RN programs in Hawaii

2 RN (registered nurse) programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

2 schools offer these RN programs, and Hawaii has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care and teach patients and their families about health conditions. To work as one, you graduate from an approved nursing program (a bachelor's or associate degree in nursing, or a hospital diploma) and pass a licensing exam for your state nursing license.¹ The exam is the NCLEX-RN from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, which the nursing boards of every state, DC and four US territories use in deciding who gets a license.²

In Hawaii, both programs ask for earlier courses first.

Both are the same kind of program: RN associate degree (ADN).

See the 2 programs

How much do RN programs cost in Hawaii?

$7,860 to $9,432

from the lowest-priced program to the highest, if you pay yourself

These two programs

Finished the program: 87% to 92%
Working 6 months later: 84% to 88%
Earned a year, estimated: about $21,600 to $37,300
Length: 60 to 104 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Hawaii may also offer RN programs. How these figures are made

Are there free RN programs in Hawaii?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.³⁴⁵For a degree, the job center first looks at grants such as a federal Pell Grant; WIOA pays toward what they don't cover.⁵
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁶ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁵
Or pay yourself. These programs cost $7,860 to $9,432.

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 2 RN programs in Hawaii approved for WIOA funding

2 programs

RN associate degree (ADN)In personEducation and courses
Registered Nursing
Kapiolani Community College
Honolulu
Accredited school
Education and courses
Kapiolani Community College, HonoluluRN associate degree (ADN) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$21,600
Price if you pay yourself$9,432
School website, Registered Nursing at Kapiolani Community College
More details about Registered Nursing at Kapiolani Community College
Finished
92%
Working at 6 months
88%
Earned in a quarter
$5,404
Length
60 weeks, 14 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
272
Earned a year, estimated
$21,600
Price if you pay yourself
$9,432
School website, Registered Nursing at Kapiolani Community College
RN associate degree (ADN)In personEducation and courses
Nursing
University of Hawaii - Maui College
Kahului
Accredited school
Education and courses
University of Hawaii - Maui College, KahuluiRN associate degree (ADN) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$37,300
Price if you pay yourself$7,860
More details about Nursing at University of Hawaii - Maui College
Finished
87%
Working at 6 months
84%
Earned in a quarter
$9,319
Length
104 weeks, 5 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
240
Earned a year, estimated
$37,300
Price if you pay yourself
$7,860

How to pay for RN programs in Hawaii

WIOA funding can pay for RN programs in Hawaii

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for RN programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.⁷⁸

GI Bill for RN programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.⁹

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

RN programs in Urban Honolulu, Kahului and other Hawaii cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above.

Other training in Hawaii

How RN programs compare with the rest of nursing and patient care: Nursing and patient care programs in Hawaii

Where the Hawaii RN program numbers come from

Which Hawaii RN programs are on this list?

These are the RN programs Hawaii approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).¹⁰ The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Hawaii offers.

How the prices and results of Hawaii RN programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about RN programs in Hawaii

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