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Looking for the best universities in the USA for Nigerian students? Whether you’re aiming for Ivy League schools or renowned public universities, the USA offers excellent opportunities for Nigerian students to thrive. In the 2023/2024 academic year, over 20,000 Nigerian students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities, marking a 13.5% increase from the previous year. Some of the top universities in USA for Nigerian students include the University of the People, Arkansas State University, Ashland University, and Boston University. From scholarships to student support services, the USA provides a welcoming environment to help you achieve your educational goals. Curious to read more? Let’s dig a little deeper into the best universities in the USA for Nigerian students in 2025.
Top Universities in USA for Nigerian Students
The US state and private universities offer tons of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across various fields. Apart from state-of-the-art facilities and excellent faculty, universities in the USA offer quality education and vocational degrees to prepare students for their chosen industries. Here is a list of the best universities in USA for Nigerian students:
| Best Universities in USA for Nigerian Students | Average Tuition Fees per year | Amount in Nigerian Naira |
| Western Illinois University | $16,700 | 69,44,361 |
| Minnesota State University | $18,200 | 75,68, 106 |
| University of South Florida | $ 23,000 | 95,64,090 |
| South Dakota State University | $21,250 | 88,36, 387 |
| University of Wyoming | $17,244 | 71,70, 572 |
| Alcorn State University | $ 7,566 | 31,46,169 |
| South Dakota School of mines and technology | $16,530 | 68,73,669 |
| Eastern Illinois University | $9,472 | 39,38,741 |
| University of The People | $4,860 | 20,20,933 |
| Henderson State University | $16,904 | 70,29,190 |
Top 5 Universities in the USA for Nigerian Students
Listed below are the top universities located in the USA for Nigerian students.
Harvard University
Tracing its origins back to almost 300 years ago in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest university in the US and is considered one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Apart from the great historical reference, Harvard is also known for its excellent teaching and research. Harvard offers more than 3,700 courses to students from around the world. With a selectively extreme acceptance rate of 3%, international students in Harvard University make up about 23.0% of the total student body.
Columbia University
Part of the private Ivy League research universities, Columbia University was established in 1754 as King’s College in the US. Columbia University is the 5th oldest educational institution in the US. It offers more than 500 courses and is home to over 30,000 students hailing from the US and the rest of the world. Columbia University also offers unique academic programs in African studies such as African Studies Major, African Specialization, African Language Program and Graduate Certificate in African Studies.
New York University
New York University is a private research university that was established 190 years ago in April, 1831. New York University is the largest private university in the US and is home to more than 50,000 students. NYU offers a wide range of courses in more than 200 fields of study. The large number of applications NYU receives is the reason why the university is considered highly selective but it is to be noted that NYU is home to more than 17,000 international students hailing from over 140 countries around the world.
Cornell University
Founded in 1865, Cornell University is one of the largest Ivy League Universities in the US. It is known for providing the best and exceptional quality education to more than 25,000 students and international students make up around 22% of the total student population. Engineering, management, marketing and business are considered the most popular courses offered at Cornell University. With a great freshman retention rate of 97%, Cornell University is known for its excellent job of retaining its students.
Yale University
Yale University is a private research university in the US that has been providing quality education to students since 1701. Being a part of the prestigious Ivy League Research Universities, Yale University is a dream University for many. It has a great student population of over 20,000 that includes more than 5,000 international students from 120 countries around the world. Economics, political science, history and biological sciences are the most popular courses offered at Yale University.
Admission Requirements for Studying in the USA as a Nigerian Student
Now that you know about the best universities in USA for Nigerian students, let’s move on to the next important thing. You need to understand the requirements to study in USA for Nigerian students. Although it may vary university to university, here is some general information to help you understand the basics.
Eligibility Requirements
You must have obtained good grades in previous academic study – high school diploma or undergraduate degree – that are equivalent to the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) i.e scale of 4.
Undergraduate Program Requirements
- You must have completed a formal high school education from a high school in Nigeria.
- Nigerian students are expected to pass standardized tests and English Language Ability tests including TOEFL, IELTS and PTE to prove English language proficiency. However, for some universities, you may not be asked to provide proof of the same.
Postgraduate Program Requirements
- You must have completed formal education of 16 years and
- You must possess a bachelor’s degree that is equivalent to that of the US. The course of the Bachelor’s degree must be correlated with the chosen master’s program.
- Your bachelor’s degree must be first class or second upper class.
- You may be required to take standardized tests such as the GRE or GMAT.
- You may be required to take the following mentioned standardized tests if you choose specific programs such as MBA, Medical, law or else.
- Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) for liberal arts, science, mathematics
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for business degrees and study for MBA programs
- Law School Admission Testing Programme (LSAT) for law degree
Application Process for Nigerian Students to Study in USA
The Admission Process may differ for different universities and for specific courses. But here we’ve mentioned a general procedure for applying to a US University as a Nigerian Student:
- Step 1: Shortlisting courses and universities extremely easy and FREE. Use the Leverage AI Course Finder to select the best courses and universities based on your profile, academic background and course preferences. It creates university roadmap by marking universities in categories like Dream, Safe and Reach. Reach are universities that have the lowest acceptance rate, Safe are categoried as universities that you have a fairly good chance to crack while Dream universities are the ultimate goal. These are the best universities based on your course and career preference and require tremendous effort to crack!
- Step 2: Apply to the university with Leverage Edu experts to get the end-to-end guidance on application process, scholarships, SOPs, eligibility requirements, visa and finances!
- Step 3: Gather all the necessary documents and complete the application with the required information.
- Step 4: Check the deadlines and track down the application process.
- Step 5: Wait for the offer letter. If accepted, you may start with the student visa process, accommodation and need an F-1 visa if your course of study is more than 18 hours a week.
Documents Required
While applying for the University, you will be required to provide the following supporting documents. Make sure you gather all the documents before applying:
- Passport
- Academic records with official transcripts
- Standardized test results
- Two academic letters of recommendation
- Demonstrated English proficiency test
- Certification of Finances form
- Bank letter showing required level of finance for the first year of study and living expenses dated within the past three months
- Research proposals if required
- CV/Resume
- Essays (2) (3) depending upon the program chosen
Cost of Studying in USA for Nigerian Students
The cost of studying is determined by the type of university and course you choose to enroll in. There are two types of universities in the USA, that is, Public/State University and Private University. Public Universities like the University of California are funded by the state government while Private Universities like Harvard University, Johns Hopkins, Yale, Stanford are self-funded universities.
The cost of studying in a public/state university is comparatively less than that of a private university, which is actually a similar aspect of education cost in most of the universities in the world. Your education fees depend upon the type of university and qualification you go for. Below mentioned is the cost of UG and PG Degrees in the US for international students:
- Average cost for UG international students is USD $26,290 (Nigerian Naira 10932170) for the four-year institutes. There are also 2 and 3 year private and public/state colleges and universities in the US for which fees may vary accordingly.
- Average tuition fees for a Master’s Degree in the USA can cost somewhere between USD $20,000 (Nigerian Naira 83,16,600) to $35,000 (Nigerian Naira 14554050) depending highly upon the course and universities you opt for. MBA and a medical course in the USA tend to be more expensive than other regular PG courses.
FAQs
Yes, Nigerians can study in the USA as long as they satisfy the eligibility criteria. As a Nigerian student, you need an F-1 student visa along with meeting academic requirements, English proficiency tests, and other criteria.
The cost of studying in the USA varies by university and program. Tuition fees range from USD 10,000 to USD 55,000 per year, while living expenses are around USD 10,000 to USD 18,000 annually. Scholarships, financial aid, and part-time work options can help manage costs for Nigerian students.
The USA, Canada, the UK, and Germany are among the best study destinations for Nigerians. The USA offers top-ranked universities and diverse opportunities, while Canada provides affordable education and work options. The UK has strong academic programs, and Germany offers tuition-free education in public universities.
The USA offers three major intakes for international students: Fall (August–September), Spring (January–February), and Summer (May–June). Fall is the most popular, with more courses and scholarships, while Spring is a good alternative. Summer intake offers limited programs, mainly short-term courses.
To obtain an F-1 visa, you must show proof of funds covering at least one year of tuition and living expenses, usually USD 20,000 to USD 50,000, depending on the university. The U.S. embassy requires bank statements or sponsorship proof to ensure financial stability during your studies.
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