List of 42 best universities in Zambia

Updated: March 02, 2025

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 186K citations received by 12.3K academic publications made by 42 universities from Zambia, the popularity of 33 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. University of Zambia

#33 in Africa

#1931 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1965

2. Copperbelt University

#222 in Africa

#5834 in the World

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

3. University of Lusaka

#298 in Africa

#6877 in the World

Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 2007

4. Cavendish University Zambia

#411 in Africa

#8824 in the World

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

5. Mulungushi University

#422 in Africa

#8955 in the World

Founded: 2008

6. Texila American University Zambia

#430 in Africa

#9101 in the World

Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 2016

7. Information and communication University

#437 in Africa

#9328 in the World

Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 2009

8. Northrise University

#493 in Africa

#10078 in the World

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

9. Rusangu University

#533 in Africa

#10601 in the World

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

10. Kwame Nkrumah University

#662 in Africa

#11707 in the World

11. ZCAS University

#672 in Africa

#11817 in the World

Enrollment: 2,500

12. Africa Christian University

#687 in Africa

#11953 in the World

Enrollment: 500
Founded: 2008

13. Twin Palm Leadership University

#713 in Africa

#12164 in the World

14. Lusaka Apex Medical University

#764 in Africa

#12470 in the World

Enrollment: 2,500
Founded: 2008

15. Gideon Robert University

#795 in Africa

#12670 in the World

Founded: 2010

16. Mukuba University

#800 in Africa

#12690 in the World

Founded: 1974

17. DMI-St. Eugene University

#845 in Africa

#12936 in the World

Enrollment: 2,500
Founded: 2007

18. Justo Mwale University

#852 in Africa

#12957 in the World

Enrollment: 1,200
Founded: 2008

19. Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management

#912 in Africa

#13279 in the World

Enrollment: 1,800

20. Zambia Catholic University

#916 in Africa

#13304 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 2008

21. South Valley University - Chikankata

#934 in Africa

#13375 in the World

22. Supershine University

#960 in Africa

#13528 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 2014

23. Evangelical University

#968 in Africa

#13566 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1986

24. United Church of Zambia University

#995 in Africa

#13685 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000

25. University of Barotseland

#996 in Africa

#13686 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 2012

26. Eden University

#1010 in Africa

#13757 in the World

Enrollment: 3,000
Founded: 2001

27. Trinity University, Zambia

#1016 in Africa

#13781 in the World

Enrollment: 1,800

28. Chalimbana University

#1017 in Africa

#13794 in the World

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

29. Sylva University

#1020 in Africa

#13815 in the World

Enrollment: 3,000
Founded: 2014

30. Victoria Falls University of Technology

#1026 in Africa

#13848 in the World

Founded: 2010

31. Sunningdale University

#1038 in Africa

#13917 in the World

Enrollment: 1,200

32. University of East and Southern Africa

#1039 in Africa

#13919 in the World

Enrollment: 4,000
Founded: 2017

33. Zambian Christian University

#1045 in Africa

#13943 in the World

Enrollment: 500

34. Rockview University

#1048 in Africa

#13956 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000

35. City University of Science and Technology

#1050 in Africa

#13964 in the World

Enrollment: 4,000
Founded: 2008

36. Kenneth Kaunda Metropolitan University

#1052 in Africa

#13972 in the World

Enrollment: 4,000

37. Southern Acacia University

#1054 in Africa

#13979 in the World

Enrollment: 2,500

38. OAK University

#1059 in Africa

#13989 in the World

Founded: 2014

39. Southern University

#1060 in Africa

#13990 in the World

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

40. Chreso University

#1070 in Africa

#14038 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 2010

41. Copperstone University

#1081 in Africa

#14062 in the World

Founded: 2004

42. Citizen University

#1087 in Africa

#14083 in the World

Enrollment: 1,200

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

Average cost of living for students in Zambia is $398 + $58-413 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).