The United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) is a private institution in Kenya that traces its roots to 1927, when it was founded as Balboa Law College, a private graduate institution in San Diego, California.
The institution changed its name to Balboa University in 1945 and later to California Western University in 1952.
In 1967, it became the United States International University (USIU) and expanded its global presence, establishing campuses in Tokyo, London, Mexico City, and Nairobi.
The Kenyan campus was registered in September 1969 under the Companies Act (Cap 486). In 1999, USIU-Africa received a formal Charter from the Kenyan government, allowing it to operate as an independent institution.
The Nairobi campus later separated from the global network in 2001, becoming fully autonomous.
USIU-Africa: Courses Offered, Fees, Location and Campuses
In 2005, USIU-Africa attained independent accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and was accredited by Kenya’s Commission for University Education (CUE), solidifying its status as a recognized institution of higher learning both locally and internationally.
The University is nestled in the Roysambu neighborhood, right within Kasarani, 12 kilometers from Nairobi’s CBD.
USIU Africa offers both Certificate, Diploma, Higher Diploma, Degree, master’s and PhD programs in various fields.
The University has seven schools with one Centre for executive education.
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Chandaria School of Business
USIU-Africa’s Chandaria School of Business offers business-focused programs that prepare students for leadership in a global economy:
- Bachelor of Global Leadership and Governance
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting
- Bachelor of Science in Finance
- Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
This school equips students with critical thinking, analytical, and interpersonal skills to address social issues and contribute to global change:
- Bachelor of Arts in International Relations
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- NEW Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
School of Science and Technology
Focused on innovation and digital transformation, this school nurtures tech-savvy professionals ready to lead in a data-driven world:
- Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Information Systems & Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics
- Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
This school prepares students to improve healthcare systems through science and compassion:
- Bachelor of Pharmacy
- NEW Bachelor of Science in Applied Biochemistry
- Bachelor of Technology in Analytical Chemistry
- Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- NEW Bachelor of Science in Nursing
School of Communication, Cinematic and Creative Arts
Students in this school explore storytelling and digital creativity to inspire, inform, and entertain:
- Bachelor of Arts in Animation
- Bachelor of Arts in Film Production and Directing
- Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Short Courses Offered
USIU-Africa also offers a range of short courses designed to equip learners with practical skills and specialized knowledge in various fields.
These include culinary courses, entrepreneurship programs, and executive courses tailored for professionals seeking leadership development.
The university also provides language courses to support multilingual proficiency, and it is an accredited center for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Other specialized programs include Applied Behavior Analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Behaviour Change, and Vaccines Management and Immunization—each designed to meet current market needs and global standards.
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
Admission to undergraduate degree programs is based on academic achievement at the secondary level.
All applicants are expected to satisfy procedures and criteria for admission to USIU-Africa, and to submit acceptable original documents which verify that they have satisfactorily completed and met all admission requirements.
Applicants for admissions into the undergraduate degree programs are subject to selective screening based on academic achievement at the secondary level.
Kenyan Applicants
The table below shows the standards for evaluating secondary school credentials for undergraduate admissions.
| KCSE | EACE/KCE/KACE/EAACE | 12th GRADE (U.S High School Diploma) | GCE/IGCSE/IB | |
| Minimum Requirements | C + (plus) and above | 5 Credits in any 5 subjects at ‘O’ Level, and 3 Principal passes at ‘A’ Level | G.P.A. of 2.50 or higher | 5 Upper-Level Passes at O Level and 3 principal passes at A Level
IB Diploma- Five passes of grade 4 and above |
It should be noted that:
- For Bachelor of Pharmacy, a minimum aggregate grade of KCSE ‘B-’ and minimum of a C+ in the following subject clusters (Math/Physics, English/Kiswahili, Chemistry and Biology) will be required.
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International Applicants
International applicants are considered for admission on the same basis as local applicants and evaluated in accordance with the International Academic Credentials Handbook but must also demonstrate English proficiency.
All students for whom English is not a first language are required to show English proficiency before beginning an academic program.
U.S. citizens/permanent residents must submit their SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) or ACT (American College Testing) scores for evaluation. The scores are evaluated in conjunction with the high school grade point average.
It should be noted that:
- A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 79 and above on the internet based, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 7 or better, or a Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English of grade C or better is required for those applicants whose language of instruction is not English.
- Meeting the minimum entrance requirement for any of the programs does not guarantee admissions into the University program.
USIU-Africa Fees for Kenyan Undergraduate Students
| School | Program | Total Fee (Ksh) |
| Chandaria School of Business (CSOB) | BSc in Accounting | 147,750 |
| BSc in Finance | 147,750 | |
| BSc in Business Administration | 147,750 | |
| Bachelor of Global Leadership and Governance | 147,750 | |
| BSc in Hotel & Restaurant Management (includes lab fee) | 158,450 | |
| School of Humanities & Social Sciences | BA in International Relations | 147,750 |
| BA in Psychology | 147,750 | |
| BA in Sociology | 147,750 | |
| BA in Criminal Justice Studies (includes lab fee) | 150,750 | |
| School of Science & Technology (SST) | BSc in Applied Computer Technology (includes IT lab fee) | 220,750 |
| BSc in Information Systems & Technology (includes IT lab fee) | 220,750 | |
| BSc in Data Science & Analytics (includes IT lab fee) | 220,750 | |
| BSc in Software Engineering (includes IT lab fee) | 220,750 | |
| School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences | Bachelor of Pharmacy (includes SPHS lab fee) | 348,450 |
| Bachelor of Nursing (includes Nursing lab fee) | 383,450 | |
| BSc in Epidemiology & Biostatistics (includes SPHS lab fee) | 278,450 | |
| BSc in Applied Biochemistry (includes SPHS lab fee) | 236,450 | |
| Bachelor of Technology in Analytical Chemistry (includes SPHS lab fee) | 236,450 | |
| School of Communications, Cinematic & Creative Arts (SCCCA) | BA in Film Production & Directing (includes lab fee) | 182,450 |
| BA in Animation (includes lab fee) | 182,450 | |
| BA in Journalism (includes lab fee) | 182,450 |
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