HPU students study in downtown Honolulu, the business and financial center of the Pacific.
Higher education in the U.S. is experiencing a historic reckoning. A perfect storm of factors: declining birth rates, changing workforce demands, skepticism about the return on investment of a college degree, and the rise of flexible online programs has created deep and lasting disruption across the industry. This “demographic cliff” means fewer college-age students entering the pipeline each year, while many of those who are eligible question whether a traditional four-year campus experience is worth the cost. Combined with the growth of online education that renders geography irrelevant, many institutions now face declining enrollments, financial strain, and in some cases, closure.
Zoom in on HPU, and the story flips. Recognizing the national trends years before they reached critical mass, HPU has charted a proactive course to evolve rather than retreat. The University diversified its academic portfolio by expanding high-demand graduate programs in healthcare, business, and technology while strengthening undergraduate pathways that emphasize affordability, flexibility, and career relevance. HPU invested in accelerated degree options, online and hybrid formats, and partnerships that align academic offerings with Hawai‘i’s workforce needs. Through a deliberate strategy of innovation and responsiveness, HPU positioned itself to serve not only traditional college students, but also working professionals, career changers, and military-affiliated learners seeking advancement in a rapidly changing economy.
Over the past decade, HPU’s total enrollment has grown 32.4%, rising from 5,651 students in 2016 to 7,482 in 2025 (+1,831). Graduate enrollment more than tripled in that same period, climbing from 926 to 3,094 students (+234%). By expanding graduate and professional programs aligned with Hawai‘i’s workforce needs in fields such as health sciences, business, technology, and education HPU has forged a sustained path of enrollment growth and institutional strength.
“Looking only at undergraduate headcount leaves out half the story,” said HPU Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Jeffrey Rich. “Enrollment is a whole-university picture. Our momentum comes from both a strong undergraduate experience with faster, more affordable routes like dual-credit and concurrent registration and registration, and our innovative graduate programs. Innovation in higher education is key for success, both for HPU and our students. This is exactly why we are introducing our new three-year bachelor’s degree in 2026, designed to grow our undergraduate population even further for many years to come.”
HPU’s forthcoming three-year Bachelor of Science in Global Business (pending WSCUC approval) will launch next fall as the first accelerated degree program of its kind in Hawai‘i. The 90-credit program is designed to offer a more efficient and affordable pathway to graduation. Complementary initiatives, like the dual-credit options that allow high school students to earn college credit and even complete an associate degree before graduation, and concurrent registration that lets undergraduates count up to 12 credits toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees are further redefining value and flexibility at HPU.
Greg Grauman has been HPU's Vice President for Enrollment Management since 2016, and he emphasizes that clarity and value drive student choice.
“What I have seen, time and time again, is that families want clarity on value, time, and outcomes,” said Grauman. “At HPU, that means small classes, experienced faculty who know your name, and a downtown Honolulu setting with internships and employers nearby. HPU’s Aloha Tower Marketplace Harbor Lofts place students right above the main campus hub and right on the Honolulu Harbor, just steps from classrooms, housing and residence life, first-year experience, Pier Nine by Sam Choy, and our eSports Arena. Learning and living connect every day at HPU. With dual-credit, concurrent pathways, and an accelerated three-year option, students can personalize a path that fits their goals and budget. That really is the HPU spirit.”
In a decade when many institutions contracted or even closed their doors for good (more than 40 public and private nonprofit campuses in the last five years alone), HPU expanded 32%, fueled by its nimble, market-aligned programs and commitment to student-centered innovation.
“The through-line is simple,” Grauman said. “Widen pathways, align with Hawai‘i’s needs, keep the student experience at the center, and positive enrollment will follow.”
To learn more about HPU, go to: www.hpu.edu.
