Enrollment exceeds 51,000 at UH’s 10 campuses, but slightly down at Kauaʻi Community College

Enrollment across the 10 campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi reached 51,411 students this fall, a 2% increase from last fall and the highest enrollment since 2017, the university announced Sunday.

This marks the third consecutive year of growth for Hawaiʻi’s sole provider of public higher education and a 5.1% increase since fall 2023, reversing earlier declines and building momentum across both four-year and two-year campuses.

But Kauaʻi Community College’s enrollment was slightly down .08% from a year ago for a total this fall of 1,324.

Across the 10 campuses, enrollment gains were driven by increases in first-time freshmen across the UH System (up 2.1%), record participation in programs allowing high school students to earn college and/or high school credit (up 6.9% from fall 2024), and rising undergraduate home-based enrollment at UH 4-year campuses.

“Enrollment is one of the strongest indicators of confidence in the value of higher education and our 10 campus system,” UH President Wendy Hensel said in the press release. “I am proud that more Hawaiʻi students are choosing to pursue their degrees with us. This momentum is critical to preparing the state’s future workforce and ensuring opportunities for every student.”

UH fall 2025 enrollment

• UH 10 campus system: 51,411 (+2.0% from fall 2024)
• UH Mānoa: 20,404 (+1.9%)
• UH Hilo: 2,649 (−0.7%)
• UH West Oʻahu:  2,897 (+2.9%)
• UH Community Colleges: 25,461 (+2.2%)
• Hawaiʻi CC: 2,489 (+8.7%)
• Honolulu CC: 3,628 (+8.6%)
• Kapiʻolani CC: 5,704 (−3.6%)
• Kauaʻi CC: 1,324 (−0.8%)
• Leeward CC: 6,210 (−4.0%)
• UH Maui College: 2,997 (+7.3%)
• Windward CC: 3,109 (+12.4%)

Hensel acknowledged challenges that remain, including a 3.5% decline in undergraduate transfer enrollment. She emphasized that UH is prioritizing systemwide solutions to improve the student experience.

“Addressing transfer barriers is one of our top priorities,” she said. “For example, we are working to ensure that online programs available at our community colleges are aligned with online bachelors at our four-year campuses.”

She said she was excited about the adoption of EAB Navigate360 and EAB Edify, which will be fully in place next year.

“These tools will give students support they need, often before they even realize they need it, to ensure they reach their educational goals,” Hensel said.

The technology platforms use predictive analytics built on historical and current student data to proactively alert faculty, advisors and staff at the earliest signs a student may be at risk. The goal is to deliver timely support when it can make the most difference, helping students stay on track, succeed in their studies and graduate.