List of 31 best universities in Tanzania

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Top 31 universities in Tanzania ranked by EduRank based on research outputs, non-academic prominence, and alumni influence. The rankings are determined by analyzing 541K citations received by 34.5K academic publications made by 31 universities from Tanzania, the popularity of 96 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. University of Dar es Salaam

#26 in Africa

#1560 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 24,000
Founded: 1970

2. Sokoine University of Agriculture

#58 in Africa

#2688 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1984

3. Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

#95 in Africa

#3556 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 2007

4. University of Dodoma

#133 in Africa

#4073 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 28,949
Founded: 2007

5. Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology

#205 in Africa

#5605 in the World

Enrollment: 117
Founded: 2009

6. Mzumbe University

#210 in Africa

#5654 in the World

Founded: 2003

7. Ardhi University

#236 in Africa

#5982 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 4,521
Male:Female: 60:40
Founded: 2007

8. St. Augustine University of Tanzania

#257 in Africa

#6347 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Founded: 1998

9. Tumaini University Makumira

#273 in Africa

#6594 in the World

Founded: 1997

10. Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences

#280 in Africa

#6652 in the World

Founded: 1994

11. State University of Zanzibar

#287 in Africa

#6744 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Founded: 2002

12. Hubert Kairuki Memorial University

#324 in Africa

#7155 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Founded: 1997

13. St John's University of Tanzania

#334 in Africa

#7246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Founded: 2007

14. Moshi Co-operative University

#470 in Africa

#9841 in the World

Enrollment: 2,500
Founded: 1963

15. University of Arusha

#513 in Africa

#10319 in the World

Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 1974

16. St. Joseph University in Tanzania

#526 in Africa

#10473 in the World

Enrollment: 4,000
Founded: 2011

17. Zanzibar University

#556 in Africa

#10819 in the World

Founded: 1998

18. Ruaha Catholic University

#557 in Africa

#10822 in the World

19. Mbeya University of Science and Technology

#571 in Africa

#10979 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 4,000
Founded: 1986

20. University of Bagamoyo

#627 in Africa

#11460 in the World

Founded: 2010

21. University of Iringa

#667 in Africa

#11807 in the World

Founded: 2013

22. Mwenge Catholic University

#709 in Africa

#12128 in the World

Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 2005

23. Teofilo Kisanji University

#712 in Africa

#12157 in the World

Enrollment: 2,500
Founded: 2006

24. Mount Meru University

#722 in Africa

#12238 in the World

Enrollment: 3,000
Founded: 2005

25. International Medical and Technological University

#761 in Africa

#12463 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1995

26. Muslim University of Morogoro

#766 in Africa

#12478 in the World

Enrollment: 3,000
Founded: 2004

27. Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere University of Agriculture and Technology

#801 in Africa

#12691 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 2015

28. Abdulrahman Al-Sumait Memorial University

#807 in Africa

#12724 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1998

29. Sebastian Kolowa Memorial University

#858 in Africa

#12980 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 2012

30. United African University of Tanzania

#935 in Africa

#13387 in the World

Enrollment: 1,200
Founded: 2012

31. Eckernforde Tanga University

#1040 in Africa

#13921 in the World

Founded: 2010

The best cities to study in Tanzania based on the number of universities and their ranks are Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Dodoma, and Arusha.

Average cost of living for students in Tanzania is $365 + $45-323 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).