HONOLULU (KHON2) — If you’re a student in Hawaiʻi, chances are you’ve heard someone say they’re majoring in psychology, nursing or business. But did you know that “exploratory” is one of the most popular majors at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa?
That means many students are still deciding what they want to study, and that’s totally normal.
UH Mānoa, the flagship campus of the University of Hawaiʻi system, is home to more than just beautiful views and friendly faces. It’s also a world-class research university with top-ranked programs in business, science, languages and more.
And its sister campuses located at UH Hilo and UH West Oʻahu are also earning praise from national rankings.
Here’s what to know about the most popular majors at UH and how these programs are helping prepare Hawaiʻi’s future leaders.
According to the university, these are the majors with the highest enrollment for Fall 2024:
- Exploratory/Pre-Business.
- Kinesiology (Health & Exercise Science).
- Psychology.
- Biology.
- Computer Science.
- Exploratory (Undecided).
- Marine Biology.
- Mechanical Engineering.
- Pre-Engineering.
- Pre-Nursing.
Students are choosing these programs because they offer strong job opportunities, exciting hands-on learning and real-world impact.
For example, students in kinesiology study how the human body moves, which can lead to careers in sports medicine, physical therapy or fitness training. Those studying marine biology might dive into ocean research and conservation.
“These popular majors highlight areas of strong student interest,” said Nikki Chun, UH Mānoa Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Interim Director of Admissions. “But UH Mānoa’s commitment to excellence extends to every program we offer. We are a globally recognized university… and the people of Hawaiʻi can be truly proud of the exceptional academic resources they have in their own backyard.”
A look at UH’s rising reputation
The University of Hawaiʻi system is made up of 10 campuses, but its three main four-year universities — UH Mānoa, UH Hilo and UH West Oʻahu — stood out in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings.
Here are some of the key honors:
- UH Mānoa tied for number 7 in the nation for ethnic diversity and ranked number 92 among public universities.
- UH West Oʻahu placed number 2 in the West for ethnic diversity and for best public colleges in the West.
- UH Hilo earned a diversity score of 0.76, just behind big-name schools like Stanford and Johns Hopkins.
All three campuses were ranked in the top 1,500 four-year institutions nationwide out of more than 2,600 colleges across the country.
Degrees that are getting noticed
UH’s degrees are popular, and they’re respected around the world.
At UH Mānoa:
- The Shidler College of Business ranked number 20 in the U.S. for international business.
- The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene is ranked number 96 out of 686 nursing programs.
- The College of Engineering is number 139 nationwide.
- The Information and Computer Sciences Department is number 145 out of 584 programs.
- The Department of Psychology is ranked number 229 and Economics is at number 161.
Beyond national rankings, UH Mānoa has also gained global recognition. In the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, it was ranked No. 63 in the U.S. and within the top 300 globally.
In the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject, UH Mānoa placed in the top 20 U.S. schools for eight subjects, including:
- Linguistics (No. 10 U.S., number 22 world).
- Hospitality and Leisure Management (number 15 U.S.).
- Anthropology and Modern Languages (number 19 U.S.).
UH West Oʻahu and UH Hilo are also climbing
UH West Oʻahu continues to rise in the ranks. In the 2025 U.S. News report, it jumped to number 10 overall in the West, five spots higher than the previous year. It also made big gains in social mobility and was named number 6 for least student debt among regional colleges.
Meanwhile, UH Hilo scored well for diversity and social mobility. It was ranked number 111 in the country for helping students from low-income backgrounds earn degrees and number 188 among public universities.
Its nursing program, business and psychology departments all earned national placements.
What makes UH different?
UH Mānoa has a Research 1 (R1) designation. This means it’s amongst the top research universities in the United States. This level of academic power means students have access to world-class professors, labs and learning experiences right here in Hawaiʻi.
The university also stands out for its commitment to ethnic diversity and inclusion. Many students here come from different backgrounds, cultures and islands that create a learning environment where everyone can feel seen and supported.
While it’s exciting to see UH get national and international recognition, what matters most is how these programs serve Hawaiʻi’s people.
Whether you’re still exploring your options or diving deep into a field like marine biology or computer science, UH gives students the tools to grow, lead and give back to their communities.
You can click here to learn more about UH.
According to the rankings, UH isn’t just preparing students for jobs. They’re preparing for a life of impact in the islands and beyond.