Hawaii at Hilo SAT Scores, GPA, and ACT (2026)
By the Cheetah Prep team · Reviewed July 15, 2026
SAT middle 50 percent
945 to 1175
Half of enrolled students at Hawaii at Hilo scored in this range on the SAT. One quarter scored above 1175, and one quarter below 945.
- Average composite
- 1028
- Acceptance rate
- 60.6%
- ACT range
- 15 to 22
- Test policy
- Test optional
- Location
- Hilo, HI
- Undergraduates
- 2,160
Hawaii at Hilo SAT Scores and Admissions
About 61 out of every 100 people who apply to the University of Hawaii at Hilo get an offer, so the admission rate of 60.6% keeps the door open for a lot of students. The hawaii at hilo sat scores tied to those offers span a wide band: the middle 50 percent of admitted students land between 945 and 1175, with an average near 1028. That spread means a score in the low 1000s is right at home here, and even a score in the high 900s stays in range.
Hawaii at Hilo is a public university in Hilo, on the east side of the Big Island, and it enrolls about 2,160 students, so it runs at a small scale next to a big state flagship. The section split is telling. Reading and Writing runs from 490 to 610 in the middle 50 percent, while Math runs from 455 to 565. The verbal side sits a notch higher at both ends, so your Reading and Writing work tends to carry more weight in that total. In the most recent federal data the school is test optional, so you can decide whether to send scores based on how they compare to these ranges.
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Hawaii at Hilo SAT Score Breakdown by Section
Here is the section by section SAT profile of enrolled students at Hawaii at Hilo, from the federal College Scorecard.
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 490 | 610 |
| Math | 455 | 565 |
| CompositeTotal SAT | 945 | 1175 |
The College Board reports section percentiles, not section averages, so an average is shown for the composite only.
Where this sits on the 400 to 1600 scale
945 to 1175
Hawaii at Hilo Admissions Calculator: What Are Your Chances?
Enter your SAT score and unweighted GPA for an honest read on your chances of getting into Hawaii at Hilo, measured against real enrolled student data instead of a made up percentage.
No SAT score yet? Take the diagnostic and get a real number in about 25 minutes.
How this calculator works: your SAT is compared with Hawaii at Hilo's reported middle 50 percent range from the federal College Scorecard, your GPA is compared with the range admitted students at similarly selective schools typically present, and both are weighed against the school's real acceptance rate. We do not print a made up percent chance. No calculator can see your essays, your course rigor, or your recommendations, and at selective schools those decide close calls. Treat this as an honest read of your academic position, not a prediction.
Chances of Getting Into Hawaii at Hilo by SAT Score
Here is what specific scores mean at Hawaii at Hilo, based on its reported 945 to 1175 middle 50 percent range. Find the row closest to your score, or use the calculator above for a read on your exact numbers. No made up percentages: each verdict is your real position in the enrolled class.
| SAT score | Where it lands | The honest read |
|---|---|---|
| 800 | Well below the 25th percentile | A 800 is well below the 945 to 1175 range at Hawaii at Hilo. On testing alone this score does not keep the application in contention, so raising it is the priority. |
| 900 | Just below the 25th percentile | A 900 falls just short of Hawaii at Hilo's 25th percentile of 945. Some students get in below the range, but they usually bring something exceptional elsewhere in the application. |
| 1060 | Inside the middle 50 percent | A 1060 sits inside the 945 to 1175 range, matching the profile of enrolled students. This is a competitive score here. |
| 1180 | At the 75th percentile | A 1180 matches the 75th percentile at Hawaii at Hilo, stronger than about 3 out of 4 enrolled students. Testing is a clear strength at this level. |
| 1210 | Above the 75th percentile | A 1210 beats the 75th percentile at Hawaii at Hilo. The score is doing all it can; nothing more is gained by retaking. |
How to Raise Your SAT Score to Hawaii at Hilo's Range
The two targets that matter here are 945, the score that puts you inside the admitted range, and 1175, the score that puts you in the top quarter. Here is the size of the jump from common starting points, with the step by step plan for each one.
| Starting score | To reach 945 | To reach 1175 | The plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | Already there | +175 points | 1000 to 1200 plan |
| 1100 | Already there | +75 points | 1100 to 1200 plan |
Not sure where you stand today? The diagnostic gives you a real starting score and a section breakdown in one sitting, so the gap you plan around is your actual gap.
What SAT Score Do You Need for Hawaii at Hilo?
Here is how to read the 945 to 1175 band. A score below 945 puts you under the 25th percentile, so you would be applying from behind and leaning on grades, essays, and the rest of your file to make the case. A score inside the band, roughly 945 to 1175, puts you in the same range as the middle half of admitted students, which is a comfortable place to sit given the 60.6% admission rate. A score above 1175 puts you in the top quarter and gives you real margin.
The two sections do not set the same bar. Reading and Writing spans 490 to 610, while Math spans 455 to 565, so the verbal side asks for more at both the 25th and 75th percentile. If you are stronger in Math, you will want to push Reading and Writing up to keep your total inside the band. If reading is your strength, you already have a head start on the section that carries more weight here.
Hawaii at Hilo GPA Requirements
Admitted students at Hawaii at Hilo typically present an unweighted GPA in the range of 3.3 to 3.7. Think of that as a solid B plus to A minus record across four years, not a wall of straight A's. Most students who get in have kept their grades steady and taken a real course load rather than the easiest path.
The number on your transcript matters, but so does what sits behind it. Grades earned in rigorous courses count as much as the raw figure, so a 3.5 built on honors and tougher classes reads stronger than a higher average built on light ones. If your GPA sits near the lower edge of that 3.3 to 3.7 band, a strong SAT is the fastest way to offset it. A score at or above the 1175 mark, the top of the middle 50 percent, gives an admissions reader a clear reason to look past a grade or two that slipped. Steady upward grades across your junior and senior years help too.
Typical admitted GPA
Admitted students at Hawaii at Hilo typically present a GPA in the 3.3 to 3.7 range on an unweighted 4.0 scale. Solid grades with a clear upward trend read well, especially paired with a strong test score.
If your GPA sits at or below this range, a strong SAT score is the fastest way to stay competitive, since grades are hard to move late in high school. See where your SAT score really stands and build the plan around the gap.
These are unweighted grades on a 4.0 scale. A school that weights GPA or reports a different scale will show a higher number.
Hawaii at Hilo SAT Testing Policy
Hawaii at Hilo considered scores without requiring them (test optional) in the most recent federal data. Testing policies change year to year, so confirm the current 2026-2027policy on the school's admissions site before you decide whether to submit scores.
Should you submit your score?
Submit your score when it is at or above 1060, the middle of Hawaii at Hilo's range. If you are below 945, the 25th percentile, consider holding your score and letting your grades, essays, and activities carry the application.
Last verified July 15, 2026
Should You Submit Your SAT Score to Hawaii at Hilo?
Hawaii at Hilo was test optional in the most recent federal data, which turns your score into a strategic choice. The folk theory that applying without scores signals weakness is overstated, but the math of what helps is simple: a score that lands inside or above the admitted range works for you, and a score well below it does not.
1060+
Submit
At or above the middle of the admitted range, submitting clearly helps. A real data point beats an open question.
945 to 1060
Lean submit
Inside the range, most counselors say send it: you are within the profile of enrolled students, and holding it back leaves the reader guessing.
Below 945
Usually hold it
Below the 25th percentile the score rarely helps at Hawaii at Hilo. Apply without it, or better, close the gap first. Scores can still matter for merit scholarships elsewhere on your list.
Policy as reported for the 2024-2025 cycle. We verified it against Hawaii at Hilo's own site, where any mid cycle change would appear first.
Hawaii at Hilo ACT Scores: Should You Take the SAT or ACT?
The middle 50 percent of enrolled students at Hawaii at Hilo scored between 15 and 22 on the ACT, alongside the 945 to 1175 SAT range. Like nearly every US college, Hawaii at Hilo states no preference between the two tests. The right move is to take whichever test converts higher for you, using the official concordance below, and send that one.
| ACT composite | SAT equivalent |
|---|---|
| 22 | 1100 to 1120 |
| 21 | 1060 to 1090 |
| 20 | 1030 to 1050 |
| 19 | 990 to 1020 |
| 18 | 960 to 980 |
| 17 | 920 to 950 |
| 16 | 880 to 910 |
SAT equivalents from the official College Board and ACT concordance tables. Highlighted rows fall inside Hawaii at Hilo's ACT middle 50 percent.
How to Get Into Hawaii at Hilo
Set your targets against the band. A 945, the 25th percentile, keeps you in range. A 1175, the 75th percentile, puts you in the top quarter of admitted students and gives you room to spare. A safe aim sits somewhere between the average of 1028 and that 1175 upper mark, so shoot for 1100 or higher if you want to feel secure.
Split the work by section. Reading and Writing needs to reach toward 610 and Math toward 565 to match the top of each range. Build those numbers into a study calendar with our score plans, which map weekly targets to a test date. Before you lock in a target, take a diagnostic to see exactly where your Reading and Writing and Math sit against these ranges right now. Then your next step is simple: pick the section with the widest gap and start there this week.
How Hard Is It to Get Into Hawaii at Hilo?
Hawaii at Hilo admits about 606 of every 1,000 applicants, and enrolls an undergraduate class of about 2,160. That ratio, not any single cutoff, is what makes the admitted profile look the way it does: when a school turns away 394 of every 1,000 people who apply, the students who get in cluster at the top of every measurable scale.
For perspective against the country as a whole: Hawaii at Hilo's 25th percentile score of 945 already beats roughly 31% of all SAT takers nationally, and its 75th percentile of 1175 sits around the 71th percentile. A score that feels middling on this page is an excellent score almost anywhere else, which is worth remembering when you build the rest of your list.
Colleges Similar to Hawaii at Hilo: Reach, Match, and Safety Options
Real reported ranges from schools students often consider alongside Hawaii at Hilo, ordered by acceptance rate. Odds are compared on acceptance rate first, because a school with a lower SAT average can still be far harder to get into.
| School | SAT middle 50 percent | Acceptance rate | Odds vs Hawaii at Hilo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii at Hilo | 945 to 1175 | 60.6% | This page |
| Regent | 990 to 1250 | 38.1% | Harder to get into than Hawaii at HiloSAT about 60 higher |
| Brigham Young University Hawaii | 960 to 1190 | 47.0% | Similar oddsSAT about 15 higher |
| CUNY Lehman | 850 to 1150 | 56.6% | Similar oddsSAT about 60 lower |
| Elizabeth City State | 920 to 1080 | 64.2% | Similar oddsSAT about 60 lower |
| Fort Valley State | 930 to 1070 | 65.9% | Similar oddsSAT about 60 lower |
| Lynn | 1040 to 1200 | 73.5% | Similar oddsSAT about 60 higher |
How Recent Are These Hawaii at Hilo SAT Scores?
Every score, rate, and enrollment figure on this page comes from the US Department of Education College Scorecard, 2024-2025 release, the same federal dataset colleges report into. Testing policy reflects the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. This page was last reviewed July 15, 2026.
Score ranges quoted around the web for Hawaii at Hilo disagree with each other more than you would expect, usually because a site is quoting an older class or an unlabeled estimate. We publish the reported number, label the vintage, and update when the source updates. We also cross checked Hawaii at Hilo's own admissions site, where any change would appear first.
Hawaii at Hilo SAT Scores and GPA: Frequently Asked Questions
What SAT score do you need to get into Hawaii at Hilo?
Hawaii at Hilo's middle 50 percent SAT range is 945 to 1175. Aim for at least 945 to be competitive, and 1175 or higher to be a strong applicant. There is no hard cutoff, but a score in or above this range keeps your application in contention.
Is a 945 a good SAT score for Hawaii at Hilo?
A 945 sits at Hawaii at Hilo's 25th percentile, the lower edge of its middle 50 percent range of 945 to 1175. It keeps you in range, but a score closer to 1175 makes your application stronger.
What is the average SAT score at Hawaii at Hilo?
The average composite SAT score at Hawaii at Hilo is 1028. The middle 50 percent of enrolled students scored between 945 and 1175.
Does Hawaii at Hilo require SAT scores?
No. Hawaii at Hilo was test optional in the most recent federal data, so you can apply without SAT scores. Confirm the current 2026-2027 policy on the school's admissions site before you decide whether to submit.
Is Hawaii at Hilo test optional for 2026-2027?
Hawaii at Hilo was test optional in the most recent federal data, meaning you could apply without scores. Policies change year to year, so verify the 2026-2027 policy on the school's admissions site.
What ACT score do you need for Hawaii at Hilo?
Hawaii at Hilo's middle 50 percent ACT range is 15 to 22. Aim for at least 15 to be competitive and 22 or higher to be a strong applicant. A strong ACT can stand in for the SAT at Hawaii at Hilo.
What GPA do you need to get into Hawaii at Hilo?
Admitted students at Hawaii at Hilo typically present an unweighted GPA in the 3.3 to 3.7 range on the 4.0 scale, based on schools with a comparable acceptance rate. Grades earned in rigorous courses matter as much as the number itself, and a strong SAT score is the fastest way to offset a GPA at the lower edge of that range.
What is Hawaii at Hilo's acceptance rate?
Hawaii at Hilo admits about 60.6% of applicants, which makes it moderately selective. A strong SAT score still helps your application stand out, especially for selective majors, honors programs, and merit scholarships.
What are my chances of getting into Hawaii at Hilo?
Hawaii at Hilo admits about 60.6% of applicants, so your chances depend on where you sit against the admitted pool. The middle 50 percent of enrolled students scored 945 to 1175 on the SAT and admitted students typically carry an unweighted GPA around 3.3 to 3.7. A score above 1175 puts you in the strongest quarter of the class on testing. Use the admissions calculator on this page to check your own SAT and GPA against Hawaii at Hilo's real numbers.
How can I raise my SAT score for Hawaii at Hilo?
Focus your prep on the section costing you the most points, then follow a study plan built for your target score range. Cheetah Prep has step by step score plans for specific point jumps and unlimited practice questions with worked solutions.
Does Hawaii at Hilo superscore the SAT?
Superscore policies vary by school and change year to year, and Hawaii at Hilo does not report this in the federal data. Check the school's admissions site for its current superscore policy, which tells you whether it combines your best section scores across test dates.
About this page: written and reviewed by the Cheetah Prep team. Last reviewed July 15, 2026.
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