7
Programs Ranked
$11,304
Avg Tuition (UH Manoa)
$136,350
HR Manager Salary (HI)
0
Fortune 500 HQs
Hawaii's bachelor's-level HR market is shaped by a law that exists in no other state. The [Prepaid Health Care Act](https://labor.hawaii.gov/dcd/home/about-phc/), enacted in 1974, requires every private employer to provide approved health insurance to employees working 20+ hours weekly. Because the law predates ERISA and was granted a specific exemption, Hawaii employers cannot use federal preemption to avoid the mandate. This creates a benefits compliance specialty unique to the islands. UH Manoa's Shidler College of Business (#1, AACSB, 126 graduates) anchors the pipeline with an Asia-Pacific-focused BBA in HRM, while UH West Oahu (#3, 219 graduates) serves the state's largest output volume.
The Only State With Mandatory Employer Health Insurance
A bachelor's degree in Human Resources in Hawaii prepares you for a compliance environment that mainland HR professionals never encounter. The Prepaid Health Care Act requires employers to provide approved health insurance to any employee working 20+ hours per week for four consecutive weeks, with employers covering at least half the premium and employee contributions capped at 1.5% of wages. HR generalists here must understand approved plan structures, exemption categories, and the interaction between state and federal mandates.
UH Manoa's Shidler College of Business offers the state's flagship BBA in Human Resource Management with AACSB accreditation and a distinctive Asia-Pacific business focus. With 126 annual HR graduates (IPEDS 2023), Shidler produces the largest share of HR talent for Honolulu's major employers including Queen's Health System (3,600+ employees), Hawaiian Airlines, and the state government. The program's cross-cultural management emphasis maps directly to Hawaii's workforce, which spans Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Samoan, and Micronesian communities.
Military installations remain the state's largest employer category. Civilian HR specialist positions at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (GS-9 through GS-12) handle classification, employee relations, and labor relations for a workforce that includes federal civilians, contractors, and local national hires. Bachelor's-degree holders qualify for GS-7 positions with direct promotion potential, making the federal pathway one of the most stable HR career tracks in the state.
Hawaii HR Markets: Honolulu vs Military Bases vs Neighbor Islands
Source: UC Berkeley Labor Center
HR Sectors in Hawaii's Economy
Hawaii's visitor industry supports roughly 1 in 5 jobs statewide. Bachelor's-level HR generalists at major hotel chains manage year-round recruiting cycles, administer benefits under the Prepaid Health Care Act for part-time housekeeping and food service workers, and coordinate training programs for multilingual staffs. Turnover rates in hospitality run 70% or higher, making retention strategy a constant priority.
The U.S. military is Hawaii's largest employer. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam has 31,200+ personnel, and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard employs 7,100+ civilians. Bachelor's-level HR specialists handle federal classification (GS/WG systems), union contract administration (AFGE, NFFE), and civilian workforce planning across multiple commands within USINDOPACOM.
Queen's Medical Center employs 3,600+ workers and serves as Hawaii's trauma center and tertiary referral hub. HR specialists manage nurse credentialing, physician onboarding, shift scheduling for 24/7 operations, and compliance with both the Prepaid Health Care Act and Hawaii's Temporary Disability Insurance program.
The State of Hawaii, four county governments, and Kamehameha Schools (the largest private landowner in the state, with $12B+ in assets) employ thousands. HR roles in this sector involve merit-based civil service hiring, public-sector union negotiations, and managing benefits for workforces governed by separate collective bargaining agreements.
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Why #1: University of Hawaii at Manoa
AACSB-accredited Shidler College with a unique Asia-Pacific HR management perspective, strong employer connections across Honolulu's major healthcare, government, and hospitality employers.
UH Manoa's Shidler College of Business offers a BBA in Human Resource Management with AACSB accreditation and 120 credit hours. The program features a distinctive Asia-Pacific business focus and produces 126 HR graduates annually.
Program Highlights
- Asia-Pacific focus
- AACSB-accredited
- Shidler College of Business
- 126 annual HR graduates (IPEDS 2023)
Key Strengths
- Asia-Pacific focus
- AACSB-accredited
- Shidler College of Business
Admissions
- GPA: 2.5
Program
- 120 credits
Prerequisites
Pre-business core requirements
Sources
Hawaii Pacific University
HPU offers SHRM-aligned and HRCI-authorized HR programs with dual WSCUC and ACBSP accreditation.
Program Highlights
- SHRM-aligned curriculum
- HRCI-authorized
- WSCUC accredited
- ACBSP accredited
Key Strengths
- SHRM-aligned curriculum
- HRCI-authorized
- ACBSP accredited
University of Hawaii-West Oahu
UH West Oahu produces 219 annual HR graduates (IPEDS 2023), the highest volume in the state. Located in the growing Kapolei corridor near military installations.
Program Highlights
- 219 annual HR graduates
- $7,344 tuition
- Growing Kapolei campus
Key Strengths
- Highest graduate volume in Hawaii
- Affordable public tuition
| 1 | University of Hawaii at Manoa | Honolulu, HI | Public | $11,304 | — | 126 | 64.6 |
| 2 | Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | Private | $35,580 | — | 86 | 59 |
| 3 | University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | Public | $7,344 | — | 219 | 54.8 |
| 4 | Brigham Young University-Hawaii | Laie, HI | Private | $6,438 | — | 111 | 53.4 |
| 5 | Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | Private | $29,856 | — | 26 | 48.4 |
| 6 | University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hilo, HI | Public | $7,344 | — | 59 | 47.4 |
| 7 | University of Phoenix-Hawaii | Kapolei, HI | For-Profit | $9,552 | — | 8 | 26.9 |
Career Paths
Manages recruitment, employee relations, and benefits compliance including Prepaid Health Care Act administration.
Leads HR operations at resorts, healthcare systems, or military contractor organizations.
Designs pay structures accounting for Hawaii's high cost of living and geographic differentials.
Develops multilingual training programs for Hawaii's diverse workforce.
Salary by Experience Level
Hawaii HR Bachelor's Programs FAQ
Bachelor's in HR Programs in Nearby States
IPEDS 2023, SHRM Academic Alignment, AACSB, ACBSP
HR degree completions from IPEDS 2023 (sqrt normalized, cap 300)
SHRM-aligned curriculum (+15 pts) and AACSB (+10) or ACBSP (+5)
6-year graduation rate from IPEDS 2023
Carnegie 2021 classification
Completeness of IPEDS reporting
Data Sources & Methodology
Rankings based on the 5-factor HR Program Quality Index. *Salary data from BLS OES May 2024.*
- 1.IPEDS 2023 — Program completions, tuition, and graduation rates
- 2.Bureau of Labor Statistics OES 2024 — HR occupation salaries
- 3.Hawaii DLIR — Prepaid Health Care Act requirements
Last updated: March 2026
Related HR Bachelor's Degree Resources
Taylor Rupe
Education Researcher & Data Analyst
B.A. Psychology, University of Washington · B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State University
Taylor combines training in behavioral science with data analysis to evaluate HR education programs. His research methodology uses IPEDS completion data, BLS employment statistics, and SHRM alignment data to produce evidence-based program rankings.