Hawaii Accounting Degree Programs

Hawaii offers natural beauty and a laid-back vibe. The state joins four others that have outlawed billboards (along with Alaska, Maine, and Vermont), and Kauai law prohibits any buildings from being taller than a palm tree.

Hawaii’s Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Research and Statistics Office projects the addition of 41,190 new jobs in the state by 2032. The fastest-growing job sectors are healthcare and social assistance, food services, and accommodations — all of which need accountants. Additionally, the post-pandemic landscape has increased self-employed gig workers, who will need accounting and bookkeeping services.

In a state where tourism services and gig work opportunities predominate, an accounting degree can lead to a career with stability and benefits. Popular Hawaii accounting careers include accountants and auditors, bookkeeping and auditing clerks, and compliance officers.

Explore this page to learn about Hawaii accounting degree programs and requirements for becoming a certified public accountant (CPA).

Hawaii’s accounting system dates back to 1923, when the island chain was still a territory of the United States. Today, accounting consistently ranks among the top 10 majors at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, with about 100 graduates each year. Hawaii’s average annual college graduation rate totals 11,750, and the average graduate of a Hawaii bachelor’s or master’s program most likely has a degree in business.

Hawaii’s colleges and universities offer diverse student populations and a distinctive island culture. While the state has a higher-than-average cost of living, tuition tends to align with the national average.

To help with educational costs, organizations like the Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants (HSCPA) and the Hawaii Association of Public Accountants (HAPA) offer scholarships. Institutions, including the University of Hawaii (UH) system, also offer significant financial aid packages. These organizations also provide networking resources, such as UH’s student clubs, HSCPA’s free student memberships, and HAPA’s Students’ Night.

Graduates can benefit from these and other networking opportunities, particularly people interested in pursuing high-growth positions as accountants, financial analysts, and personal financial advisors.

The table below compares Hawaii’s education statistics with national data. As a small state, Hawaii has just 17 colleges and universities, including 10 four-year institutions and seven two-year colleges.

The percentage of students enrolled in distance learning is just over 10 percentage points higher than the corresponding national enrollment data, indicating that the state welcomes online education. Higher education student appropriations and allocated tax revenue exceed national equivalents.

On average, a higher percentage of adults in Hawaii over age 25 hold associate and bachelor’s degrees than their counterparts nationally. The percentage of graduate degree-holders over age 25 is about equal to the national percentage.

Accrediting bodies conduct regular reviews of institutions and their programs to ensure compliance with education standards. Institutional accrediting organizations assess entire schools, while programmatic accreditation focuses on particular departments or programs. Consider both types of accreditation as you research the state’s offerings.

Hawaii’s primary accrediting body is the Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), though any institutional accreditor can accredit any school following changes to the system in 2020. Look for accounting programs recognized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business or the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, as well.

Course delivery options can help you decide if Hawaii is the right state for your accounting journey. Hawaii’s campuses offer in-person instruction, online learning, and hybrid options. Enrollment in Hawaii is almost equally distributed among each delivery format.

The following program descriptions can guide you toward the type of course format that will serve you best.

Just over 36% of students in Hawaii opt for traditional, in-person instruction. Hawaii’s student bodies are some of the most diverse in the U.S., opening pathways to cultural enrichment. On-campus learning fosters community and can provide networking opportunities within the relatively smaller Hawaiian population base.

On-campus students typically want the college experience of learning in traditional classroom or lecture hall settings. They tend to be collaborative and interested in building face-to-face connections with faculty and classmates.

Online programs allow you to complete assignments from anywhere you have an internet connection. Distance learning may occur synchronously or asynchronously, and some programs may blend both methods into their curriculums.

Synchronous formats require you to log on at specific times to attend class virtually, mirroring the in-person experience with live lectures. Students who benefit from rigid schedules will likely prefer this type of instruction.

Asynchronous learning offers the most flexibility, allowing you to access course materials, such as recorded lectures, at any time. You can interact with instructors and fellow students via message boards and email. To earn your degree this way, you’ll likely need more self-discipline, self-motivation, and time management skills to complete your assignments.

Hybrid learning combines on-campus attendance and distance learning. This type of learning may appeal to you if you enjoy personal interaction but seek the flexibility of virtual classes.

Accounting students in Hawaii can access numerous financial resources to help pay for their degrees. Hawaii’s tuition and fees are slightly higher than the national average for public four-year schools. Private four-year and two-year colleges in the state charge lower tuition and fees than the national average.

While pursuing your accounting degree, you can apply for financial aid such as federal loans, grants, and work-study funding. While loans require repayment, grants do not. Work-study provides a part-time job, allowing you to earn money while earning your degree.

Additional financial assistance includes state loans, grants, and scholarships; school- and major-based scholarships and grants; and private scholarships and loans. Graduate students can apply for fellowships and teaching or research assistantships.

The table above compares Hawaii’s tuition and fee averages with national rates. Students from Pacific Island Jurisdiction/Western States Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) states and territories pay roughly half of the out-of-state tuition rates at UH Manoa. Graduate students at UH Manoa from the same geographical region pay nearly $6,000 less than other non-resident students. UH’s other campuses also participate in the WUE tuition savings program.

Hawaii’s private colleges and universities often charge the same tuition rates for resident and non-resident students, including for online programs. Other schools, such as Kapi’olani Community College, offer non-resident exemption tuition rates for active military stationed in Hawaii.

Hawaii has the highest cost of living among all U.S. states and Puerto Rico, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Hawaii’s overall cost-of-living index for the second quarter of 2025 was 185, indicating that costs for groceries, healthcare, housing, transportation, and utilities were 85% higher than the national baseline average of 100.

Consider cost of living when deciding whether you want to earn your accounting degree in Hawaii. While tuition costs may compare closely to the national average, living expenses do not.

The U.S. Department of Labor reported 1,538,400 accounting jobs nationally in 2022, with a 4.4% projected employment increase from 2022-2032. In Hawaii, accounting jobs totalled 5,180, but its projected employment growth of 6.9% exceeded the national average.

Also on the plus side for Hawaii accountants, incomes generally exceed the state average for all occupations. Two of the Big Four Firms, Deloitte and KPMG, have offices in Honolulu.

This section highlights three popular accounting careers in Hawaii. Compare employment and salary statistics nationally and in Hawaii for various accounting careers, along with their required education levels.

With a few exceptions, Hawaii accounting salaries are lower than the national average. With the high cost of living and tuition rates, you should carefully consider whether earning your accounting degree in Hawaii makes financial sense for your situation.

One of the career paths with an average annual wage that exceeds the national average — payroll clerk — only requires an associate degree for entry. Pair that with two-year college costs that fall below the national average, and a payroll clerk career in Hawaii may be an affordable option.

The average annual salary for tax examiners and collectors also outpaces the national average. Earning a bachelor’s degree and entering this field may be another affordable path, especially with financial aid.

Earning your degree online through a Hawaii accounting program while living in a more affordable state may also benefit some learners.

Before entering an accounting degree program, consider whether you want to become a CPA. CPAs generally earn higher salaries, have access to more job opportunities, and enjoy more professional independence.

Each state has different requirements for CPA certification. Hawaii’s Board of Public Accountancy specifies that you must have: