Seeking an education in Kenya, especially through self-funding can be quite expensive.
Some courses require a lot of money and below are the top three most expensive courses in Kenya.
It should be noted, however, that in some of these, government funding helps shield the students from paying the whole lump sum.
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy and Dentistry
With most of the degrees, taking a maximum of six years, this is one of the most competitive courses in the country.
One needs to have good grades with most universities taking a B plus and above.
Those wishing to study the course need to pass Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics or Physics.
According to 2023 data from Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCCPS).
It costs about KSh 612,000 annually to pursue a medical degree in universities, like, Kenyatta, Maseno, Moi and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
The University of Nairobi charges a little over KSh500,000 with Kisii University and Masinde Muliro charging about KSh 461,000 and KSh306,000 respectively.
Private Universities charge a little over Sh500,000 per year.
A degree in pharmacy in most universities costs a little over KSh 400,000 with Clinical Medicine and Clinical Dentistry going for more than KSh 600,000 in some cases.
Engineering
The cost of undertaking engineering courses in most universities and technical institutions is not less than KSh 300,000.
The annual fee for undertaking an engineering course at the Technical University of Kenya is about KSh 300,000.
The Technical University of Mombasa charges about KSh 302,940.
It costs about KSh 374,000 to undertake a civil engineering course at the University of Nairobi and KSh 373,540 for agricultural engineering at Egerton University.
While JKUAT, KU and the University of Eldoret charge a little over KSh 336,000 for most of their engineering programs.
Pilot
To become a commercial pilot, one needs to get a private pilot license first.
This undertaking is very expensive for most Kenyans.
For the private pilot licence, one can get it within six months of training with a top school in the country charging up to KSh 800,000 for this.
Getting a commercial pilot licence can then take up to 12 months with some reputable schools charging from KSh 5 million to KSh 6 million.
To get considered for the course, one needs to have passed sciences, English and Geography.
There are also tests given by different schools before one can be admitted.
For example, Kenya School of Flying requires over Sh5 million in fees with other charges paid to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
Ninety-Nines Flying School charges about KSh 2,316,000 to train as a commercial pilot for a year.
Wilson Airport-based Flight Training Center charged over KSh 800,000 for a private license and a little over Sh2.8 million for a commercial license.
