10 Best Universities Offering Nursing Courses and Their Fees in Kenya
Nursing is, without a doubt, one of the most marketable courses in Kenya today. People are always demanding quality healthcare from professionals who have extensive knowledge about human diseases and treatments. If you are a Form Four graduate in Kenya and want to pursue this course, you are on the right track. By doing your university studies well and graduating with good grades, you will become highly marketable, and hence you will secure a job quickly. Qualified nurses are needed in hospitals, clinics, and international health organizations.
After opting to study nursing, choosing the right university is also very important. You need to consider factors such as accreditation, training facilities, clinical exposure, and most importantly, tuition fees.
In this detailed guide, we look at the top 10 universities offering nursing courses in Kenya and their fee structures.
Why Study Nursing in Kenya?
Nursing in Kenya is in high demand both locally and abroad. There are many Kenyans who are working in America as nurses, so this assures a student of securing a job in the future. The field also has a wide range of career options that include midwifery, pediatrics, and mental health.
What Nursing Entails
Nursing is a dynamic healthcare profession focused on the autonomous and collaborative care of individuals, families, and communities across all ages and settings.
Core nursing responsibilities involve patient care and assessment, clinical intervention, care coordination, patient advocacy and education, and system collaboration.
Common areas of nursing specialization include emergency and critical care, pediatrics and neonatal care, oncology and gerontology, psychiatric-mental health, and advanced practice (APRN).
Below are the top universities offering nursing courses in Kenya.
1. University of Nairobi (UoN)
Established as the Department of Advanced Nursing in 1968, it has trained over 50% of the healthcare professionals currently in Kenya’s health sector.
Students gain hands-on experience at Kenya’s largest referral hospital, providing exposure to complex clinical cases unmatched by other local institutions.
UoN’s nursing program is fully accredited by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK), and its graduates are highly regarded by employers across East Africa and internationally.
2. Kenyatta University (KU)
KU is another top-tier choice for nursing in Kenya, often favored for its modern infrastructure and its own dedicated teaching and referral hospital. It provides a highly competitive learning environment that balances academic rigor with practical clinical exposure.
KU students have direct access to one of the most modern 650-bed facilities in the region. This hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including an Imaging Centre (IMIC) and specialized units for oncology and renal care.
KU hosts a dedicated institute that offers NCK-approved higher diplomas in critical areas like oncology, critical care, and perioperative nursing.
Programs are fully accredited by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK). Graduates are known for high marketability both locally (Ministry of Health, private hospitals) and internationally (USA, UK, Canada, and Australia).
3. Moi University
Moi University is often ranked alongside UoN and KU as a powerhouse for nursing in Kenya. Based in Eldoret, it is specifically renowned for its community-oriented approach and its high-level partnership with major health organizations.
Students train at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), the second-largest referral hospital in Kenya.
Students have a chance to train at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), the second-largest referral hospital in Kenya.
The curriculum strongly emphasizes community health. Students spend significant time in rural healthcare facilities, ensuring they can practice competently in any environment, not just urban hospitals.
4. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is ranked as a top choice for nursing primarily due to its integration of modern technology and high-level research into healthcare training.
The university features an NCK-accredited Nursing Skills Lab equipped with high-fidelity mannequins, allowing students to master procedures in a controlled environment before clinical rotations.
Students have a chance to undergo intensive training at major facilities, including the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Thika Level 5 Hospital, ensuring high clinical exposure.
JKUAT offers one of the most diverse lists of master’s specializations, including critical care, oncology, and paediatric nursing, making it a hub for career advancement.
5. Maseno University
Maseno is unique for its “Nursing with IT” component, ensuring graduates are not only clinically competent but also proficient in modern health informatics and digital health systems.
Students have a chance to conduct their clinical rotations at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu, the largest referral facility in Western Kenya, offering diverse exposure to tropical medicine and complex surgeries.
The curriculum has a strong focus on community health nursing, with students participating in rural attachments to manage health challenges at the grassroots level.
6. Egerton University
Egerton University, based in Njoro and Nakuru, is a premier institution for nursing in Kenya, particularly noted for its high academic standards and rigorous grading system that prepares students for the toughest clinical environments.
Students benefit from a structured learning path: pre-clinical courses are taught at the serene Njoro Main Campus, while professional clinical training takes place at the Nakuru Town Campus.
Its proximity and partnership with Nakuru Level 5 Hospital (PGH) provide students with extensive hands-on experience in a high-traffic regional referral facility.
7. Mount Kenya University (MKU)
MKU has unique partnerships with health authorities in Germany and Austria, facilitating its nursing graduates to secure employment and specialized training in Europe.
MKU was among the first private universities in Kenya to be accredited for nursing. It successfully achieved its second major NCK re-accreditation in early 2025, confirming it meets rigorous national training standards.
To improve accessibility, MKU allows a flexible 40:20:20:20 payment plan, letting students pay their fees in four manageable installments throughout the semester.
8. Kenya Methodist University (KeMU)
Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) is a leading private Christian university in Kenya, highly respected for being the first private institution in the country to be accredited for training medical doctors, which extends a strong clinical foundation to its nursing programs.
Students undergo intensive training in both theory and clinical practice. KeMU has established strong linkages with major healthcare institutions for clinical rotations, including Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, Maua Methodist Hospital, and Chuka County Hospital.
All nursing programs are fully approved by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK). Graduates are eligible for registration with the NCK upon fulfilling all requirements.
9. Daystar University
Daystar University is a leading private Christian institution in Kenya, known for producing nurses with strong clinical skills and a unique focus on ethical, “servant-leadership” care.
The university features modern Nursing Skills Labs at both campuses, equipped with high-fidelity training tools to simulate real-world medical procedures.
Students have a chance to gain practical experience through MoUs with top-tier facilities like The Nairobi Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, AIC Kijabe, M.P. Shah, and Mbagathi Hospital.
10. Amref International University
Unlike general universities, AMIU’s curriculum is exclusively health-focused, with a unique emphasis on Primary Health Care (PHC) and community-based approaches to address Africa’s disease burden.
In May 2025, the university moved to a new 20-hectare campus in Ruiru, featuring modern simulation labs and research facilities designed for the next generation of health professionals.
Students gain practical experience through established MoUs with top facilities, including St. Mary’s Hospital, Nairobi West Hospital, The Karen Hospital, and Aga Khan University Hospital.
Fees for Nursing Across Universities
Fees for nursing courses in Kenya vary depending on whether a student is government-sponsored or self-sponsored. For the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN), government-sponsored students pay about KES 28,500 in the first year and around KES 26,000 in the following years, while self-sponsored students pay approximately KES 364,000 in the first year, with a total cost of about KES 1,436,000 for the full four-year course. BScN upgrading programs for registered nurses cost around KES 264,500 per year.
For specialized and postgraduate programs, the Diploma in Renal Nursing costs about KES 259,000 in total. A Master of Science in Nursing (MScN) costs approximately KES 421,000 in the first year and KES 446,000 in the second year, while a PhD in Nursing costs around KES 464,000 in the first year and can rise to about KES 509,000 in later years. Students should also budget for additional charges such as caution money (about KES 5,000) and other statutory fees like ICT, medical, and library services, which vary by institution.
