MSN Programs in Hawaii – 2026

Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

If you want to get out of bedside nursing and pursue a career in nursing education, management, administration, or informatics, then MSN programs in Hawaii are a golden opportunity. Some Master’s of Science in Nursing tracks in the Aloha State can also prepare you for advanced clinical practice. Many of these MSN pathways are offered online to enable you to better blend them into the personal and professional commitments you already have. An MSN promises a comfortable salary: MSN-educated RNs in the Aloha State can depend upon earning $129,240 annually on average. Find the nursing master’s program that will work with your needs by perusing the list below of the best MSN programs in Hawaii.

WHAT ARE THE MSN PROGRAMS IN HAWAII (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Master of Science in Nursing Programs in Hawaii (Online & Campus) for 2026.

1. University of Hawaii at Manoa - Honolulu

Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN and MSN

RN-to-MSN Specialties Offered: Advanced Population Health Nursing

MSN Specialties Offered: Advanced Population Health Nursing

RN-to-MSN Program Details: Are you a Registered Nurse interested in a career focused on population health? If you have an RN license and a non-nursing bachelor's degree, you may find the RN-to-MSN Advanced Population Health Nursing Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to be a perfect option to reach your goals. The program, one of the best online MSN programs in Hawaii, admits students each fall. You can complete the program in one year if you enroll full-time or two years if you choose part-time study.

This RN-to-MSN program is a distance-based pathway designed to prepare for leadership roles in population health. You will develop the skills to gain valuable insights into the effects of healthcare on individuals, families, and communities, and to engage with patients from diverse backgrounds. The program requires the completion of at least 39 credits. You will also participate in 270 hours of fieldwork to gain experience in indirect care at the organizational, aggregate, and systems levels.

RN-to-MSN Admission Requirements: The MSN program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa accepts applications on a rolling basis and utilizes a two-step application process. You must first apply to UH Manoa's Graduate Division. Then, you are required to complete an application through Nursing's Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS).

All candidates for the RN-to-MSN program must possess an associate degree in nursing and a non-nursing bachelor's degree and hold an active, unrestricted RN license in the United States, or have proof of passing the NCLEX-RN exam and have a current RN license by the end of the first semester. You must submit official transcripts showing an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and completion of an undergraduate Introduction to Research course. Candidates for this program must provide evidence of baccalaureate-level knowledge in community, public, and global health; research; an integrative clinical practicum; and leadership development within the last seven years.

MSN Program Details: The MSN program at UH-Manoa is designed for baccalaureate-prepared RNs seeking graduate-level preparation in Advanced Population Health Nursing. The program admits students once each year in the fall semester and can be completed in as little as one year if you enroll full-time.

Didactic coursework is delivered online in a distance-learning format. The program features a 30-credit curriculum. You will take classes, including Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing, Advanced Population Health Nursing, Leadership, Role, Identity & Organizational/System Change, and Disaster Nursing. A six-credit capstone project includes 270 fieldwork hours, completed in your hometown.

MSN Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the MSN program, you must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited college or university and an active, unencumbered RN license. You are required to submit a Graduate College Application and an application via NursingCAS, submit transcripts of all previous academic coursework, and have a minimum college GPA of 3.0. Additionally, you must provide two letters of recommendation, a resume, and an admission essay. Completion of an undergraduate Introduction to Research course (or the equivalent) is also required.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• Prospective students considering the MSN program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa can feel confident about the quality of the education they will receive. The program is led by faculty who are leaders in nursing care and education.
• The University of Hawaii at Manoa MSN program has excellent retention and graduation rates, which are great indicators of student satisfaction and success. As a nursing educator, I believe this is an important factor to consider when choosing a school to pursue your degree.
• At UH-Manoa, you will find competitive tuition rates, which is one way the university tries to make achieving academic goals easier. Additionally, graduate nursing students have access to a broad range of financial assistance options. Advisors are available to help identify available resources and to assist you in applying, if needed.
• Graduates of the MSN program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa have outstanding job placement rates after program completion. The school offers job placement assistance, and many students receive job offers before graduation.

2. Hawaii Pacific University - Honolulu

Programs Offered: MSN

MSN Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Family Nurse Practitioner

MSN Program Details: Hawaii Pacific University's Master of Science in Nursing program is another excellent option for prospective students seeking an MSN program in Hawaii. At HPU, you can choose one of three nurse practitioner concentrations as you pursue your MSN degree: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Family, or Psychiatric Mental Health NP.

The program features an asynchronous, distance-learning format, allowing working nurses to balance their career and education by studying when and where it works best for them. You can earn your degree in as few as 24 months.

As a student in the MSN program, you will complete 45-48 credits, depending on the NP concentration you choose to pursue. Each pathway consists of MSN core courses, specialization courses, and clinical practicum experiences.

MSN Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the MSN program at Hawaii Pacific University, you need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited university and an unencumbered United States RN license. All applicants are required to submit an application and application fee, a curriculum vitae or resume, a Statement of Purpose, and transcripts from all post-secondary schools previously attended. Candidates with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher are preferred.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• As a nurse educator, I understand how important student support is to their success. From academic advisors, experienced faculty, and dedicated preceptors at Hawaii Pacific University, you will have dedicated student support from your first contact with program staff through graduation.
• One way to gauge the quality of an MSN program is to find out how well graduates perform following the program's completion. For example, as a student at HPU, you will choose from one of three nurse practitioner specialties when pursuing the MSN degree. Completion of the program means you meet the academic eligibility requirements to sit for national certification in your chosen field. According to the university, graduates of each MSN concentration meet or exceed national certification pass rates, with most passing their exam on the first attempt.
• When you enroll in one of the MSN pathways at Hawaii Pacific University, you will have diverse clinical opportunities. Clinicals are arranged collaboratively by faculty and students and typically occur in the student's hometown.
• Although coursework is online, HPU maintains a low faculty-to-student ratio, which means having easy access to faculty who care about your success.


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3. What Is The Average MSN Salary In Hawaii?

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7. Average MSN Salary In Hawaii VS. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In Hawaii

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