There are many reputable public universities in Kenya. The best one for you depends on what your priorities are. These state-owned institutions can be ranked based on the ones being chartered and accredited, the number of courses offered, the volume of teaching staff, available facilities, or even the mode of operation.
Putting these factors together to decide which public University is the top can take time and effort. We had to conduct conscious research while making this review list.
It is a widespread opinion that the University of Nairobi is the best public University to attend in Kenya. Apart from being the oldest recognized University in Kenya, it also reeks of excellent education quality even than most private Kenyan institutions.
Still, the University of Nairobi is one of many options. Public universities like Maseno, Egerton, and Moi, among a few others, are worthy alternatives.
Our Top 8 Recommended Public Universities in Kenya
The public universities we have put together in this list are in no particular order, and they have been handpicked from different parts of Kenya. Some public universities are Nairobi, Embu, Nyeri, Njoro, Eldoret, Murang’a, and Maseno. In contrast, others have their campuses built in the nation’s Kitui, Kakamega, and Garissa regions.
In addition, we have referred to the admission requirements and tuition fees of these Kenya public universities (for those that have tuition fees)
This way, you can make a well-informed decision on where you’d want to further your education in Kenya.
Note: The tuition fee quoted here are for undergraduate programs. Visit the provided tuition page of these universities to learn about the fees of postgraduate and other programs.
1. University of Nairobi
- Tuition fee: 1,800-3,700 EUR and 1,800-3,700 EUR for local and international students, respectively
- University of Nairobi Admission Requirement Page
- University of Nairobi Tuition Details
The University of Nairobi opened its doors in 1970. It is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban metropolis of Nairobi. It is considered the most famous choice among enrollees looking for public institutions nationwide.
Here, students are offered courses and programs leading to an award in higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees, bachelor’s, master’s degrees, and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
With an admission rate of 40 to 50 percent, the University of Kenya provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students, including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aid and scholarships, study abroad, and exchange programs.
The public institution has campuses in Kikuyu, Parklands, Lower Kabete, Upper Kabete, Chiromo, and Kisumu.
Applicants with impressive past academic records and grades stand a higher chance of getting accepted into this 52-year-old Kenyan higher-education institution.
2. Egerton University
- Tuition fee: 750-1,800 EUR for both local and international students.
- Egerton University Admission Requirement Page
- Egerton University Tuition Details
Egerton University is the following recommended public University in Kenya for domestic and international students within the African nation.
It is equally a non-profit higher education with campuses established in Laikipia, Kisii, and Nakuru Town. Although the University has been operating since 1987, it has an enrollment range of 10,000 and 14,999 students, according to uniRank.
The educational institution offers programs that prepare students to be awarded degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees, bachelor’s, master’s degrees, and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
If this place piques your interest, keep in mind that the school has a selective admission policy. Still, enrollees are provided with several academic and non-academic facilities and services such s a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, and online courses.
3. Moi University
- Tuition fee: 750-1,800 EUR and 1,800-3,700 EUR for local and international students, respectively
- Moi University Admission Requirement Page
- Moi University Tuition Details
Moi University is one of the public institutions in Kenya that is officially recognized by the Commission of University Education of Kenya. Otherwise known as MU, the University has a large capacity of between 30,000 and 34,999 students.
It was established in 1984 as a non-profit public higher education institution. Located in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu, the school has branch campuses Eldoret West Campus, Nairobi, Kitale, Kericho, and Odero Akang’o.
This is a good choice if you pursue courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in a Kenyan public university.
The 38 years old Kenyan higher-education institution has an admission rate range of between 80 to 90 percent. This means that it is the most minor selective, and the admission process would be less complicated.
Here students enjoy extra services like housing, sports facilities, financial aid, scholarships, study abroad, and exchange programs, among other administrative services.
4. Murang’a University of Technology
- Tuition fee: Not quoted
- Murang’a University of Technology Admission Requirement Page
- Murang’a University of Technology Tuition Details
The Murang’a University of Technology is a relatively young public university in Kenya compared to other state-owned institutions.
It was founded in 2011 as a non-profit public higher education institution. Although it is a small coeducational Kenyan higher education institution with about 3,000 students (according to Unirank), the school offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study.
The Murang’a University of Technology, known as MUT, is one of the best options to consider if you are looking for cheap public universities in Kenya.
5. Maseno University
- Tuition fee: 0-750 EUR for both local and international students.
- Maseno University Admission Requirement Page
- Maseno University Tuition Details
Next on our list of best public universities in Kenya is Maseno University. It has been operating since 1991 as a non-profit public higher education institution in the small city of Maseno, Kisumu.
Students are offered several academic and non-academic facilities and services. Examples of these services include a library, sports facilities, and administrative services.
Applicants at Maseno University also stand an ample chance to qualify for available study abroad and exchange programs. The institution is o Officially recognized by the Commission for University Education of Kenya.
With a branch campus in Kisumu, Maseno University has an enrollment range of 4,000 to 4,999 students.
6. South Eastern Kenya University
- Tuition fee: Not quoted
- South Eastern Kenya University Admission Requirement Page
- South Eastern Kenya University Tuition Details
Apart from being an economy-friendly higher institution, South Eastern Kenya University is simply one of the best in the large town of Kitui in Kenya. The University started in 2008 and is officially recognized by the Commission for University Education of Kenya.
Popularly known as SEKU, South Eastern Kenya University is a coeducational Kenyan higher education institution that administers most of its courses and programs in English.
Students who pursue these programs would go on to be officially recognized as higher education degrees in several areas of study.
Like most other public universities, SEKU offers students academic and non-academic facilities and services.
7. University of Embu
- Tuition fee: Not Quoted
- University of Embu Admission Requirement Page
- University of Embu Tuition Details
The University of Embu was founded in the same year that the Murang’a University of Technology was established. The non-profit public higher education institution is located in Embu, where about 249,999 people live.
In this University, courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study are offered to both domestic and international students at a reasonable fee.
Otherwise known as UoEm, the University of Embu is another coeducational Kenyan higher education institution worth the consideration of any prospective student looking to study in a Kenyan public university.
It is accredited and officially recognized by the Commission for University Education of Kenya.
8. Kisii University
- Tuition fee: 750-1,800 EUR for both local and international students, respectively
- Kisii University Admission Requirement Page
- Kisii University Tuition Details
Kisii University is a 12 years old Kenyan higher-education institution with a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students’ past academic records and grades. The latter is an important area of review before applying for the University.
This explains why the admission range of this University is between 30 and 40 percent, which means it is a very selective public institution.
Established in 2010, the University now has a branch campus in Eldoret and is officially recognized by the Commission for University Education of Kenya.
Students are offered courses leading to higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees, bachelor’s, master’s degrees, and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
The University provides study areas like libraries, housing, sports facilities, financial aid and scholarships, and study abroad and exchange programs.
Final Remark
With more than 30 registered and approved public universities in different areas of the country, Kenya is one of the famous places that African students turn to for special programs or to study out of the country without breaking the bank.
All the universities reviewed in the above article are government institutions, and none are privately owned. We have ensured during the review process that all the universities offer all the courses offered in a higher learning institution.
If you are planning to pursue certification in Degree Courses, Diploma Courses, and Masters’s Courses, among other programs in a public university, then look no further than the institution reviewed here and select the one that meets your needs or qualities.
Got questions about application procedures? Feel free to indicate in the comments or contact our team. We are a few clicks away.