University of Hawaii at Hilo Quick Facts
| Duration: 3-4 Years | Courses: 66 | Faculty: 28 |
| Applications (Fall 2024): 58 | Acceptance Rate: 44% | Est. Class Size: 23 |
Program Description
The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) was founded in 1947 and is one of three universities in the University of Hawaii System. UH Hilo’s diverse population combined with its unique location provides a supportive environment that prepares students to work with a wide variety of patients and situations. The College of Pharmacy received full accreditation in June 2011 after the first group of PharmD students graduated in May 2011. In 2013, the College was named the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) in honor of the late US Senator.
DKICP embraces the Institute of Medicine’s five core competencies for healthcare professionals as key components of the curriculum. These include providing patient-centered care, working in interdisciplinary teams, applying evidence-based practice, implementing quality improvements, and utilizing information technology. Pharmacy practice areas of drug information, therapeutics, pharmaceutical care, and experiential education permeate each year. The curriculum incorporates community outreach and service learning while embracing Hawaii’s cultural values.
PharmD Program Highlights
- Public Institution
- Baccalaureate Degree Prefered
- $50 deposit to hold acceptance
- Conducts interviews of applicants
- Participates in Early Decision Program (EDP)
- Minimum Two (2) Letters of Reference are required
- Does not utilize the Centralized Criminal Background Check (CBC)
- Does not participate in the PharmCAS-facilitated Drug Screening Service
Location
Location: 200 W. Kawili Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Interactive mapAcceptance Rate for University of Hawaii at Hilo
44%: See other Schools with an acceptance rate under 44%
NAPLEX Pass Rates
First-time NAPLEX pass rates for University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates, by graduation year, compared with the national average.
| Graduation Year | First-Time Pass Rate | National Average |
| 2025 | 90.9% | 86.8% |
| 2024 | 47.2% | 75.9% |
| 2023 | 62.2% | 76.4% |
Source: NABP, NAPLEX Passing Rates for 2023–2025 Graduates (March 2026). First-attempt pass rates. National average covers all graduates of ACPE-accredited programs.
Tuition
| Tuition (In-State): | $24,096 | per year |
| Tuition (Out-State): | $41,040 | per year |
| Mandatory Fees: | $494 | per year |
First professional year, 2022–23 academic year (most recent AACP tuition survey); later years may differ — confirm current rates with the school.
Requirements
GPA and Test Scores
| Minimum GPA: No minimum | Minimum Prerequisite GPA: No minimum | Standardized Tests: Not required (PCAT discontinued) |
| Program Prerequisites | |
| Total number of college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 52 |
| Total number of basic science college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 34 |
| Total number of college QUARTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 78 |
Course Prerequisites Table
| Course Title | Semester Hours |
| English Composition | 3/4 |
| Second English Course | 3/4 |
| Humanities (examples include Art, Foreign Languages, Philosophy, Linguistics, etc.) | 3/4 |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences (examples include Psychology, Sociology, History, Political Sciences, Anthropology, etc.) | 3/4 |
| Speech/Communication (must include a public speaking component) | 3/4 |
| Pre-Calculus or equivalent | 3/4 |
| General Biology I with Lab (for science majors) | 4/6 |
| General Biology II with Lab (for science majors) | 4/6 |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab (for science majors) | 4/6 |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (for science majors) | 4/6 |
| Microbiology with Lab | 4/6 |
| General Chemistry I with Lab (for science majors) | 4/6 |
| General Chemistry II with Lab (for science majors) | 4/6 |
| Organic Chemistry I with lab preferred (for science majors) | 3/4 |
| Organic Chemistry II or Biochemistry with lab preferred (for science majors) | 3/4 |
| Total | 52 |
Prerequisite Coursework Policies
Online coursework: Accepted for all prerequisite courses. If you are planning or currently taking online courses, please contact us at [email protected] to verify the accreditation status of the online program.
Pass/fail grades: Not accepted.
Completion timing: Applicants must complete all required course prerequisites by the end of the summer term prior to enrolling in the Pharm.D. degree program in the fall term.
Letter of Recommendation Requirements
Two (2) evaluations (letters of reference) are required.
Recommended But Not Required: Health Care Professional, Pharmacist
Accepted: Employer, Faculty Advisor, Pre-Health Advisor, Professor (Math), Professor (Science), Supervisor
Not Accepted: Family Member, Friend
Committee letters: Not Accepted
Interview Information
Interview Format: Individual applicants with two or more interviewers
Online interview option: Yes
Interviews can be conducted in-person or via video conference and are partially closed file. The interviewers are only provided the applicant’s personal statement to review prior to the interview. This approach was selected by the Admissions Committee as it helps the interviewers get to know the applicant while removing preconceived biases based on students’ grades or letters of recommendations.
More about the interview process
Applying
Deadline
June 1, 2027
First day of classes: August 23, 2027
General School Information
Program
Dual Degree Program? No
Part of an academic health center? No
Pharmacy observation hours required? Recommended, but not required
Supplemental application requirement? No
Baccalaureate degree preferred for admissions? Not Required
Follows the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines? No
Is preference given to in-state applicants vs. out-of-state applicants? No
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Additional Program Pathways
This school also offers the following PharmD entry routes and pathways (2027 application cycle):
- University of Hawaii at Hilo – Extended Online (XO) (5.5 years) — Other; online/distance; application deadline December 1, 2026
International Applicants
Foreign (non-U.S.) citizens considered: Yes
Applications accepted from: US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, Canadian Citizens, Foreign (non-US) Citizens with a Visa, Other Non-Citizens (e.g. DACA Students)
Foreign transcript policy: Send a foreign transcript evaluation report (FTER) to PharmCAS
TOEFL required: No
Contact Information
Website: http://pharmacy.uhh.hawaii.edu
Social Profiles
| Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DKICP/ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of applicants does University of Hawaii at Hilo accept?
The acceptance rate is approximately 44%, so qualified applicants have a reasonable path in.
How expensive is University of Hawaii at Hilo’s PharmD program?
First-year tuition is about $24,096 for in-state students and $41,040 for out-of-state students (2022–23 AACP survey), before fees.
What GPA do you need to get into University of Hawaii at Hilo?
There is no published GPA cutoff at University of Hawaii at Hilo — coursework, experience, and interviews are weighed together.
What is University of Hawaii at Hilo’s PharmCAS deadline?
Applications for the 2026–27 cycle are due by June 1, 2027 through PharmCAS.
Do you need a bachelor’s degree to get into University of Hawaii at Hilo?
No — University of Hawaii at Hilo admits students who have completed the prerequisite coursework, with or without a bachelor’s degree. The PharmD itself takes four years.
How do University of Hawaii at Hilo’s graduates do on the NAPLEX?
In 2025, the first-time NAPLEX pass rate was 90.9%, as reported by NABP.