Pacific Students: A Thriving Ohana At Hawaii Pacific University

how many students at hawaii pacific university

Hawaiʻi Pacific University, regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, has grown significantly since graduating just seven students in its first commencement class in 1972. The university's athletic teams, the Sharks, compete in the NCAA Division II and are based in Honolulu's business district. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12 to 1, and in 2022, 31% of students graduated within the normal time of four years. The median undergraduate tuition fee is $31,440, and 95% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants or loans in 2022.

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Hawaii Pacific University's student housing

Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HPU) offers student housing as part of its Aloha Tower Marketplace facility in downtown Honolulu. The Aloha Tower Marketplace is a mixed-use property that also includes the HPU Welcome Center, Learning Commons, Lounge, Student Café, Student Fitness Center, an Esports Arena, and a variety of restaurants, businesses, classrooms, and meeting rooms for university and community use. The $50 million revitalisation project was completed in August 2015.

The average yearly cost of room and board at HPU was $16,764 in 2022, an 8.33% decrease from 2021. The university's athletic department is centrally located in Honolulu's business district, and the College of Business is headquartered in Pioneer Plaza, just a few blocks away from the state capitol.

In 2016, HPU opened its downtown INBRE (IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence) research labs, providing students with access to biomedical instrumentation and laboratory facilities. The university also has a downtown campus, previously known as the Hawaii Loa campus, located eight miles away from the main campus in Kāneʻohe.

HPU's student housing options provide convenient access to the university's academic and extracurricular offerings. The mixed-use nature of the Aloha Tower Marketplace facility allows students to easily transition between their living, learning, and social spaces, fostering a sense of community and engagement within the HPU student body.

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The university's athletic teams

The athletic teams at Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) are called the Sharks. The university's athletic department is centrally located in Honolulu's business district, just a few blocks from the state capitol. The Sharks compete in the Pacific West Conference as part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division II.

Hawaii Pacific University's first intercollegiate athletics team was its men's basketball team, which won the 1993 NAIA Division I men's basketball tournament. The university previously competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics before joining the NCAA in the mid-1990s.

The school's most successful athletics program has been its women's volleyball team, which has won three national championships: an NAIA national volleyball championship in 1990 and two NCAA Women's DII Volleyball Championships in 1998 and 2000. The Lady Sharks Softball team won the NCAA Division II Women's College World Series in 2010. HPU also has a Division II cheerleading and dance team, with national championship titles.

In addition to athletics, HPU offers a range of other extracurricular activities for its students. The university's downtown Honolulu campus features an Esports Arena, and HPU's College of Business provides students with access to computer-based classrooms and meeting spaces. The university also has a Student Fitness Center, and its Aloha Tower Marketplace campus includes a variety of restaurants, businesses, classrooms, and community gathering spaces.

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Student fees and financial aid

The cost of tuition at Hawaii Pacific University is $31,440, which is $7,444 more than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities. The average net price for students receiving grants or scholarship aid was $32,204 in 2019/2020. This figure includes tuition and required fees, books and supplies, and the average cost of room and board and other expenses. The average yearly cost of room and board at Hawaii Pacific University was $16,764 in 2022, while the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,300.

The overall cost of attendance is the total amount of money the average student has to pay without any financial aid. This includes tuition and fees, room, board, textbooks, and personal expenses. The good news is that most students do not end up paying full price to attend Hawaii Pacific University. In 2022, 95% of undergraduate students at Hawaii Pacific University received financial aid through grants or loans. This is 3% higher than the average for private not-for-profit schools, which is positive as it means students are likely getting a good deal on their education.

However, it is important to note that Hawaii Pacific University gives a smaller percentage of its students institutional grants than similar schools, so the financial aid on offer may be less competitive. The amount of financial aid received by students is also lower than the average for private not-for-profit schools. Financial aid is not guaranteed and is only available for qualifying students. Federal student loans must be repaid with interest, and it is recommended not to borrow more than you can pay back using 10% of your monthly income earned after graduation.

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Student demographics and diversity

Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HPU) is a private university based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. The university is home to a diverse student body, with students from a range of backgrounds and ethnicities.

In 2022, Hawaiʻi Pacific University awarded degrees to 204 more women than men, indicating a significantly larger female student population. The same year, the most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (210 degrees awarded), followed by Asian (164 degrees), and Black/African-American (69 degrees). The university also has a notable population of international students, with 3.4% of its students coming from 47 countries outside the United States.

The student body at Hawaiʻi Pacific University is made up of students pursuing a variety of academic disciplines. In 2022, the most common Bachelor's Degree concentration was Registered Nursing (114 degrees awarded), followed by General Business Administration & Management (80 degrees), and General Psychology (36 degrees). The university's School of Business, based in Pioneer Plaza, offers computer-based classrooms and meeting spaces. The university also has a strong focus on athletics, with its teams known as the Sharks, and varsity sports including men's basketball and esports.

Hawaiʻi Pacific University offers a range of student support services, including financial aid. In 2022, 95% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants, and 27% received aid through loans. The average yearly cost of room and board at the university was $16,764 in 2022, with additional costs for books and supplies averaging $1,300. The university's student housing and residence life department has been criticised by some for being disorganised and poorly managed.

The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 and is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The university's School of Education and Nursing Program have also received specialised accreditation for their degree programs.

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Student satisfaction and experience

Hawai'i Pacific University is known for its diversity and its ability to accommodate international and national students. The university has three campuses, each with a specific purpose, which is convenient for students. The university's athletic teams are called the Sharks, and while they do have a few sports teams, the university primarily focuses on academics. Hawai'i Pacific University offers a wide range of courses that can accommodate any type of degree or interest. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1, and the classroom sizes are small, allowing professors to get to know their students well. The university also offers a liberal arts foundation set in the rich cultural context of Hawai'i, providing students with diverse courses that inspire lifelong learning and introduce them to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences.

The university has a median undergraduate tuition fee of $31,440, which is significantly higher than the national average. However, 95% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants or loans in 2022, with an average net price of $30,501 after accounting for grants and loans. The yearly cost of room and board is also high, at $16,764 in 2022, and the cost of books and supplies can be substantial, with an average yearly cost of $1,300 in the same year.

The university has a fall 2020 acceptance rate of 75%, indicating that it may be relatively selective in its admissions process. Hawai'i Pacific University provides a range of co-curricular activities that engage students in the unique cultural traditions of Hawai'i and the local community. The university also has a downtown campus with easy access to eateries, shops, and transportation, contributing to a positive student experience.

While student satisfaction at Hawai'i Pacific University has not been extensively studied, some research suggests that innate happiness and other personality traits may significantly influence satisfaction ratings. However, it's important to note that the accuracy and value of simplistic student satisfaction assessments have been questioned by researchers, who argue that satisfaction levels may be more strongly linked to intrinsic personality traits rather than the quality of education or extrinsic factors.

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