Technical University of Kenya vs Kenyatta University vs United States International University Africa - USIU vs St. Paul's University - SPU vs The Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Side-by-side comparison from 358 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: United States International University Africa - USIU (4.60)
Technical University of Kenya: wins 0/6 categories
Kenyatta University: wins 0/6 categories
United States International University Africa - USIU: wins 3/6 categories
St. Paul's University - SPU: wins 2/6 categories
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa: wins 1/6 categories
University of Rwanda - UR: wins 0/6 categories
Amref International University - AMIU: wins 0/6 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Civil Engineering
Nairobi, Kenya
4.50
Read more reviews
227 reviews
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Best programme: Education
Best programme: Journalism
Best programme: Business Administration and Operations Management
Best programme: Bachelor of Education Arts
Best programme: Accounting and Business Finance
Best programme: Community Health and Epidemiology
Category ratings
Facilities
4.10
4.41
4.71
Win
4.63
3.91
3.83
4.00
Location
4.36
4.55
4.43
4.60
4.72
Win
4.50
4.00
Professors
4.33
4.36
4.50
4.50
4.09
4.33
4.00
Internationality
3.83
4.22
4.72
Win
4.27
4.14
3.33
4.00
Student life
3.76
4.27
4.72
Win
4.71
4.05
3.50
4.00
Value
4.27
4.41
4.54
4.73
Win
4.45
4.67
4.00
Accommodation
3.31
3.95
4.33
4.58
Win
3.68
4.00
4.00
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Practical, hands-on technical education
  • +Quality of lecturers and specialized equipment
  • +Strong industry integration and career preparation
  • +- Knowledgeable and supportive lecturers
  • +- Well-structured and balanced curriculum
  • +- Opportunities for innovation and practical application
  • +Practical, real-world learning experiences
  • +Supportive and approachable faculty
  • +Diverse and enriching student community
  • +Supportive, approachable, and knowledgeable lecturers
  • +Peaceful, positive learning environment and personal growth focus
  • +Quality education and strong academic performance leading to career success
  • +Supportive and intellectually stimulating environment
  • +Knowledgeable and approachable faculty
  • +Relevant and tailored course material
  • +Knowledgeable, supportive, and approachable professors
  • +Strong academic foundation with practical application opportunities
  • +Diverse, welcoming campus community and good infrastructure
  • +Inclusivity and health focus
  • +Skill development for decision-making
  • +Lasting opportunities
Cons
  • -Administrative and management issues are a recurring problem.
  • -Facilities are not universally well-equipped for all courses.
  • -Lack of recommendation for the university overall.
  • -Administrative and management issues, including disorganization and delays.
  • -Unfair and punitive grading systems compared to other institutions.
  • -Lack of specialization in some programs, leading to career uncertainty.
  • -Administrative and management issues are a significant source of frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of modern resources are a recurring complaint.
  • -Poor communication and a lack of transparency exacerbate existing problems.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment hinder learning.
  • -Lack of clear communication and support from staff is prevalent.
  • -Lack of communication and support from lecturers.
  • -Outdated and poorly maintained facilities.
  • -Administrative and management issues are a recurring problem.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of modern resources are a significant drawback.
  • -The curriculum lacks relevance and practical application for future careers.
  • -Administrative and management issues
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment
  • -Lack of support and resources
Rating summary
What students say

This university garners excellent scores in several key areas, notably location (4.36) and professors (4.33). Value for money also scores highly at 4.27. The institution's weakest points appear to be accommodation (3.31) and student life (3.76). Internationality sits in the middle ground at 3.83.

This university garners strong ratings across multiple facets, with Location being its standout strength at 4.55. Professors and Facilities also received high marks, scoring 4.36 and 4.41 respectively. Value and Student Life are similarly well-regarded. The area requiring the most improvement is Accomodation, which received the lowest score at 3.95. Internationality also sits in the mid-range.

This institution garners impressive scores across various aspects, with Facilities, Student Life, and Internationality all achieving near-perfect ratings of 4.7. Professors and Value also stand out with scores above 4.5. The weakest area, though still solid, is Accomodation, with a rating of 4.33.

This university demonstrates excellent performance in student life, achieving a high rating of 4.71. Value for money and facilities also scored very well, at 4.73 and 4.63 respectively. Internationality stands out as the area with the lowest score, at 4.27, suggesting room for growth in this aspect. Overall, the institution presents a strong offering with a particularly vibrant student experience.

This university demonstrates a strong overall performance, with its location receiving the highest marks at 4.72. Internationality is also highly rated at 4.14, alongside professors at 4.09 and student life at 4.05. The weakest area appears to be accommodation, scoring 3.68, followed closely by facilities at 3.91.

This institution garners high marks for its excellent **Location** (4.5) and outstanding **Value** (4.67). **Professors** also receive strong recognition (4.33). Conversely, **Internationality** (3.33) and **Student Life** (3.5) represent areas with lower ratings, indicating potential room for improvement in these aspects. **Accommodations** are rated a solid 4, while **Facilities** score 3.83.

This university garners consistently high marks across all assessed aspects. Its strengths are evident in uniformly excellent ratings for facilities, professors, location, student life, accommodation, internationality, and value, all scoring a solid 4 out of 5. No single area stands out as significantly weaker than the others, suggesting a well-rounded and satisfactory experience for students in every key domain.

Reviews summary
Highlights

With an average rating of 4.23/5 from 30 reviews, approximately 97% are positive. Students praise practical learning, technical programs, and experienced faculty. A small percentage of feedback mentions issues with specific course equipment and administrative helpfulness.

With an average rating of 4.46/5 from 228 reviews, ~98% of feedback is positive. Students praise knowledgeable lecturers, well-structured courses, and supportive campus life. Minimal negative feedback noted issues with grading systems and project stage disorganization.

Nearly all (nearly 100%) of 46 reviews are positive, highlighting strong academics, practical learning, and a supportive environment. No negative feedback was recorded.

With a 4.54/5 average rating and ~0% negative feedback across 26 reviews, students praise St. Paul's University's supportive lecturers, practical courses, and peaceful learning environment, fostering personal and professional growth.

The university receives largely positive reviews (~77%), with students highlighting a supportive academic environment, knowledgeable faculty, and good facilities. A small fraction (~5%) of feedback points to issues with communication, infrastructure, and strict rules.

With an average rating of 4.33/5, ~83% of reviews are positive. Students highlight knowledgeable professors, a strong academic foundation, and a diverse community. Some mention slow administrative processes.

With a 4/5 average rating, this university has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Students highlight opportunities for growth and skill development, particularly in healthcare decision-making, and praise initiatives for inclusivity and health in Africa. No negative feedback was reported.

Rating distribution
5★
43%
57%
61%
54%
50%
50%
0%
4★
43%
34%
37%
46%
27%
33%
100%
3★
10%
7%
2%
0%
18%
17%
0%
2★
0%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
3%
0%
0%
0%
5%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
🌟🌟🌟🌟☆ (4 out of 5 stars)

My experience at the Technical University of Kenya was largely positive. The university offers a hands-on approach to learning, especially in technical and engineering programmes, which helped me build practical skills that I continue to use in my career. The curriculum is well-structured and industry-oriented, and most lecturers are knowledgeable and supportive. The location in the heart of Nairobi is a big plus—easy access to internships, job opportunities, and professional networking events. The university also encourages innovation and project-based learning, which makes the learning experience more dynamic. However, some areas need improvement. Administrative processes can be slow, and facilities like labs or libraries may not always be up to standard or well-equipped. Internet access on campus was also inconsistent at times. Overall, I would recommend TUK to students who are looking for a solid technical education with a practical focus. It's a good option for students who are self-driven and can make the most out of the available resources.

Life in KU

It was amazing, the professors were great. The school compound was extremely big and walking from one lecture hall to another was a big challenge. The long ques during meals at the mess was crazy. There is this thing called missing marks, you could visit exam office a million times without help.

USIU TIMES

If I had to rate USIU I would rate it 8/10. my experience so far has been good overall. What I enjoy most is the classroom interactions with the class and the lecturer. I also like the diversity of religions, cultures, and overall personalities. Some of my dislikes are they don't have a vast variety of food at the University. I would gladly recommend it.

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Worst University Ever !!

As a first-year Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) student, I can confidently say this university is a complete disappointment. The lack of communication between lecturers and students is shocking—emails go unanswered, and there’s no support when issues arise. The infrastructure is falling apart—old, broken chairs that look like they belong in a primary school, dusty classrooms, and ancient computers that barely function (some seem to be from the early 2000s!). How are we supposed to learn modern computer science on relics? The online unit registration is a nightmare—it’s glitchy, unreliable, and has caused me to lose crucial units. Shockingly, even the fundamental computer science unit (the core of the degree!) was missing from allocations. The administration does nothing to fix these issues. Lecturers are unreliable—showing up late or not at all, with no makeup classes. The systems are always slow, and there are zero extracurricular activities, making campus life dull and isolating. Save your time and money—this place is a scam. If you actually care about your education, look elsewhere.

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