List of 25 best universities in Somalia

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Top 25 universities in Somalia ranked by EduRank based on research outputs, non-academic prominence, and alumni influence. The rankings are determined by analyzing 7.01K citations received by 910 academic publications made by 25 universities from Somalia, the popularity of 41 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. Somali National University

#308 in Africa

#6961 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000

2. University of Hargeisa

#340 in Africa

#7276 in the World

3. University of Somalia

#391 in Africa

#8232 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 11,760

4. SIMAD University

#452 in Africa

#9537 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%

5. Mogadishu University

#471 in Africa

#9832 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%

6. East Africa University

#492 in Africa

#10052 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%

7. Amoud University

#504 in Africa

#10136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Enrollment: 10,000

8. University of Burao

#674 in Africa

#11846 in the World

9. Jamhuriya University of Science and Technology

#676 in Africa

#11889 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Enrollment: 4,800

10. Gollis University

#761 in Africa

#12390 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%

11. Jobkey University

#796 in Africa

#12616 in the World

12. Jazeera University

#827 in Africa

#12801 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 2,600

13. Benadir University

#870 in Africa

#13061 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Enrollment: 9,021

14. Puntland State University

#891 in Africa

#13186 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Enrollment: 15,000

15. Zamzam University for science and technology

#943 in Africa

#13451 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%

16. University of Southern Somalia

#969 in Africa

#13583 in the World

17. Nugaal University

#981 in Africa

#13635 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%

18. Plasma University

#988 in Africa

#13663 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%

19. Eelo University

#1001 in Africa

#13744 in the World

20. Kismayo University

#1003 in Africa

#13754 in the World

21. Indian Ocean University

#1007 in Africa

#13768 in the World

22. Salaam University

#1037 in Africa

#13894 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%

23. Horseed International University

#1041 in Africa

#13917 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%

24. Somaliland University of Technology

#1043 in Africa

#13924 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%

25. Juba University of Science and Technology

#1056 in Africa

#13972 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Enrollment: 8,000

The best cities to study in Somalia based on the number of universities and their ranks are Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Bossaso, and Borama.

Average cost of living for students in Somalia is $475 + $35-247 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).