List of 42 best universities in Zambia

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Top 42 universities in Zambia ranked by EduRank based on research outputs, non-academic prominence, and alumni influence. The rankings are determined by analyzing 206K citations received by 13.1K academic publications made by 42 universities from Zambia, the popularity of 36 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. University of Zambia

#38 in Africa

#1806 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1965

2. Copperbelt University

#218 in Africa

#5595 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Enrollment: 20,000
Founded: 1987

3. University of Lusaka

#286 in Africa

#6662 in the World

Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 2007

4. Cavendish University Zambia

#388 in Africa

#8146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Enrollment: 2,500
Founded: 2004

5. Information and communication University

#485 in Africa

#9974 in the World

Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 2009

6. Northrise University

#519 in Africa

#10281 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 2003

7. Rusangu University

#528 in Africa

#10439 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Enrollment: 4,000
Founded: 2003

8. Mulungushi University

#541 in Africa

#10588 in the World

Founded: 2008

9. Kwame Nkrumah University

#559 in Africa

#10732 in the World

10. Lusaka Apex Medical University

#619 in Africa

#11374 in the World

Enrollment: 2,500
Founded: 2008

11. Africa Christian University

#630 in Africa

#11457 in the World

Enrollment: 500
Founded: 2008

12. ZCAS University

#713 in Africa

#12146 in the World

Enrollment: 2,500

13. Texila American University Zambia

#725 in Africa

#12224 in the World

Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 2016

14. Mukuba University

#801 in Africa

#12648 in the World

Founded: 1974

15. Supershine University

#806 in Africa

#12662 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 2014

16. Evangelical University

#837 in Africa

#12868 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1986

17. Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management

#839 in Africa

#12884 in the World

Enrollment: 1,800

18. Zambia Catholic University

#847 in Africa

#12917 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 2008

19. South Valley University - Chikankata

#861 in Africa

#13013 in the World

20. Justo Mwale University

#887 in Africa

#13169 in the World

Enrollment: 1,200
Founded: 2008

21. Twin Palm Leadership University

#895 in Africa

#13212 in the World

22. DMI-St. Eugene University

#900 in Africa

#13242 in the World

Enrollment: 2,500
Founded: 2007

23. Gideon Robert University

#902 in Africa

#13246 in the World

Founded: 2010

24. United Church of Zambia University

#932 in Africa

#13386 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000

25. University of Barotseland

#961 in Africa

#13550 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 2012

26. Zambian Christian University

#997 in Africa

#13716 in the World

Enrollment: 500

27. University of East and Southern Africa

#1009 in Africa

#13776 in the World

Enrollment: 4,000
Founded: 2017

28. Chalimbana University

#1017 in Africa

#13811 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1939

29. Sylva University

#1024 in Africa

#13854 in the World

Enrollment: 3,000
Founded: 2014

30. Sunningdale University

#1028 in Africa

#13872 in the World

Enrollment: 1,200

31. Eden University

#1035 in Africa

#13890 in the World

Enrollment: 3,000
Founded: 2001

32. Trinity University, Zambia

#1048 in Africa

#13940 in the World

Enrollment: 1,800

33. Chreso University

#1050 in Africa

#13950 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 2010

34. City University of Science and Technology

#1054 in Africa

#13967 in the World

Enrollment: 4,000
Founded: 2008

35. Rockview University

#1059 in Africa

#13977 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000

36. Victoria Falls University of Technology

#1063 in Africa

#13984 in the World

Founded: 2010

37. Copperstone University

#1064 in Africa

#13985 in the World

Founded: 2004

38. Kenneth Kaunda Metropolitan University

#1072 in Africa

#14003 in the World

Enrollment: 4,000

39. Citizen University

#1080 in Africa

#14028 in the World

Enrollment: 1,200

40. OAK University

#1091 in Africa

#14072 in the World

Founded: 2014

41. Southern Acacia University

#1095 in Africa

#14085 in the World

Enrollment: 2,500

42. Southern University

#1096 in Africa

#14086 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Enrollment: 3,500
Founded: 2016

The best cities to study in Zambia based on the number of universities and their ranks are Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola, and Monze.

Average cost of living for students in Zambia is $428 + $56-399 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).