By Isaac Blessings
Over the years, Kenya has consistently offered quality education that is accepted globally. Kenyan students no longer have to search for universities abroad to pursue their higher education. There has been an immense increase of private universities in Kenya – the number of chartered private universities is 30 with a similar number operating with Letter of Interim Authority (LIA). If you’re looking to study in a private university you’ll need to pick from the best. In this article we take a look at the top ten private universities in Kenya as of 2021.
Kindly note that this list is not in any particular order.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (USIU)
USIU-Africa is one of the best private universities in Kenya. Established in 1989, the university has a population of more than 7,000 students who are enrolled in different programs. The institution offer certificates, diplomas, Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Masters and Doctorate degrees in several areas of study. USIU is the only university in Kenya with dual accreditation from the United States and Kenya. All courses in the university are taught in English only since about 15 percent of the student population comes from 69 different countries.
The school enrols students with a minimum of C+ in KCSE for the undergraduate courses. Its major faculties include the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Chandaria School of Business and the School of Science and Technology.
In 2020, UniRanks ranked USIU-Africa as the 8th best university in Kenya making it one of the top institutions to consider when looking for a place to study.
LOCATION.
The school is located along USIU Road, off Thika superhighway (Exit 7), Nairobi.
Call 0730116690 for any queries.
Also Read: African Countries with The Best Education Systems
STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 2002, Strathmore University is one of the best institutions accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), Kenya. The school has over 4,000 students taking different programs such as Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Masters and Doctorate degrees. The school offers both in person and long distance virtual learning as well as financial aid and scholarships to the less privileged students.
The university is one of the private universities with the most number of program offers. Some of the faculties offered include Faculty of Information Technology, School of Graduate studies and School of Accountancy.
In 2020, Strathmore was ranked as the 4th best university in Kenya and 3,515 in the world by UniRanks.
LOCATION
Strathmore University is located in Karen, along Ole Sangale road, Nairobi.
For any queries call 0703034000.
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EAST AFRICA (CUEA)
Catholic University of East Africa first opened its doors in early 1989 and is affiliated with the Catholic Church. The university has a relatively small overall population of slightly over 5,000 students and is verified by the Commission for University Education, Kenya. The university has its main campus situated in Nairobi but it also has branches in Kisumu and Eldoret.
It offers different programs such as Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Masters and PHD degrees in several areas of study. Some of the major faculties include the Faculty of Theology, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of commerce and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
It was ranked as the 13th best university in Kenya in 2020 by UniRanks making it one of the best institutions in Kenya.
LOCATION
Catholic University of East Africa is located along Bogani east road, off Magadi road, next to Galleria mall, 23 km from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi.
Call 0709691000 for more information.
Also Read: Top 15 Best Ranking Universities in Africa 2021
St. PAUL’S UNIVERSITY (SPU)
St. Paul’s University was established in 1989 as a not-for-profit university. The university has an affiliation with the protestant side of Christianity just as its name ‘St. Pauls’ suggests. It has steadily grown over the years and has a total population of over 3,000 students enrolled under different programs. Some of the programs include Certificate, Diploma, Associate’s, Bachelors and Masters Degrees.
SPU offers both physical classes and long distance learning as well as financial aids and scholarships to needy students in the school. Apart from having its headquarters in Limuru, SPU has branches in Nairobi, Kapsabet and Maseno. The university is accredited by the Commission for University Education and was ranked 11th best university in Kenya by UniRanks in 2020.
LOCATION
It is located in Riara Ridge, Limuru, Kiambu County Kenya.
MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY (MKU)
The biggest private university in east Africa, MKU was co-founded by one Prof. Simon Gicharu in 1996 and established as an institution in 2008. The university has a total population of over 52,000 students both self and government sponsored. It offers different programs including Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees, Masters and PHD studies in different fields. The university offers the option of in person learning, evening classes or long distance virtual learning.
Its main campus is located in Thika, Kiambu. However, it has branches in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kitale, Lodwar, Kakamega, Nkubu Meru and Kigali Rwanda. The university is accredited by the Commission for University Education, Kenya and was ranked by UniRank in 2020 as the 7th best University in Kenya.
LOCATION
The university is located along General Kago Road, Thika, Kiambu County Kenya.
Call 0702140074 for any queries.
DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY
Daystar University was established in 1989 making it one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in Kenya. The university is a Christ-centered non-denominational university with a total population of slightly over 1,000 students who are enrolled under different faculties. Some of the programs in the school include a Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor’s, Masters and Doctorate Degrees. It has an 80-90% admission rate and offers financial aid to the less privileged students in the university.
The school is accredited by the Commission for University Education and was ranked 16th best university in Kenya by UniRank in 2020. Some of the faculties offered in the university include Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Science and Technology.
LOCATION
Daystar University main campus is located along Mombasa road at Athi-river, some 40 km to the south-east of Nairobi City.
Call 0709972000 for any inquiries.
KABARAK UNIVERSITY
Kabarak University first opened its doors in 2002 as a non-profit private university in Kenya. The university sits in a 600 acre land with over 2,000 enrolled students under different programs. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Christian Church and has been noted as one of the best universities to acquire a business, engineering or law degree in Kenya.
The school offers different programs including Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Masters and Doctorate Degrees. It is accredited by the Commission for University Education, Kenya and has branches in Nakuru and Nairobi cities. In 2020, it was ranked as the 22nd best university in Kenya by UniRank.
LOCATION
The university is situated along the Nakuru – Eldamaravine road, Nakuru county Kenya.
Call 051 343234 for any enquiries.
AFRICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY (ANU).
Africa Nazarene University began its operation in 1993 and is affiliated with the Evangelical Christian Mission Church. The private university recently surpassed a total number of 1,000 enrolled students under various programs. It is chartered by the Commission for University Education, Kenya and is regarded as one of the best universities in Kenya to acquire a Business, Arts or Social science degree.
Some of the programs in the school include a Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor’s, Masters and PHD degrees. The departments and faculties available are Faculty of Education, Law school, School of Business and department of Computer and Information Technology (IT).
LOCATION
The university is situated in Karen, along Magadi road, Nairobi.
Call 0703970525 for any queries.
AFRICA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (AIU)
Africa International University is one of the most recent universities in Kenya. Founded in 1983 and established in 2011, AIU is accredited by the Commission for University Education and is affiliated with the Evangelical Christian Church. The university offers different programs such as Bachelor’s, Masters and Doctorate Degrees. Some of the notable faculties available are School of Theology, School of Business and economics, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Social Sciences.
The university has branches in Nairobi CBD, Eldoret, Kisumu and Maseno. Despite being one of the smallest universities, AIU was ranked as the 33rd best university in Kenya by UniRank in 2020.
LOCATION
Africa International University is located in Karen, along Rhino Park Close, Nairobi.
Call 0715247540 for any queries and more information.
KCA UNIVERSITY
KCA University was founded in 1989 as Kenya College of Accountancy by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya with the objective of improving the quality of accountancy and financial management training in Kenya. It first opened its doors as a university in 2007 and has rapidly grown to have a total student population of over 15,000 students enrolled in the school. The university offers different programs such as Associate’s, Bachelors and Masters Degrees as of 2021. The university admission rate is 60 to 70% and it also offers financial aid and scholarships to its needy students. Some of the faculties available in the school include Faculty of Education and Arts, Faculty of Computing and Information Management and School of Professional programs.
KCA is fully accredited by the Commission for University Education, Kenya and was ranked as the 15th best university in Kenya by UniRank in 2020.
LOCATION
KCA University is located on Thika Road in Ruaraka, Nairobi Kenya.
Contact 020 2211263 for any enquiries.
