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Hawaii Community College
Hilo, Hawaii · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 1175 Manono Street, Hilo, HI 96720 · Phone: (808) 934-2500 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Hawaii Community College is a public trade school in Hilo, HI, offering electrician, auto mechanic, and construction trades programs, accredited by ACCJC.
Hawaii Community College's completion rate is 32.7%, below the Hawaii state average of 51.9%; median graduate debt is $10,500 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $34,891, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Hawaii Community College; the school participates in Title IV federal aid, and 28.8% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | $45,730 | $96,460 | $120,740 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,360 | $52,160 | $67,160 |
| Construction laborers | $43,990 | $77,110 | $87,750 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $48,970 | $77,360 | $98,640 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $50,000 | $79,000 | $90,830 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Hawaii (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | $27,397 | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 2–4 years | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 7 | $27,843 | $26,739 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | $33,993 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | $33,993 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Hawaii Community College is a public trade and career school located in Hilo, Hawaii, in a remote town setting. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, with nursing programs additionally reviewed by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and it participates in federal Title IV financial aid, meaning students can apply for FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants. Across 12 program offerings, the college's most-awarded trade programs are electrician schools (28 completions), auto mechanic schools (24 completions), and construction trades programs (19 completions), alongside culinary and welding programs.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 32.7%, which is below the Hawaii state average of 51.9%. Graduates who borrowed carry a median debt of $10,500, and median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $34,891. About 28.8% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of low-income enrollment. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 1,546 undergraduates and 96 trade program completers reported, this campus appears to serve a mix of shorter trade certificates and longer associate-level programs, though exact program lengths are not detailed here. Adult students or career changers considering electrician, auto mechanic, or construction training may want to confirm current schedules and format directly with the school. Prospective students should verify accreditation status and review full outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Hawaii Community College offers 12 program areas, with the most completions in electrician schools, auto mechanic schools, and construction trades programs. It also offers culinary and welding programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, with nursing programs additionally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can apply for FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 32.7%, which is below the Hawaii state average of 51.9%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $10,500, per federal College Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $34,891.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Hawaii Community College is a public institution, which often correlates with lower tuition and eligibility for state funding, though this should be confirmed with the school.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school at (808) 934-2500 or visit its website to confirm program durations.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and review outcome data via the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?383190.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program formats or schedules for adult learners, so career changers should contact the school directly to discuss fit and scheduling options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in the available data; prospective students should contact the school for program-specific certification information.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Hawaii Community College at (808) 934-2500 or through its website, https://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included in this listing; consult the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?383190 to compare similar programs.
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Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.