10 Best US Universities for Nigerian Students 2025

Last updated on May 22nd, 2023

Are you a Nigerian student looking for the best universities in America? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the best US universities for Nigerian students.

The USA is a top study destination for Nigerian students seeking an international degree. Nearly one million students from diverse backgrounds have migrated to the USA to pursue their education as of 2020. In addition, 12,000 out of the number are Nigerian students. You can be among this number, and knowing the best US universities for Nigerian students is paramount.

Without much ado, below are the top Universities for Nigerian Students who want to study in the USA.

Table of Contents

1 10 Best US Universities for Nigerian Students
2 What is the Average Cost of Studying in the USA for Nigerian Students?
3 What is the Average Cost of Living in the USA?
- 3.1 What are the Admission Requirements for Studying in the USA as a Nigerian Student?
4 Undergraduate Program Requirements
5 Postgraduate Program Requirements
6 Documents required for getting Admission into the Best US Universities for Nigerian Students
- 6.1 Frequently Asked Questions

10 Best US Universities for Nigerian Students

Below are the best US universities for Nigerian students and why you should choose any of them:

Harvard University
Columbia University
New York University
Cornell University
Yale University
Ohio State University, Columbus
University of California, Davis
University of California, Irvine
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

#1. Harvard University

Having been in existence for over 300 years, Harvard University is among the best US universities for Nigerian students and is globally prestigious for its outstanding teaching and research qualities. It offers over 3,700 courses to international and domestic students. However, the university’s acceptance rate is 3%, which is outrageously high. But with determination and an excellent academic track record, you can make it to the list.

#2. Columbia University

Next on the list of best US universities for Nigerian students is Columbia University. It has existed since 1754, although it started as King’s College in the USA. Thus, it is the fifth oldest school in the US, offering over 500 courses. It is a hub of education for Nigerian students and others from the US and worldwide.

The tuition fee is $51,640

#3. New York University

Another best US university for Nigerian students is New York University. It is a private establishment housing over 50,000 students. Aside from being the largest private university in the US, it has more than 200 programs for Nigerian students. In addition, NYU is highly selective due to the number of applications it receives each year.

The tuition fee is $50,464

#4. Cornell University

Established in 1865, Cornell University is among the top Ivy League universities. It is prominent for offering the best and premium-quality education to over 25,000 students worldwide. Besides, up to 22% of the students are international students, and a good number are from Nigeria. The most popular programs in the university include engineering, business, marketing, and management. In addition, Cornell University has a considerable retention rate of 97%, which is excellent.

The tuition fee is $57,222

#5. Yale University

This is a private research US university among the best for Nigerian students. It offers excellent quality education to students, having existed since 1701. Moreover, the population of students is more than 20,000, with 25% coming from outside the USA. Among the popular programs at Yale University are political science, biological sciences, economics, and political science.

#6. Ohio State University, Columbus

Established in 1870 as an agricultural and mechanical village, the Ohio State University is one of the best US universities for Nigerian students. It is home to over 50,000 students across its 15 colleges at its main 1,900-acre campus. Besides, OSU is prominent for accepting Nigerian students, with nearly 10,000 international students enrolled in different academic programs. According to the Times Higher Education, the institution ranks 70th in the world.

The tuition fee is $29,000

#7. University of California, Davis

This university, ranking among the best US universities for Nigerian students, is part of the University of California system. It is located in the city of Davis, in northern California’s Yolo County. UC delivers about 200-degree programs for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Having roughly 35,000 students, with a student-staff ratio of 18:1, gave the university a strong position on the international platform. In addition, the University of California, Davis, boasts four leading colleges. All year-one students have accommodation in the university and optionally move out in their second year to lodge in the university apartments or off-campus.

The tuition fee is $42,433

#8. University of California, Irvine

Founded in 1965 as part of the University of California, this university ranks among our best US universities for Nigerian students. With its ten institutions, UC Irvine is the only research university in the Association of American Universities (AAU). It also delivers over 192 degree programs to over 30,000 students. Around 10,000 international students enroll for admission each year, including Nigerian students.

The tuition fee is $41,752

#9. Carnegie Mellon University

This is a private research university resting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is among the 25 universities admitted to the World Economic Forum and Global University Leaders Forum. Besides, the university boasts many pioneering inventions and research in data, driverless cars, brain science, and startups. With around 22% of international students, it is also among the top-ranked global universities, pegging the 27th position on the Times Higher Education ranking of 2020.

The tuition fee is $53,910

#10. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

This is among the best US universities for Nigerian students. It boasts more than 8,700 international students, representing at least 50 countries. Besides, it is ranked among the top universities in the world, positioning itself on the 27th.

Tuition fee: $49,000

What is the Average Cost of Studying in the USA for Nigerian Students?

There is no fixed price for attending a university in the US. This is because each school has a unique fee, mostly depending on the university type and course you enroll in. The US has two types of universities – public or state universities and private universities. Public universities are owned and funded by the government, while individuals, organizations, or groups own private universities.

Studying at a public university in the US is far cheaper than the private one. However, the cheap cost does not mean the university does not have good standards. On the contrary, the US government mostly subsidized the prices so individuals who could not afford to attend a private university could still go to school and study their dream courses.

In that respect, the average cost of studying an undergraduate program in the US is around $26,290. For the master’s program, you should budget around $20,000 to $35,000, depending on the program. An MBA or medical program typically costs more than other US programs.

What is the Average Cost of Living in the USA?

Before determining the cost of living in the US, you must consider your lifestyle, choices, location, and other vital factors. Therefore, the annual cost of living in the US, aside from the rent, is around $25000.

What are the Admission Requirements for Studying in the USA as a Nigerian Student?

Studying abroad in the USA has its unique challenges. For instance, to be eligible, you must boast a convincing grade in your previous academic study. This includes high school diploma or undergraduate studies, as the case may be. The minimum GPA (Grade Point Average) is on a scale of 4. In addition, you must meet other admission requirements, including the undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Read to get more information about the requirements to Study in the USA as a Nigerian Student here.

Undergraduate Program Requirements

As a Nigerian student planning to study an undergraduate program in the US, you must have completed your higher education at a high school in Nigeria or elsewhere. In addition, you must pass standardized English language proficiency tests, such as PTE, IELTS, and TOEFL. Nevertheless, some universities are lenient in their conditions.

Postgraduate Program Requirements

To qualify for a postgraduate program in the US, you must meet the following criteria:

You must possess an undergraduate degree comparable to that of the US.
You must have a distinction in your undergraduate degree – first class and second class being the expected
Some universities may require that you take standardized tests such as the LSAT, GRE, or GMAT.

Documents required for getting Admission into the Best US Universities for Nigerian Students

If you choose to study in the US as a Nigerian student, you must provide the following documents as the basic requirements:

Passport
Passport-sized photos
Academic records with official transcripts
Standardized test results
English proficiency test results
Two academic letters of recommendation
Certification of Finances form
Research proposals, if required
Resume
Essays (depending upon the program chosen)
Bank letter demonstrating an obligatory level of finance for the first year of study and living expenses within the past three months

Frequently Asked Questions

Students from Nigeria apply to US schools, and they are among the international students. If you meet the requirements and provide the documentation necessary for admission, it will guarantee you admission to study in the USA. Besides, the United States of America is among the top study destination for Nigerian students.

Which is the cheapest university in the USA for Nigerian Students?

Many US universities offer affordable education. Some of the most affordable universities for Nigerian students include:

South Dakota State University, South Dakota – Bachelor’s degrees begin at $351 USD per year.
The City University of New York, New York – Bachelor’s degrees begin at 620 USD each year.
University of Central Florida, Florida – Bachelor’s degrees begin at $749 USD per year.
University of the People, California – Bachelor’s degrees begin at $1,215 USD per year.
Mercy College New York, New York – Bachelor’s degrees begin at $1,600 USD each year.
Western Michigan University, Michigan – Bachelor’s degrees begin at $1,920 USD per year.
West Virginia University, West Virginia – Bachelor’s degrees begin at $2,080 USD each year.
Cascadia Community College, Washington – Bachelor’s degrees begin at $2,320 USD per year.

Which university in the US accepts most international students?

Several institutions in the United States welcome a considerable number of international students. Some of these universities include:

New York University New York, NY 24% of Int’l students.
Boston University Boston, MA 22% of Int’l students.
Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA 22% of Int’l students.
Cardinal Stritch University Milwaukee, WI 21% of Int’l students.
Brandeis University Waltham, MA 20% of Int’l students.
Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FL19% of Int’l students.
Andrews University Berrien Springs, MI 18% of Int’l students.
Emory University Atlanta, GA 17% of Int’l students.
University of California, Davis Davis, CA 16% of Int’l students.
University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA16% of Int’l students.

Conclusion

There you have the best US universities for Nigerian students. You will need to check their websites for more information on how to go about your admission and other factors. Ensure to meet their criteria before applying to any of them so you do not waste your money.