UH at Manoa vs. ASU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, HI with Appalachian State University in Boone, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than UH at Manoa based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 20,028 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Hawaii at Manoa is located in Honolulu, HI (Large City setting); Appalachian State University is in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of Hawaii at Manoa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Hawaii at Manoa 15:1; Appalachian State University 16:1.

UH at Manoa vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH at Manoa or ASU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than UH at Manoa ($14,978 vs. $17,202).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 12.2% lower than at University of Hawaii at Manoa ($12,868 vs. $14,658).
• University of Hawaii at Manoa is 60.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $4,607 more per year; $12,186.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.7% higher at UH at Manoa than at Appalachian State University (about $9,006 more per year; $34,218.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Hawaii at Manoa than at Appalachian State University (66% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Hawaii at Manoa students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($8,039 vs. $8,014).

UH at Manoa vs. ASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UH at Manoa or ASU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ASU and UH at Manoa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 10 points higher than at UH at Manoa (1190).
• Incoming ASU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at UH at Manoa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Manoa 1081/1293; Appalachian State University 1120/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Manoa 17/25; Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH at Manoa - Test optional; ASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UH at Manoa (3.67).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than UH at Manoa (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at UH at Manoa vs. 18.2% at ASU.

UH at Manoa vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH at Manoa and ASU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than University of Hawaii at Manoa's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Hawaii at Manoa earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Hawaii at Manoa graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($18,750 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UH at Manoa graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($193 vs. $211).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH at Manoa students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.