The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa ranked No. 221 among the nation’s best higher education institutions and No. 100 among public institutions, according to a new ranking by Forbes. Forbes ranked the top 500 schools out of more than 2,630 four-year institutions nationally.
Forbes says its ranking, “spotlights schools that offer an excellent education at a great price, graduate high-earners and propel students to become successful entrepreneurs and influential leaders in their fields.”
The ranking noted the median salary for UH Mānoa graduates with 10 years or more of experience is $101,200, which is higher than other schools, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Portland State University. Forbes also said the average grant aid given per student in 2020–21 is $8,043.
The criteria used to rank schools were:
- Alumni salary (20%)
- Debt (15%)
- Graduation rate (15%)
- Forbes American leaders list (15%)
- Return-on investment (15%)
- Retention rate (10%)
- Academic success (10%)
Record on-time graduation rate
UH Mānoa hit an all-time high in 2021 for its on-time graduation rate with 39.7% of first-time, full-time freshmen earning their degrees in four years. The on-time graduation rate has improved every year since 2006 and has steadily increased from 17% to nearly 40% over the past 11 years.
Related: Record on-time UH Mānoa graduation rate in 2021, February 21, 2022
In addition, UH Mānoa has experienced its highest retention rates over the past three years. UH Mānoa set a record for one-year retention rates for first-time, full-time students in 2019 at 81.1%, compared to 76.9% in 2010.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and significant disruptions to 2020 and 2021 semesters, UH Mānoa has maintained steady rates at 80% in 2020 and 79.7% in 2021.
—By Marc Arakaki
