Best Bachelor's Computer Engineering Degree Programs in Hawaii
University of Hawaii at Manoa — Honolulu, HI
Key Distinction: ABET-accredited program. Access to Hawaii Advanced Wireless Technologies Institute (HAWTI) with research opportunities
Hakia Insight: UH Manoa's ABET accreditation combined with the Hawaii Advanced Wireless Technologies Institute (HAWTI) creates a rare opportunity for undergrads to contribute to cutting-edge wireless research while completing their degree, positioning graduates ahead of peers from programs where research remains faculty-only.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at University of Hawaii at Manoa is an ABET-accredited program designed to be completed in eight semesters (4 years). The curriculum combines fundamental science and engineering coursework with hands-on project courses that introduce the engineering method of design. Students benefit from access to the Hawaii Advanced Wireless Technologies Institute (HAWTI), a multidisciplinary research center with federal and corporate funding from sponsors including Raytheon, Agilent Technologies, BAE Systems, and Hawaiian Electric Company. The program emphasizes sustainability, resilience, and environmental enhancement alongside state-of-the-art topics including nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. UH Manoa has granted close to 12,000 engineering degrees since 1907, with many graduates working in industry, consulting firms, and governmental agencies throughout Hawaii and beyond. The college maintains active student chapters of professional engineering societies and honorary societies, and well-qualified students may participate in UH Manoa Honors Programs or pursue combined Bachelor's & Master's degree pathways.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Access to aerospace, defense, and telecommunications industry partnerships in Hawaii; proximity to Pacific Rim research networks
Hawaii Pacific University — Honolulu, HI
Key Distinction: Two concentration tracks available: Computer Engineering and Engineering Sustainability. Specialization options in computer architecture, network engineering, renewable energy, robotics and automation, intelligent control, image and audio processing, and modeling of engineering process-based systems
Hakia Insight: Hawaii Pacific's dual concentration model—pairing computer engineering with engineering sustainability—appeals to a specific sector: renewable energy companies expanding across the Pacific are actively seeking engineers trained in both computing and clean-tech, creating a talent scarcity that graduates can leverage immediately.
The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Hawaii Pacific University is a four-year program (120+ credits) that applies engineering principles to electrical systems and devices. The curriculum covers core expertise in electrical circuits, signals and systems, control and microcontroller systems, electronics, digital hardware, communications technology, embedded systems, and power systems. Students progress from fundamentals in electricity, electromagnetism, and electronics toward specialization in advanced topics including computer architecture, network engineering, renewable energy, robotics and automation, intelligent control, image and audio processing, and modeling of engineering process-based systems. The program offers two concentration options: Engineering Sustainability or Computer Engineering. Graduates find employment across diverse industries including heavy industry and manufacturing, government, engineering consultancy, instrumentation, aviation, robotics, building and construction, healthcare, hospitality, and military sectors.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Location Advantages: Access to Hawaii's growing renewable energy and marine technology sectors
Brigham Young University-Hawaii — Laie, HI
Key Distinction: BYU-Hawaii's program uniquely combines rigorous computer engineering fundamentals with values-centered education and service-oriented capstone projects, producing technically skilled engineers with leadership mindset.
Hakia Insight: BYU-Hawaii's values-centered curriculum isn't decorative; service-oriented capstone projects create a portfolio advantage where graduates can demonstrate leadership alongside technical competency—a rare combination that appeals to employers seeking engineering managers, not just individual contributors.
At the bachelor's level, BYU-Hawaii's computer engineering program balances rigorous technical training with the university's values-centered mission, creating a distinctive culture where ethics, teamwork, and service leadership are woven into the engineering curriculum. The program emphasizes signal processing, digital systems, and embedded applications with strong laboratory components in circuit design and microcontroller development. Students engage in cross-disciplinary capstone projects that often address real-world problems in developing regions or underserved communities—a reflection of the university's global service emphasis. The relatively small program size fosters close mentorship between faculty and students, enabling customized learning paths and direct involvement in faculty research. Graduates report strong outcomes in sectors ranging from aerospace and defense contractors to semiconductor companies and telecommunications firms, many citing the program's combination of technical depth and collaborative problem-solving as defining strengths.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Engineering — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages:
University of Hawaii at Hilo — Hilo, HI
Key Distinction: UH Hilo's program uniquely weaves sustainability and environmental applications throughout its computer engineering curriculum, preparing students for the growing clean-tech sector.
Hakia Insight: UH Hilo's integration of geothermal and environmental applications into core computer engineering coursework means students graduate with domain expertise in a niche sector where Hawaii's real-world projects serve as living labs, giving them competitive advantage in the expanding clean-tech hiring market.
At the bachelor's level, the computer engineering program at UH Hilo takes a distinctive approach by integrating environmental and sustainability applications into core engineering curriculum—a rarity among mainland programs. Students explore how computer systems optimize renewable energy grids, support climate monitoring, and improve agricultural efficiency in tropical and island contexts. This thematic integration attracts students motivated by impact alongside technical depth. The program leverages Hilo's unique position on the Big Island, where volcanic and geothermal systems, along with active astronomy research, create tangible contexts for control systems, data acquisition, and signal processing projects. Faculty research spans embedded systems for environmental monitoring and sustainable computing, directly feeding into undergraduate capstone experiences. Graduates find roles in renewable energy companies, environmental monitoring organizations, and tech firms with sustainability mandates—a career pathway that's becoming increasingly valuable as industries prioritize decarbonization.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Engineering — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to geothermal energy projects and environmental research initiatives in Hawaii
Best Master's Computer Engineering Degree Programs in Hawaii
University of Hawaii at Manoa — Honolulu, HI
Key Distinction: UH Manoa's program stands apart through its research-intensive curriculum and faculty expertise in wireless systems and cybersecurity, positioning graduates for advanced technical and research careers.
Hakia Insight: UH Manoa's master's program leverages faculty expertise in wireless systems and cybersecurity alongside actual aerospace and defense industry partnerships in Hawaii—students don't just study these fields, they access funded projects where thesis work directly supports active government contracts.
At the master's level, UH Manoa's computer engineering program leverages its position as Hawaii's flagship research university to offer students exposure to cutting-edge research alongside structured degree pathways. The program provides specialization tracks in areas including cybersecurity, wireless systems, and data-driven computing—reflecting faculty research strengths in networked systems and signal processing. Students have opportunities to engage with the university's research centers and laboratories, particularly those focused on ocean technology, aerospace applications, and information security. The program attracts faculty with strong publication records and industry consulting experience, creating an environment where current research problems inform course content and capstone design. Graduate outcomes reflect the program's research emphasis, with many students moving into graduate studies at top-tier institutions or technical roles at companies investing in R&D. The Honolulu location provides pathways to both local technology firms and broader networks through the university's connections to defense, aerospace, and telecommunications industries.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Computer Engineering — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Computer Engineering — 1-2 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Access to aerospace, defense, and telecommunications industry partnerships in Hawaii; proximity to Pacific Rim research networks
Best Doctoral Computer Engineering Degree Programs in Hawaii
University of Hawaii at Manoa — Honolulu, HI
Key Distinction: UH Manoa's program stands apart through its research-intensive curriculum and faculty expertise in wireless systems and cybersecurity, positioning graduates for advanced technical and research careers.
Hakia Insight: The doctoral program's position within Hawaii's aerospace and defense research ecosystem means PhD candidates can embed themselves in Pacific Rim research networks before defending, creating international collaboration threads that many mainland programs can only simulate.
At the doctoral level, UH Manoa's computer engineering program leverages its position as Hawaii's flagship research university to offer students exposure to cutting-edge research alongside structured degree pathways. The program provides specialization tracks in areas including cybersecurity, wireless systems, and data-driven computing—reflecting faculty research strengths in networked systems and signal processing. Students have opportunities to engage with the university's research centers and laboratories, particularly those focused on ocean technology, aerospace applications, and information security. The program attracts faculty with strong publication records and industry consulting experience, creating an environment where current research problems inform course content and capstone design. Graduate outcomes reflect the program's research emphasis, with many students moving into graduate studies at top-tier institutions or technical roles at companies investing in R&D. The Honolulu location provides pathways to both local technology firms and broader networks through the university's connections to defense, aerospace, and telecommunications industries.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Computer Engineering — 4-6 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Access to aerospace, defense, and telecommunications industry partnerships in Hawaii; proximity to Pacific Rim research networks
