10 Best Private Universities in Nairobi and the Courses They Offer
The majority of students, after finishing Form Four, join public universities in various parts of Kenya, like Kenyatta University, the University of Nairobi, and the Technical University, among others. They are normally a bit cheaper, and the government pays part of the fees. However, a small percentage of parents and students prefer to choose private universities, most of which are based in Nairobi County. Their fees are normally a bit higher, but as you know, everything that has its bad side normally has a better advantage.
Why Some Prefer Private Universities
They are known to offer quality education, unlike public universities, which sometimes face challenges like strikes due to a lack of payment for lecturers, students not getting exam results on time, and long graduation periods.
Due to the small number of students in private universities, they are easier to manage. They also have enough facilities, such as laboratories.
They offer stronger networking opportunities and industry links from major industries, which increase job chances after graduation.
Most of them, like USIU, have private hostels with better amenities, giving learners a conducive environment for studying. In public universities, accommodation is mostly not prioritized. As long as you have joined the institution, the rest is upon you; some students stay miles away and commute to school.
List of the Top Private Universities in Nairobi
1. Strathmore University
Strathmore is located on Ole Sangale Road in the Madaraka Estate area of Nairobi, Kenya, near popular residential and commercial areas like Lang’ata and Nairobi West.
It is best known for offering courses in Business, Law, IT, and Actuarial Science.
2. United States International University – Africa (USIU-Africa)
USIU is located in Roysambu. It is accessible via Lumumba Drive and Thika Superhighway. A main landmark is the Safari Business Arcade, which has hotels and entertainment joints for students. When you visit the area at night, you will find large groups of students enjoying themselves.
They offer an American-style education and have strong global exposure, as the students admitted come from various parts of the world. They offer dual accreditation (Kenya and the US) with a highly diverse student body from over 70 nationalities.
They specialize strongly in International Relations, Psychology, Pharmacy, and Film Production.
3. Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA)
CUEA has several branches, with the main campus located along Bogani East Road in the Lang’ata suburb, southwest of Nairobi. It is known for ethics-focused education and strong law programs. It emphasizes values-based education and ethical formation.
Popular courses include Bachelor of Laws, Education, Business Administration, Theology, and Social Sciences.
4. Daystar University
It has two main campuses: the Athi River Campus (Main Campus), located 40 km from Nairobi CBD along Nairobi–Mombasa Road, featuring extensive facilities and student housing, and the Nairobi Campus situated at the junction of Valley Road and Ngong Road.
The Athi River campus has modern classrooms, laboratories, a library, media studios, and on-campus accommodation that includes Imani, Grace, Patience, and Bethel hostels.
The Nairobi campus features a moot court and nursing skills lab and hosts various undergraduate and postgraduate programs but does not offer on-campus accommodation.
It stands out because it is known for producing top media personalities. Notable alumni include NMG Editor-in-Chief Joe Ageyo, who earned a PhD in Communication and Media Studies, and NMG Social Media Producer Mitchelle Namasaka, who holds a Bachelor’s in Communication and Public Relations.
5. KCA University
KCA University is the only university in East Africa founded by a professional body, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), in 1989. It was awarded a charter on March 1, 2013. Its main campus is located in Ruaraka, Nairobi.
It stands out because of its strong focus on accounting, finance, and ICT.
KCAU has been repeatedly recognized by the British Council and the Federation of Kenya Employers as a top private university for graduate employability, with a reported 90% employability rate within the first year of graduation.
7. Riara University
Riara University’s main campus is located in Nairobi, Kenya, along Raila Odinga Road (formerly known as Mbagathi Way).
As of March 19, 2025, Riara University was officially granted a charter by the President of Kenya, upgrading it to a fully accredited independent university. This confirms that its degrees meet rigorous national and international standards for academic excellence.
It offers strong law and business programs. It has partnerships with global leaders like IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, and the Mozilla Foundation.
Its programs are recognized by specialized bodies such as the Council of Legal Education (CLE) for Law and KASNEB for accounting.
8. Pan Africa Christian University
It is located along Lumumba Drive, Roysambu. It is known for its specialized focus on leadership development and its holistic Christian-based education.
PAC University has a deep institutional history, originally founded in 1978 and officially chartered in February 2008 by the late President Mwai Kibaki. As of January 2026, it remains among the 65 universities fully accredited and recognized by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
9. Africa International University
It is located in Karen, Nairobi. In recent years, it has significantly improved its standing, ranking 19th out of 62 universities in Kenya (up from 33rd the previous year). It stands out because of its strong postgraduate and theology programs.
10. Kiriri Women’s University of Science and Technology
Kiriri Women’s University of Science and Technology (KWUST) is distinguished as the only women-only university in East and Southern Africa, focusing specifically on bridging the gender gap in STEM and leadership.
The university is dedicated to empowering women in male-dominated fields such as Mathematics (Actuarial, Pure, and Statistics), Computer Science, and Business Administration.
Beyond academics, the university emphasizes personal growth through a “Signature Kiriri Experience” that includes leadership certification, professional mentoring, and a vibrant sports culture.
It is located in Githurai, Nairobi.
How to Choose the Best Private University in Nairobi
Before applying, consider:
✔ Accreditation by the Commission for University Education
✔ Course reputation and employability
✔ Tuition fees and scholarships
✔ Location and campus facilities
✔ Industry partnerships and internships
