership here at UH Maui College who make my job easy,” said Marc Antosch, who leads the design and marketing team. “Our main focus is to make sure everyone knows about the awesome opportunities we have right here on Maui and at our outreach centers.”

National competition ahead

NCMPR is the only organization of its kind dedicated exclusively to representing marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges across the nation. The organization’s 2025 Paragon Awards will be announced in January.

In March, the UH Community Colleges marketing campaign highlighting exciting career and technical education programs received top national honors: a gold 2024 Paragon Award from the NCMPR for Best TV/Video Advertisement (Series).

Five University of �鶹��ý campuses—UH Mānoa, �鶹��ý Community College, Windward Community College, UH Maui College and Honolulu Community College—have been featured in on October 21.

The guide profiles 388 colleges that foster a culture of environmental responsibility and demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability.

“We are continuously growing sustainability across UH’s planning and operations,” said Miles Topping, UH Office of Sustainability director. “These efforts have been ongoing for many years and getting recognized is reinforcement that this is the right thing to do. We will continue to work with departments, students, agencies, and utilities to advance sustainability through engagement, outreach, planning and projects, and continue leading by example.”

The Princeton Review chose the colleges based on a 2024–2025 survey of administrators at 401 colleges about their institutions’ sustainability-related policies, practices and programs. The company also surveyed students attending the colleges about their “green” campus experiences. The school selections were based on more than 25 data points from the surveys.

“It’s great to see UH Mānoa recognized for its sustainability efforts across the spectrum of academics and campus life,” said Makena Coffman, UH Mānoa director for the institute of sustainability and resilience. “Sustainability is a focal point for UH Mānoa curriculum, and it’s been so rewarding to see the rapid growth in student engagement.”

Of the more than 7,000 students the company polled for its 2025 College Hopes & Worries Survey, 59% said having information about a college’s commitment to the environment would affect their decision to apply to or attend the school.

The profiles in the Guide to Green Colleges detail the schools’ uses of renewable energy, their recycling and conservation programs, and the availability of environmental studies in their academic offerings. The guide also provides a “Green Rating” for each school on a scale of 60 to 99.

Campus distinctions:

• UH Mānoa received a Green Rating of 82.
• �鶹��ý CC received a Green Rating of 84.
• Windward CC received a Green Rating of 81.
• UH Maui College received a Green Rating of 84.
• Honolulu CC received a Green Rating of 85.

The Princeton Review has published its Guide to Green Colleges annually since 2010.

The ranks in the top 2% out of all colleges and universities worldwide, according to the 2026 released on October 9. The recognition highlights UH Mānoa’s strength in academic quality, research productivity and other key measures of excellence.

This recognition positions UH’s flagship campus as the No. 63 ranked university in the country. Globally, the university stands in the No. 251–300 tier, an exceptional achievement considering there are (top 500 qualifies as the world’s top 2%).

“Earning a place among the world’s top universities reflects the depth of talent and collaboration across our campus,” UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “Our faculty, students and staff are advancing discoveries that matter locally and globally, and these rankings affirm the impact of that work. What truly sets UH Mānoa apart is our ability to merge world-class research with the perspectives and values of �鶹��ý and the Pacific.”

Times Higher Education, which produces these rankings annually, is one of the leading international university rankings organizations. To qualify for these rankings, Times Higher Education first determined the top 171 U.S. universities and top 2,191 universities worldwide.

Rankings criteria

Times Higher Education evaluated 17 indicators in its rankings:

• Teaching (the learning environment): 29.5% (teaching reputation: 15%, staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%, doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2%, doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 5.5% and institutional income: 2.5%)
• Research environment: 29% (research reputation: 18%, research income: 5.5% and research productivity: 5.5%)
• Research quality: 30% (citation impact: 15%, research strength: 5%, research excellence: 5% and research influence: 5%)
• International outlook: 7.5% (proportion of international students: 2.5%, proportion of international staff: 2.5% and international collaboration: 2.5%)
• Industry: 4% (industry income: 2% and patents: 2%)

Other rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S., October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025
• The Princeton Review’s 2026 edition of “The Best 391 Colleges” guide, August 13, 2025
• 2025 World University Rankings for Innovation, July 24, 2025
• 2026 QS World University Rankings, June 19, 2025

For more information on rankings, see the .

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa climbed 62 spots to No. 240 overall in the , released September 29. This year’s list included 584 universities nationwide, and UH Mānoa placed No. 97 among public universities.

UH News story: Related Wall Street Journal: UH Mānoa is one of nation’s best colleges

As the flagship campus of the 10-campus UH system, the university received strong marks for diversity (84) and above-average scores in learning environment and student outcomes. UH Mānoa’s affordability was also highlighted, with an average net price of $13,181, a $31,504 value added to graduate salaries, and an estimated 1 year and 8 months for students to pay off the net price of their degree.

“This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff to supporting student success while advancing discovery and opportunity across �鶹��ý,” said UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos. “Moving up in a national ranking like this is encouraging, but even more important to us are the student outcomes behind the numbers: stronger graduation rates, meaningful career preparation and the affordability that helps our graduates start their careers with less debt.”

The 2026 rankings incorporated survey responses from about 120,000 students and recent alumni.

Leading in research, innovation

While the WSJ rankings focus on student outcomes, learning environment and diversity, it does not account for research activity, an area in which UH Mānoa continues to excel.

The university brought in a record $570.4 million in extramural funding in fiscal year 2025 and was ranked No. 92 out of 660 research institutions in the U.S., according to released in January 2025.

The (UROP) further supports UH Mānoa’s mission by connecting students across disciplines with mentored research and creative projects.

National and global recognition

The WSJ ranking adds to a string of national and international accolades for UH Mānoa this year, including high marks in U.S. News and World Report, QS World University Rankings, The Princeton Review and recognition for innovation and global impact.

The University of �鶹��ý’s three 4-year universities earned national recognition in the U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings released on September 23, including four top 10 regional rankings for UH West Oʻahu.

, and were ranked among the top 4-year institutions by U.S. News and World Report out of based on up to 17 measures (depending on ranking category) of academic quality, including graduation and retention rates, peer assessments, financial resources and student excellence.

“These rankings reflect the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students across all three UH 4-year campuses,” UH President Wendy Hensel said. “They show that we are continuing to provide �鶹��ý students with a high-quality, affordable education while preparing them to lead in their communities and beyond.”

The flagship campus of the UH System ranked No. 92 as a top U.S. public university; No. 122 for best colleges for veterans; No. 169 overall in the country; and No. 189 in social mobility, which measures how well schools graduated students who were federal Pell Grant recipients.

The came in at No. 109 among the best undergraduate business programs out of 533 ranked undergraduate business programs.

The is the No. 118 best undergraduate nursing program among 686 ranked undergraduate nursing programs.

The in the ranked No. 139 for best undergraduate economics programs in the nation.

The placed No. 150 among the best undergraduate engineering programs that offer doctoral degrees in the country.

The in the ranked as the No. 177 best undergraduate computer science program out of 601 ranked programs.

The in the ranked No. 196 out of the top 682 best undergraduate psychology programs in the nation.

UH Hilo ranked No. 178 as a top U.S. public university, No. 204 for social mobility and No. 329 overall among the top 434 national universities—a classification based on offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, emphasizing research, as explained in the rankings categories below.

UH �ᾱ����’s is the No. 186 best undergraduate nursing program in the country, the placed No. 254 among the 533 best undergraduate business programs, and the ranked No. 297 out of the best 682 undergraduate psychology programs.

UH West Oʻahu ranked No. 3 for best public colleges in the West, No. 3 for best colleges for veterans among regional colleges in the West, No. 8 overall among regional colleges in the West (two spots higher than last year and five spots higher than the year prior) and No. 8 for social mobility for regional colleges in the West (five spots higher than last year and 13 spots higher than the year prior).

Ranking categories

UH Mānoa and UH Hilo were ranked in the national universities category, which featured institutions that offer a full range of undergraduate majors, master’s and doctoral programs, and emphasize faculty research or award professional practice doctorates.

UH West Oʻahu is in the regional colleges in the West category, which includes schools that focus on undergraduate education and grant fewer than 50% of their degrees in liberal arts disciplines.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa has once again been recognized for its natural beauty, this time by House Beautiful magazine. UH Mānoa ranked among the “40 Most Stunning College Campuses in the World,” landing at No. 27 on the list.

the feature praised universities worldwide for their architecture, history and inspiring settings, from ivy-covered walls to sleek modern designs.

“These locations are nothing short of extraordinary…they create an atmosphere of inspiration, creativity, and culture that elevates the student experience,” the article noted.

The magazine highlighted the East-West Center Japanese garden, adjoining Imin Center and Jefferson Hall as one of the campus’s most breathtaking features.

UH Mānoa was also recently named one of America’s most beautiful college campuses by Travel + Leisure magazine in its June issue.

Recent rankings

In case you missed it, UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• The Best 391 Colleges by The Princeton Review, August 13, 2025
• 2025 World University Rankings for Innovation, July 24, 2025
• 2026 QS World University Rankings, June 19, 2025
• 2025 Global 2000 list by the Center for World University Rankings, June 2, 2025
• 2025 Carnegie Classifications, April 24, 2025

The is one of the nation’s best colleges and universities, according to The Princeton Review’s 2026 edition of “” guide, released on August 12.

The rankings are solely based on its surveys of college students about their schools. The schools included in the “The Best 391 Colleges” of 2026 are not ranked from No. 1–No. 389, and feature the top approximately 15% of four-year colleges in the U.S.

In addition, The Princeton Review placed UH Mānoa as one of the top 79 colleges in the west.

“What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it’s based on our students’ own experiences,” said UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “Their voices reflect the vibrant learning environment, strong sense of community and unique opportunities they find at UH Mānoa.”

In October 2024, The Princeton Review also named UH Mānoa one of the nation’s top “green” colleges, which recognizes the most environmentally responsible schools.

High marks for law school

The has been No. 1 for Most Diverse Faculty in The Princeton Review’s “” rankings. This national recognition underscores the strength of the law school’s faculty and its ongoing commitment to excellence in legal education rooted in �鶹��ý’s unique history, values and place in the Pacific.

The UH law school was also named No. 5 Best for State and Local Clerkships and No. 5 Most Chosen By Older Students, further affirming its reputation for meaningful career preparation and support across a wide range of student backgrounds and goals.

The Princeton Review evaluates , including institutional data and student survey responses, to compile its annual Best Law Schools lists.

More about ‘The Best 391 Colleges’

The Princeton Review collected 170,000 surveys of students at the schools in The Best 391 Colleges (about 435 per school on average). The surveys were conducted in 2024–25 and/or the previous two academic years. The 98-question survey asked students to rate their professors, administrators, financial aid, campus amenities, school services and other aspects of life at their colleges on a five-point scale, and to report on their experiences at them.

“The colleges we profile in our ‘Best Colleges’ book are a truly select group. They constitute only about 15% of America’s nearly 2,400 four-year institutions,” said Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review and the book’s lead author. “While they vary by locale, type, size and campus culture, each one offers its students an academically outstanding undergraduate education. In our opinion, they are the nation’s best undergraduate colleges and ideal choices for students seeking their ‘best-fit’ college. The colleges that make our ranking lists do so entirely as a result of their own students’ opinions of them.”

Recent rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 World University Rankings for Innovation, July 24, 2025
• 2026 QS World University Rankings, June 19, 2025
• 2025 Global 2000 list by the Center for World University Rankings, June 2, 2025
• 2025 Carnegie Classifications, April 24, 2025

The has earned national and international recognition for its innovative efforts in securing funding for sustainability.

In the (WURI), UH Mānoa was ranked No. 4 in the U.S. and No. 28 globally in the “Funding for Sustainability” category, which recognizes universities that adopt a variety of innovative strategies to secure long-term financial support for sustainability-focused initiatives.

“UH Mānoa’s placement in the WURI rankings reflects its ongoing commitment to building a resilient and sustainable future through strategic innovation,” UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos said. “In a time when national research funding is facing increased scrutiny and potential cuts, this recognition underscores the critical importance of our faculty, staff, students and partners who are developing creative, impactful funding strategies to advance sustainability for �鶹��ý and the world.”

The WURI rankings evaluate how higher education institutions make real-world contributions to industry and society. WURI highlights creative and forward-thinking approaches across 16 categories, including social responsibility, entrepreneurial innovation and ethical impact. It recognizes institutions that develop stable funding models and align their financial resources with long-term environmental and societal goals.

Recent rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 QS World University Rankings, June 19, 2025
• 2025 Global 2000 list by the Center for World University Rankings, June 2, 2025
• 2025 Carnegie Classifications, April 24, 2025
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings, April 8, 2025

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa has been named one of America’s most beautiful college campuses by Travel + Leisure Magazine.

UH Mānoa is among the magazine’s released in June 2025 that, according to Travel + Leisure, “captivate not only students and faculty but also travelers who appreciate scenic architecture, lush green spaces, and unique landmarks.”

The flagship campus of the state’s 10 campus public higher education system spans 320 acres and features more than 4,000 trees and 500 plant species.

UH Mānoa is one of only 823 accredited arboreta worldwide, and one of just two in �鶹��ý along with UH’s , recognized by and the Morton Arboretum for its landscape and botanical diversity.

The campus is also a 16-time Tree Campus USA, awarded by for its commitment to effective urban forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals.

Not just a beautiful campus

UH Mānoa is also consistently ranked among the best universities in the world.

A few weeks after the Travel + Leisure Magazine list was released, ranked the campus No. 77 among U.S. institutions () and No. 546 globally (), placing it in the top 2.2% worldwide and the top 3% nationally.

QS was just the latest higher education ranking service that recognized UH Mānoa’s academic excellence in 2025. Others include the 2025 Global 2000 list by the Center for World University Rankings released June 2, the 2025 Carnegie Classifications that came out on April 24 and the 2025 U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings issued on April 8.

The continues to earn a place among the top universities worldwide for academic, research, faculty and sustainability excellence, according to the 2026 edition of the released June 19 by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

UH Mānoa ranked No. 77 among U.S. institutions () and No. 546 globally (). This places UH’s flagship campus in the top 2.2% worldwide and the top 3% nationally.

“This ranking reflects UH Mānoa’s commitment to providing a world-class education and conducting impactful research,” UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno said. “It celebrates the hard work of our faculty, students and staff who continually elevate the university’s impact locally and globally.”

QS rated universities on the following criteria: academic reputation (30%), citations per faculty (20%), employer reputation (15%), faculty student ratio (10%), international faculty (5%), international students (5%), sustainability (5%), employment outcomes (5%) and international research network (5%).

In its 2025 World University Rankings by Subject released in March, QS also awarded high marks to more than 20 UH Mānoa programs. Leading the way was linguistics, which earned a No. 11 ranking in the U.S. and No. 40 ranking in the world. Library and information management (No. 17 U.S., No. 51–100 world) and Earth and marine sciences (No. 20 U.S., No. 51–100 world) also placed within the top 100 in the world. See this UH News story for more.

Recent rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 Global 2000 list by the Center for World University Rankings, June 2, 2025
• 2025 Carnegie Classifications, April 24, 2025
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings, April 8, 2025

The placed in the top 2.6% out of more than 20,000 worldwide universities, according to the , released on June 2. The flagship campus of the UH System placed No. 140 among the top universities in the U.S., and No. 553 out of 21,462 ranked worldwide universities.

“Being recognized among the top universities in the world reflects the dedication of our faculty, students and staff,” UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno said. “Our commitment to advancing knowledge and serving our community continues to resonate far beyond our islands.”

Four key objective pillars were analyzed for the rankings—education, employability, faculty and research. The center used seven objective and outcome-based indicators grouped into four areas to rank the world’s universities:

Education: Based on the academic success of a university’s alumni, measured relative to the university’s size (25%)

Employability: Based on the professional success of a university’s alumni, measured relative to the university’s size (25%)

Faculty: Measured by the number of faculty members who have received top academic distinctions (10%)

Research:

• Research output: measured by the total number of research articles (10%)
• High-quality publications: measured by the number of research articles appearing in top-tier journals (10%)
• Influence: measured by the number of research articles appearing in highly-influential journals (10%)
• Citations: measured by the number of highly-cited research articles (10%)

Surveys and university data submissions did not factor in the rankings. The center said that equal emphasis was put on student and faculty indicators, and that 74 million outcome-based data points were used. The Center for World University Rankings is a leading organization that publishes trusted global university rankings and provides strategic advice to improve education and research outcomes. For more on the methodology, .

—By Marc Arakaki

All 10 University of �鶹��ý campuses have been recognized in the . Released April 24 by the Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education, the new classifications reflect a multi-year effort to create a more relevant and complete view of higher education institutions across the country. The redesign aims to better inform students, policymakers, researchers and funders by focusing on what colleges and universities actually do and whom they serve.

UH Mānoa

was designated “Mixed Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Large” in the new institutional classification, placing it among only 107 institutions—or 3% of U.S. colleges and universities—with a broad range of degree offerings across many academic fields and a student population of more than 20,000. In addition, UH Mānoa earned a “Higher Access, Medium Earnings” designation in the first-ever student access and earnings classification. The new framework measures how well institutions enroll students from historically underrepresented backgrounds and how former students perform in the job market eight years after entry, compared to peers in their region. UH Mānoa exceeded the national benchmark for access.

“These updated classifications do more than rank us in relation to our peers—they offer a more complete picture of who we are and who we serve,” UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno said. “UH Mānoa’s recognition affirms our commitment to our mission as a leading research university and an engine of opportunity for students across �鶹��ý and the Pacific.”

UH Mānoa’s new classifications build on its top-tier “R1: Very High Research Activity” designation announced in February. That status, based on more than $313 million in research expenditures and 166 research doctorates awarded, affirms the university’s position as a major research institution.

UH West Oʻahu

institutional classification was designated as “Professions-focused Baccalaureate Medium,” meaning that the majority of degrees are awarded in fields that are classified as pre-professional or career-aligned. This designation includes 53 institutions nationwide and replaces UH West Oʻahu’s previous designation of Baccalaureate Diverse Fields. Along with UH Mānoa, UH West Oʻahu also earned a “Higher Access, Medium Earnings” in the first-ever student access and earnings classification.

UH Hilo

was designated “Special Focus: Arts and Sciences” in the institutional classification, which includes institutions that award at least 50% of their degrees in academic programs in the humanities, arts and social sciences as well as generalized sciences. Like UH Mānoa and UH West Oʻahu, UH Hilo also earned a “Higher Access, Medium Earnings” in the student access and earnings classification.

UH Community Colleges

was classified in the institutional classification designation as “Special Focus: Applied and Career Studies,” which refers to institutions where the majority of degrees are in hands-on, career-oriented fields that prepare students for practical, skilled or technical work.

and were both classified in the institutional classification designation as “Mixed Associate Medium,” and , , and were classified in the institutional classification designation as “Mixed Associate Small.” Mixed Associate Medium and Mixed Associate Small institutions are colleges where fewer than 50% of degrees are awarded in any one field and are further differentiated by size, with medium enrolling between 4,000 and 20,000 total students and small enrolling between 500 and 4,000, reflecting the varied sizes of institutions offering a broad range of associate-level degrees.

All community colleges were recognized for enrolling students who reflect the demographics of their communities, especially in terms of Pell Grant recipients and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. A majority of the campuses also earned the “medium earnings” classification, highlighting their role in serving low-income and underrepresented students while achieving moderate post-graduation earnings for their graduates—underscoring the significant role campuses play in impacting social and economic mobility.