So, let’s get started…

Public university fees in Kenya – government sponsored students fee structure

Well, fees vary depending on the program you choose to pursue and the university that offers it.

In short, the fee varies from program to program and from university to university.

However, under the new funding model, the government funds individual students based on the level of financial assistance they require, so you will only be required to pay a certain percentage of the fees.

And one thing is certain: no one will miss out on the funding as long as you don’t miss out on the application.

That being so, here is the fee distribution per category (scholarship, loan, and household):

Band one

The government provides 70% of scholarships and 25% of loans in this category. As a result, your parent or guardian must pay the remaining 5% of the annual fees.

In addition, the government allocates you Kshs. 60,000 for upkeep.

Band two

You receive 60% in scholarships and 30% in loans, with your parent or guardian paying the remaining 10% of the total fees per year.

Furthermore, you also get Kshs 55,000 for upkeep.

Band three

You get 50% of the government scholarship and 30% of the loans, while your parent or guardian is responsible for the remaining 20% of the annual fees.

In addition, the government provides you with Kshs. 50,000 for upkeep.

Continuation….

Band four

In this category, you are eligible for 40% scholarships and 30% loans.

Consequently, your parent or guardian will pay the remaining 30% of the total fees per academic year.

Besides, the government allocates you Kshs. 45,000 for upkeep.

Band five

In this category, you receive 30% government scholarships and 30% loans, with your parent or guardian covering the remaining 40% of the annual fees.

On top of that, the government has also set aside Kshs. 40,000 for upkeep.

So, that is how the government has subsidized the public university fees in Kenya.

Public university fees in Kenya – cost of degree courses in public universities in Kenya

With that in mind, the costs of some degree courses at public universities in Kenya are listed below to give you an idea of how much you’ll pay.

On average, tuition fees range from Kshs. 122,000 to Kshs. 612,000 per academic year (depending on the course and university).

For the record, in comparison to the other degree courses, the bachelor of dental surgery and the bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery (MBChB) have the highest fees.

Cost of the bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery (MBChB) program – it costs between Kshs. 306,000 to Kshs. 612,000 as follows:

• Egerton University – Kshs. 337,940
• Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology – Kshs. 612,000
• Kenyatta University – Kshs. 612,000
• Kisii University – Kshs. 461,210
• Maseno University – Kshs. 612,000
• Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology – Kshs. 306,000
• Moi University – Kshs. 612,000
• University of Nairobi – Kshs. 539,750 (You can view full nairobi university fee structure for government sponsored students here)

Now if, for example, you enroll in a medicine degree course at Moi University and are placed in the first category (band 1), the fee will be as follows:

Government scholarships – 70% of the total fee per year, which is Kshs. 428,400

Loans – 25% of the total fee per year, Kshs. 153,000

And lastly, your parent/guardian will pay 5% of the total annual fee, which is Kshs. 30,600.

So, this formula applies to all other courses and categories to determine how much you will have to pay after receiving the government scholarship/subsidy and the HELB loan.

Degree courses and their costs continuation…

Bachelor of dental surgery fees (per academic year)

• Moi University – Kshs. 612,000
• University of Nairobi – Kshs. 512,050

Cost of engineering degree courses (per academic year)

• Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) – Kshs. 336,600
• University of Nairobi – Kshs. 374,850
• Technical University of Kenya(TUK) – Kshs. 300,000
• Technical University of Mombasa(TUM) – Kshs. 302,940
• University of Eldoret – Kshs. 336,600

Bachelor of pharmacy fees per academic year

• Kenyatta University – Kshs. 428,400
• Maseno University – Kshs. 428,400
• University of Nairobi – Kshs. 413, 950
• Kisii University – Kshs. 418,770

Bachelor of law fees per year

For the cost of the law degree program, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology is the most expensive at Kshs. 238,208, while the University of Embu, Chuka, Maseno, Kenyatta, and Moi Universities are the cheapest at Kshs. 183,600.

• Jomo Kenyatta University Of Agriculture And Technology – Kshs. 238,208
• Kisii University – Kshs. 225,335
• University Of Nairobi – Kshs. 221,850
• Egerton University Kshs. 214,700
• Chuka University – Kshs. 183,600
• Kenyatta University – Kshs. 183,600
• Maseno University – Kshs. 183,600
• Moi University – Kshs. 183,600
• University of Embu – Kshs. 183,600

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How much is university fees in Kenya -More degree courses and their costs…

Bachelor of Science in clinical medicine fees

• Egerton University – Kshs. 307, 340
• Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology – Kshs. 330,480
• Kirinyaga University – Kshs. 275,400
• Kisii University – Kshs. 316,710
• Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology – Kshs. 275,400
• Meru University of Science and Technology – Kshs. 324,000
• University of Kabianga – Kshs. 550,800

Bachelor of education (early childhood development education)

The cost of B.Ed in ECDE ranges between Kshs. 183,600 and Kshs. 283,135.

Here is the cost at some of the universities offering it:

• Chuka University – Kshs. 183,600
• Egerton University – Kshs. 214, 700
• Kenyatta University – Kshs. 183,600
• University of Nairobi – Kshs. 223,550
• Pwani University – Kshs. 183,600
• University of Kabianga – Kshs. 183,600
• Kisii University – Kshs. 283,185

Bachelor of Arts and social sciences courses are among the cheapest programs, with the cost ranging between Kshs. 135,000 and Kshs. 190,000.

Some of these courses include:

University of Nairobi

• Bachelor of Arts – Kshs. 160,653
• Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology – Kshs.189,550
• Bachelor of Arts in International Studies – Kshs. 189,550
• Bachelor of Arts (Gender and Development Studies) – Kshs. 175,950

Kenyatta University

• Bachelor of Arts (Gender and Development Studies) – Kshs. 153,000
• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) – Kshs. 153,000
• Bachelor of Arts – Kshs. 153,000
• Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Administration – Kshs. 153,000

Technical University of Kenya

• Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy – Kshs. 135,000

Public university fees in Kenya – wrap up

So, that’s the public university fees in Kenya.

Hopefully, after reading this article, you now have a clear understanding of how much it will cost you to attend public universities in Kenya.

Also, remember to apply for government scholarships and loans as soon as you receive your admission letter via the HEF website.

ALSO READ:

Government sponsored students fee structure in Kenya 

Cost of degree courses in Kenya [Current Intake]

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Murang’a University fee structure [Updated]

New Chuka University fees structure for government sponsored students

Kenyatta university fees structure for self sponsored students

The post Public university fees in Kenya [2026] appeared first on Kenya Education Guide.

Read on if you are preparing to join university and you want to have an idea of the investment needed.

Cost of degree courses in Kenya

Fee for medicine related degree in Kenya

Cost of medicine degree in Kenya

On average you pay Kshs. 315000 to Kshs.635000 per year (depending on the university you’ll be studying at).

Here is a sampling of the fees at some of the universities offering the course:

• Medicine and surgery fees in the University of Nairobi-  Ksh630,000.00 every year
• Medicine and surgery fees in KU- Kshs. 612,000.00
• Medicine and surgery at JKUAT- Kshs. 612,000.00
• Maseno University Medical Degree programme- Kshs. 612,000.00
• Moi University-Kshs.612000.00
• Mount Kenya university-Kshs. Sh510,000.00
• Uzima University-Kshs. Sh592,500.00
• Kisii University -Kshs.461,120.00
• Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology(MUST)- Kshs.306,000.00

Cost of Dentistry degree in Kenya

• University of Nairobi Dental school- Kshs.576000.00
• Moi University Dental school-Kshs. 612000.00

Cost of degree in pharmacy in Kenya

• Kenyatta University–Kshs.428,400.00 (per year)
• Maseno University-Kshs.428,400.00 (per year)
• Kisii University-Kshs. 418,770.00(per year)
• University of Nairobi-Kshs. 413,950.00 (annually)

Cost of engineering degree in Kenya

• University of Nairobi-Kshs. 374,850.00 (annually)
• JKUAT- Kshs. 336,600.00 (annually)
• University of Eldoret- Kshs. 336,600.00 (annually)
• Technical University of Kenya(TUK) – Kshs. 300,000 per year
• Technical University of Mombasa(TUM) – Kshs. 302,940 per year

Cost of law degree in Kenya

For a law degree, the cost is as follows in some of the universities offering the programme:

1. MKU – Kshs. 170,000.00 annually
2. Moi University-Kshs. 183,600.00 (per year)
3. Egerton University-Kshs. 214,700.00 (per year)
4. University of Nairobi-Kshs. 221,850.00 (annually)
5. Kenyatta University-Kshs. 183,600.00 (per year)
6. Daystar University- Kshs. 335,000.00 (per year)
7. Africa Nazarene University- Kshs. 269,250.00 (per year)
8. Kabarak University- Kshs. 256,250.00 (per year)

Cost of degree courses in Kenya continued

Cheap degree courses in Kenya

Overall, it appears that some of cheapest degree courses in Kenya are Arts and social sciences.

Here is a sampling of the few per year for a selection of these degree courses.

Cost of a degree in journalism in Kenya

Public universities

Cost of doing a degree in journalism at Kisii University- Kshs. 153,000.00 per year

Cost of doing a degree in journalism at Maasai Mara University – Kshs. 153,000.00 per year

Cost of doing a degree in journalism at Meru University (of science & technology)- Kshs. 153,000.00 per year

Cost of doing a degree in journalism at University of Nairobi- Kshs. 240,550.00 per year

Cost of doing a degree in journalism at Egerton- Kshs. 233,440.00 per year

Cost of doing a degree in journalism at Kenyatta University- Kshs. 204000.00 per year

Cost of doing a degree in journalism at JKUAT-Kshs. 204000.00 per year

Cost of doing a degree in journalism at Private universities

Annual fee at MKU (Mt Kenya University)- Kshs. 105,000.00 per year

Annual fee at Zetech University- Kshs. 142,600.00 per year

Annual fee at KCA University- Kshs. 133,790.00 per year

Other cheap degree courses in Kenya

Bachelor of Arts-International Relations

Cost of doing a Bachelor of Arts-International Relations at University of Nairobi- Kshs. 539,000 (total so fee per semester is about Kshs. 67,400.00)

Cost of doing a Bachelor of Arts-International Relations at Chuka University- fee per semester is between Kshs. 34000.00 to Kshs.50000.00

Bachelor of Education-Early Childhood Education

Cost of doing a Bachelor of Education-Early Childhood Education at Kibabii University- fee per year is about Kshs.55,000.00

Cost of doing a Bachelor of Education-Early Childhood Education at Kenyatta University- fee per year is about Kshs.70,000.00

Bachelor of Education(Options: Science, Arts, Primary Education, and Special Needs)

Cost of doing a Bachelor of Education At Embu University- fee per year is about Kshs.42,000.00

Cost of doing a Bachelor of Education At Kirinyaga University- fee per year is about Kshs.46,000.00

Bachelor in Commerce(BCom) Options: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Supply chain management, Entrepreneurship option, Human Resource Management, and Insurance/risk management)

Cost of doing a Bachelor in Commerce(BCom) At Kenyatta University – fee per year is about Kshs.75,000.00

Cost of doing a Bachelor in Commerce(BCom) At Pwani University – fee per year is about Kshs.50,000.00

Cost of doing a Bachelor in Commerce(BCom) At Meru University – fee per year is about Kshs.40,000.00

More about cost of degree courses in Kenya

Remember that while what we have indicated is the fee in total, parents/sponsors/guardians are only required to pay a small fraction(depending on which category you, the learner, is placed into by the HEF government funding system for higher education in Kenya).

Below is a further analysis showing how much you or your household will contribute (after the government portion is factored in)

Cost of degree courses in Kenya- further analysis

Dental Surgery degree

Per year total

Moi University- Kshs. 612,000.00 per year

University of Nairobi (UoN)- Kshs 521, 840. 00 per year

Per year parent(own) contribution- assuming you’re put in the needy category

Moi University- Kshs. 42,840.00 per year

University of Nairobi (UoN)- Kshs.36,473.50 per year

The government funds the balance in form of capitation and scholarship and loans

Bachelors degree in Law(LL.b)

Per year total

Moi University- Kshs. 183600.00 per year

Maseno University- Kshs. 183600.00 per year

Embu University- Kshs. 183600.00 per year

Chuka University- Kshs. 183600.00 per year

Per year parent(own) contribution- assuming you’re put in the needy category

Moi University- Kshs. 12852.00 per year

Maseno University- Kshs. 12852.00 per year

Embu University- Kshs. 12852.00 per year

Chuka University- Kshs. 12852.00 per year

The governments funds the balance in form of capitation and scholarship and loans

Bachelors of Pharmacy

Per year total

University of Nairobi (UoN)- Kshs 413,950.00 per year

Per year parent(own) contribution- assuming you’re put in the needy category

University of Nairobi (UoN)- Kshs 28, 976.50 per year

Bachelors of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery

Per year total

Egerton University -Kshs 312,340.00 per year

Per year parent(own) contribution- assuming you’re put in the needy category

University of Nairobi (UoN)- Kshs 21, 863.80 per year

Bachelor of Science (BSc.) Nursing

Per year total

Moi University -Kshs 275,400.00 per year

South Eastern University-Kshs 275,400.00 per year

Pwani University-Kshs 275,400.00 per year

Embu University-Kshs 275,400.00 per year

Kabianga University-Kshs 275,400.00 per year

Murang’a University of Technology(MUT) -Kshs 275,400.00 per year

Kenyatta University-Kshs 275,400.00 per year

Kaimosi Friends University-Kshs 275,400.00 per year

Maseno University-Kshs 275,400.00 per year

Masinde Muliro University-Kshs 275,400.00 per year

Maasai Mara University-Kshs 275,400.00 per year

Kirinyaga University-Kshs 275,400.00 per year

Kibabii University-Kshs 275,400.00 per year

Chuka University-Kshs 275,400.00 per year

Per year parent(own) contribution- assuming you’re put in the needy category

In all the above universities- Kshs 19,278.00 per year

Degree in education(Arts)

Per year total

KU- Sh183, 600

University of Nairobi (UoN)- Kshs Sh223, 550.00 per year

Moi University – Kshs. 244, 800.00 per year

Egerton University –Kshs. 214, 700.00.00 per year

Per year parent(own) contribution- assuming you’re put in the needy category

• KU- Kshs. 12, 852.00 per year
• University of Nairobi (UoN)- Kshs 15,648.50 per year
• Moi University – Kshs. 17,136.00 per year

There are several other public universities teaching the course at Kshs.12,852.00/year including:

• Kaimosi Friends university
• Garissa university
• Chuka university
• Kibabii university
• Kirinyaga university
• Maasai Mara university
• Laikipia university
• Bomet university

Architecture Building Construction

Per year total

TUM (Technical University of Mombasa)- Kshs.275,400.00

Per year parent(own) contribution- assuming you’re put in the needy category

• TUM- Kshs. 19,278.00 per year
• JKUAT- Kshs 25,704.00 per year
• UoN – Kshs. 24,335.50 per year
• KU- Kshs. 21,420.00 per year

Of course, for private universities, you can only get a loan so you might have to dig deeper into your pockets.

Indeed, it is safe to say you could have to pay everything from your coffers, if you’re studying at a private university because the loan could be a 50-50 thing.

And don’t forget you may be even luckier if you’re put into the vulnerable or extremely needy categories(there’s 100% funding-loans and scholarships for these two groups)

Source: KUCCPS website

ALSO READ:

Government sponsored students fee structure in Kenya

All you need to Know about new HEF funding website

The post Cost of degree courses in Kenya [2026 Intake] appeared first on Kenya Education Guide.

Well, below is our updated Government sponsored students fee structure in Kenya for degree and KUCCPS diploma/certificates..

Government sponsored students fee structure in Kenya for degree courses (How much is University fees in Kenya)- new funding model (public university fees in Kenya) and government sponsored students fee structure for diploma 2023 / 2024

The amount of funding you will receive as a university student under the new government funding model for higher education in Kenya depends on your level of need.

In other words, the government will fund you depending on which category of need are you.

Just in case you’re wondering what that exactly means, below is the new categorization that the government is using to determine how much of the fees it will subsidize for you and how much you need to pay yourself..

New university fees Kenya – The categories the government uses to determine how much funding it will subsidize for you (How much does KUCCPS pay for degree students)

Band one (Previously called Vulnerable students)

You get 70% worth of Scholarships -25 % in Loans. That means that your parents/guardians will shoulder the remaining 5% of your annual fees cost

The government will additionally allocate you in this band Kshs.60,000.00 for upkeep.

Band two (Previously called Extremely needy students)

You get 60% worth of Scholarships -30 % in Loans. That means that your parents/guardians will shoulder the remaining 10% of your annual fees cost

The government will additionally allocate you in this band Kshs.55,000.00 for upkeep.

Band three(Previously called Needy students)

You get 50% worth of Scholarships -30 % in Loans. That means that your parents/guardians will shoulder the remaining 20% of your annual fees cost

The government will besides allocate you some Kshs.50,000.00 for upkeep.

Band four(Previously Less needy students)

You get 40% worth of Scholarships -30 % in Loans. That means that your parents/guardians will shoulder the remaining 30% of your annual fees cost

The government will besides allocate you some Kshs.45,000.00 for upkeep.

Band five

You get 30% worth of Scholarships -30 % in Loans. That means that your parents/guardians will shoulder the remaining 40% of your annual fees cost

The government will on top of that allocate you some Kshs.40,000.00 for upkeep.

Remember that the government has locked out private universities out of the funding program and you’re only eligible for HELB loan and not scholarship/subsidy if you choose to study in a private university such as MKU.

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To put that into context, below is the fee structure for government sponsored student at Chuka University under the new higher education funding model in Kenya.. helb new funding model

How much does university cost in Kenya (new university fees Kenya) -new funding model (new funding model of education)

Well, it depends on the degree course you’re taking and where you will be taking your degree (the university you’ll be studying in)…

Below is the cost of various popular degrees to give you a better idea of what you might have to pay for your Degree program:

These are just a few of the degree courses whose costs are published by KUCCPS- You can just go to the KUCCPS portal to check what the degree you have in mind will cost you.

Government sponsored students fee structure in Kenya for KUCCPS diploma courses (and KUCCPS Certificate courses in Kenya)

If you’re going to a public TVET college (including National Polytechnics), the tuition fee has been standardized to Kshs.67189 per year (you have to budget for your exams and accomodation and meals separately).

The breakdown is typically as follows:

Term 1 -Kshs.35220

Term 2-Kshs.31969

Total -Kshs. 67189

Other fee to budget for when joining:

• KUCCPS Fee
• Registration
• Student ID
• Student levy
• Essentials for your course- you may need to buy things like laptops, dust coats, measuring tools, etc. depending on  the course you have been called for.

The amounts here vary so reach out to your institution and seek clarification.

Please do not forget that the government may again fund you as follows:

So, if for example you are grouped in the needy or less-needy category, the fee will be as below:

Government scholarships- 32% of the above fee per year

Loans- 48% of the above fee per year

That means that you (your parents/sponsors) pay 20% of the above fee per year(20% of 67189 is about Kshs.13438)

Again be sure to apply for funding as soon as you get your admission letter via the HEF education Funding website -no categorization here (everyone joining a government college is eligible).

Still there, I hope you know that there’s no scholarship for you if you’re going to a private college- there you can only apply for loans(no grants whatsoever)

And as I had told you, meals, hostels, exams, attachment fee, and such are on you so budget for them separately.

What more do you need to know

The government has increased its budgetary allocation for universities from KES54 billion (US$396 million) in the current fiscal year to KES84 billion (US$615.8 million) in the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Of course, this increase in funding will allow the government to provide more financial assistance to you when you become a university student.

Now, in addition to government funding, you may also be able to apply for bursaries from complementary funding agencies, such as county governments, national government constituency development funds, and private companies/foundations.

PS: Please note that it is still very early days so it is not very clear how much the government will be paying for you under each category so we may have to wait just a little bit to be sure about how much will be the subsidy, if you qualify.

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