United States International University–Africa (USIU-Africa) is a private university in Kasarani, Nairobi, accredited in Kenya by the Commission for University Education and in the United States by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Students from more than 55 countries study its undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programmes. This guide covers its history, campus, schools, courses, admission, fees, alumni and contacts.
History and founding
USIU-Africa was founded in 1969 as the Nairobi campus of United States International University, based in San Diego. In 1999 the Nairobi campus became a separate university under its current name. In 2001 USIU in San Diego merged with the California School of Professional Psychology to form Alliant International University, while USIU-Africa continued independently in Kenya.
Its dual accreditation in Kenya and the United States is one of its distinguishing features, and the university has more than 25,000 alumni. As of 2025 it is led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi.
Campus and location
The campus is in the Roysambu neighbourhood of Kasarani, about 12 km by road north-east of Nairobi’s central business district, off Thika Road. Its location near Thika Road and the Northern Bypass makes it reachable by matatu from most of Nairobi.
Reputation
USIU-Africa is known for its international student body, its American-style credit system and its business, international relations, psychology, journalism and film programmes. The US accreditation allows credits to be recognised more easily when students transfer or study abroad.
Schools and popular courses
The university has six schools:
- Chandaria School of Business
- School of Science and Technology
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- School of Communication, Cinematic and Creative Arts
- School of Graduate Studies
Undergraduate programmes include BSc Finance, BSc Accounting, BSc International Business Administration, BSc Hotel and Restaurant Management, BSc Tourism Management, Bachelor of Global Leadership and Governance, BA Psychology, BA International Relations, BA Criminal Justice Studies, BA Journalism, BA Film Production and Directing, BA Animation, BSc Software Engineering, BSc Data Science and Analytics, BSc Applied Computer Technology, BSc Information Systems Technology, Bachelor of Pharmacy, BSc Nursing, BSc Applied Biochemistry and BSc Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Graduate options include the MBA, MSc Information Systems Technology, MA Clinical Psychology, MA International Relations and doctorates in psychology, business administration, international relations and information systems.
Admission requirements
Kenyan applicants usually need a KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) for a bachelor’s degree, with subject requirements for programmes such as pharmacy, nursing and the sciences. USIU-Africa also accepts international qualifications such as A-levels, the IB and US high-school diplomas. USIU-Africa is not among the universities listed on the KUCCPS placement portal, so students apply directly.
Fees
USIU-Africa charges per credit unit. Its official 2025–2026 fee schedule gives these per-semester totals for Kenyan students:
| Programme | Tuition | Total per semester (KSh) |
|---|---|---|
| BSc Finance / IBA / Accounting | 12 units @ 11,000 | 147,750 |
| BA International Relations / Psychology | 12 units @ 11,000 | 147,750 |
| BA Criminal Justice Studies | 12 units @ 11,000 | 150,750 |
| BSc Hotel and Restaurant Management | 12 units @ 11,000 | 158,450 |
| BA Film / Animation / Journalism | 182,450 | |
| BSc Applied Computer Technology, IST, Data Science, Software Engineering, AI and Robotics | 15 units @ 13,500 | 220,750 |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy | 24 units @ 14,000 | 362,450 |
| BSc Nursing | 383,450 |
How the per-unit fee works
Tuition at USIU-Africa is the number of credit units you take multiplied by the unit rate for your programme, plus fixed charges for the semester. For a BSc Finance student taking 12 units at KSh 11,000, tuition is KSh 132,000; the remaining KSh 15,750 of the KSh 147,750 total covers the semester’s other charges. A computing student taking 15 units at KSh 13,500 pays KSh 202,500 in tuition, and a pharmacy student taking 24 units at KSh 14,000 pays KSh 336,000.
This means your bill changes with your course load. Taking fewer units in a semester lowers that semester’s bill but can lengthen your degree, while taking more units raises it. The university’s academic year runs in fall, spring and summer semesters, so check how many semesters you plan to register for when you budget for a full year.
East African students pay KSh 8,000 more per semester for medical insurance, and students from outside East Africa pay higher unit rates. Students at accredited private universities can apply to HELB for loans; see government-sponsored vs self-sponsored fees for how public-university funding differs.
How to apply
- Check the programme’s minimum KCSE mean grade and subject grades on the university website.
- Prepare copies of your KCSE certificate or result slip, national ID or birth certificate, and passport photos.
- Apply online through the university’s admissions portal and pay the application fee shown there.
- Accept your offer and pay the first-semester fee only into the accounts on the offer letter.
- Apply to HELB for a loan as soon as you have your admission letter.
How fees compare with other universities
Self-sponsored fees for a Bachelor of Commerce or similar business degree at universities we cover:
| University | Business degree fee (KSh) | Billing period |
|---|---|---|
| University of Nairobi | 216,000 | Per year |
| Kenyatta University | 183,600 | Year 1 |
| JKUAT | 168,967 | Per year |
| USIU-Africa (BSc Finance/Accounting) | 147,750 | Per semester |
| Strathmore (most degrees) | 230,000–270,000 | Per semester |
Public universities bill per year, while Strathmore and USIU-Africa bill per semester, so multiply private-university figures by the number of semesters in your year when comparing.
Accommodation
USIU-Africa has on-campus student residences, and many students rent in nearby Roysambu, Kasarani, Zimmerman and along Thika Road. Book early, as on-campus rooms fill quickly at the start of the fall semester.
Notable alumni
USIU-Africa graduates include Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, Bidco Africa chief executive Vimal Shah, former Kenya Ports Authority managing director Catherine Mturi-Wairi, businessman Kris Senanu, MP Joseph Cherorot and the late technology entrepreneur Njeri Rionge, co-founder of Wananchi Online.
Contacts
USIU-Africa, off Thika Road, Roysambu, Kasarani, Nairobi. Website: usiu.ac.ke. Pay fees only into the accounts listed on the official fee schedule or your invoice.
Related
University and TVET fees hub · KUCCPS cut-off points · School fees hub
Frequently asked questions
How much is USIU per semester?
From KSh 147,750 (business and social sciences) to KSh 383,450 (Nursing) for Kenyan students in 2025/26.
How much is pharmacy at USIU-Africa?
KSh 362,450 per semester for Kenyan students in 2025/26.
Is USIU-Africa accredited in the US?
Yes. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) as well as Kenya’s Commission for University Education.
Where is USIU-Africa?
In Roysambu, Kasarani, about 12 km north-east of Nairobi’s city centre off Thika Road.
When was USIU-Africa founded?
In 1969, as the Nairobi campus of United States International University; it became a separate university in 1999.
Sources: Wikipedia, USIU-Africa, USIU-Africa fee schedule 2025–2026. Last updated October 2026.
