Career Training Path › Hawaii › Kauai Community College
Kauai Community College
Lihue, Hawaii · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 3-1901 Kaumualii Highway, Lihue, HI 96766 · Phone: (808) 245-8311 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Kauai Community College is a public trade school in Lihue, Hawaii offering auto mechanic, culinary, and LPN programs, accredited by ACCJC and ACEN.
Kauai Community College has a 47.5% completion rate, near the Hawaii state average of 51.9%, with median graduate debt of $10,500 and median earnings of $36,868 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Kauai Community College; federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and about 24.8% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,360 | $52,160 | $67,160 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $48,970 | $77,360 | $98,640 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $59,620 | $71,140 | $75,250 |
| Medical assistants | $38,580 | $48,410 | $55,940 |
| Construction laborers | $43,990 | $77,110 | $87,750 |
| Electricians | $45,730 | $96,460 | $120,740 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 26 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | $25,194 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 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
Kauai Community College is a public trade and career school located in Lihue, Hawaii. It is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, and students here can use federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants. Across its 12 program families, the campus awards the most credentials in auto mechanic schools, culinary & pastry schools, and LPN/LVN programs.
Federal data show a completion rate of 47.5%, which is near the Hawaii state average of 51.9%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $10,500, and median earnings ten years after entry were $36,868. About 24.8% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 716 undergraduates and 106 trade completers in a fringe rural setting, this campus may suit students pursuing short career-technical programs such as auto mechanics or culinary training, as well as those working toward practical nursing credentials. Career changers should confirm specific program lengths and schedules directly with the school. Prospective students can verify accreditation status and outcomes through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard or by contacting the college directly.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Kauai Community College offers 12 program families, with the most completions in auto mechanic schools, culinary & pastry schools, and LPN/LVN programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 47.5%, which is near the Hawaii state average of 51.9%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates who borrowed carried a median debt of $10,500, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $36,868, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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 for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Kauai Community College is a public institution, which typically means lower published tuition for state residents compared to private for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school at (808) 245-8311 or visit its website to confirm.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status and outcomes through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at the link provided, or by contacting the college directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers programs in fields like auto mechanics, culinary arts, and practical nursing, but specific fit for career changers depends on program length and schedule, which are not detailed in this data; contact the school to confirm.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Kauai Community College at (808) 245-8311 or through its website at https://www.kauai.hawaii.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
This data does not include comparisons with other schools; check the College Scorecard for nearby institutions offering 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.