Best Trade Schools in Hawaii (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Hawaii needs skilled workers to keep homes, hotels, hospitals, and infrastructure running. Trade schools help you learn practical skills fast so you can get job-ready in months, not years; hiring outcomes vary by location and job market. Whether you’re on Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui, or Kauai, you’ll find accredited programs that fit your life.

Many programs connect directly with employers and apprenticeships to help students access opportunities; timelines and outcomes vary by location and job market.

Best Trade Schools in Hawaii

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 10 schools, ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#2

Kapiolani Community College

Honolulu, HI In-state option BOC Score 64.3
Tuition $3,284 in-state / $8,420 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 22.2%
  • Programs offered: 13
  • Annual completions: 290
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,544 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Hawaii Medical College

Honolulu, HI In-state option BOC Score 60.4
Tuition $25,927
Contact
  • 1221 Kapiolani Boulevard Ste. 644 Honolulu, HI 96814-3518
  • (808) 237-5140
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 83.8%
  • Programs offered: 4
  • Annual completions: 148
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $40,730 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Leeward Community College

Pearl City, HI In-state option BOC Score 59.1
Tuition $3,214 in-state / $8,350 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 35.4%
  • Programs offered: 6
  • Annual completions: 208
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $43,818 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Kauai Community College

Lihue, HI In-state option BOC Score 49.7
Tuition $3,252 in-state / $8,388 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 47.5%
  • Programs offered: 9
  • Annual completions: 190
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $49,286 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

University of Hawaii Maui College

Kahului, HI In-state option BOC Score 49.5
Tuition $3,284 in-state / $8,420 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 27.8%
  • Programs offered: 10
  • Annual completions: 161
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,461 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Honolulu Community College

Honolulu, HI In-state option BOC Score 48.2
Tuition $3,174 in-state / $8,310 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 24.8%
  • Programs offered: 16
  • Annual completions: 515
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $71,254 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Hawaii Institute of Hair Design

Honolulu, HI In-state option BOC Score 47.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 82.1%
  • Programs offered: 2
  • Annual completions: 48
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $18,581 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Hawaii Community College

Hilo, HI In-state option BOC Score 33.3
Tuition $3,204 in-state / $8,340 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 32.7%
  • Programs offered: 14
  • Annual completions: 238
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $46,462 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Trade Schools by City in Hawaii

Compare accredited trade schools in 6 Hawaii cities. Each city page lists the closest local schools with tuition, median graduate earnings, and the trades hiring nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trade school in Hawaii?

Honolulu CC is a top choice for electrical, HVAC, welding, automotive, and aeronautics. Hawai’i CC and UH Maui College also deliver strong hands-on training.

Are Hawaii community colleges considered trade schools?

Yes. The UH community colleges offer accredited, career-focused programs that function like trade schools with employer partnerships and job placement support.

What trades are in demand in Hawaii in 2025?

Electricians, HVAC techs, solar PV installers, carpenters, welders, plumbers, medical assistants, CNAs, and facilities maintenance roles are in steady demand.

Hawaii’s trade programs offer practical training, recognized credentials, and direct ties to local employers. Pick a program that matches your goals, get certified, and step into a reliable career.

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)