List of State Universities in Nigeria and their school fees

In Nigeria, state universities serve as a bridge between federal and private institutions, offering students the chance to get a university degree at a cost lower than most private schools, but often higher than federal ones. 

These universities are established and managed by individual state governments, and their school fees are not uniform. 

Instead, each state university sets its own tuition based on available funding, infrastructure, and the economic realities of the state. 

School fees also vary depending on the course of study, with professional and science-based courses like Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Pharmacy usually attracting higher fees than Arts and Education. 

What is the average school fee range in state universities?

The average school fees for state universities in Nigeria usually fall between ₦70,000 and ₦300,000 per session, depending on the course and the institution. 

While federal universities tend to charge less due to heavier government subsidies, state universities are often forced to charge higher amounts to fund infrastructure and staff salaries. 

Some states try to keep fees low to make education accessible, but others charge significantly higher amounts, especially when running specialized programs like Medicine or Engineering. 

In many cases, indigenes of the state enjoy slightly lower fees compared to non-indigenes. 

However, even with these variations, state universities still remain cheaper than private institutions, which may charge between ₦500,000 and ₦2 million per session.

How much is school fees in Lagos State University (LASU)?

Lagos State University (LASU), one of the most prominent and competitive state universities in Nigeria, has relatively moderate school fees. 

As of the most recent update, LASU charges ₦67,048 per session for returning students and slightly more for new students due to one-time registration costs. 

However, fees may go higher for certain professional programs like Law, Engineering, and Medical Sciences. 

LASU is one of the few state universities that have made efforts to reduce tuition fees in recent years, largely due to pressure from students and civil society. 

The Lagos State Government has maintained a subsidy to keep the school affordable for its indigenes.

How much is school fees in Rivers State University (RSU)?

Rivers State University (RSU), located in Port Harcourt, is one of the more expensive state universities. 

Students in regular departments like Political Science or Sociology may pay around ₦130,000 to ₦150,000, while those in Engineering, Law, or Medicine could pay between ₦200,000 and ₦250,000 per academic session. 

RSU is a major research university with a strong focus on science and technology, which explains the higher cost of maintaining lab-based courses. 

The school also charges separate fees for acceptance, development levy, and departmental dues, which can increase the total cost for new intakes.

What are the school fees at Delta State University (DELSU)?

Delta State University (DELSU), with campuses in Abraka, Asaba, and Oleh, charges one of the more moderate fees among state universities. 

Most programs fall within the ₦80,000 to ₦120,000 range per session. 

The school adopts a tiered system where indigenes of Delta State enjoy a discount compared to non-indigenes. 

For example, an indigene studying Biochemistry may pay ₦85,000 while a non-indigene pays ₦105,000. 

This system is designed to make education more affordable for residents of the host state while still generating sufficient revenue to maintain university operations.

How much do students pay at Ekiti State University (EKSU)?

Ekiti State University (EKSU) charges school fees ranging from ₦130,000 to ₦180,000 per session, depending on the faculty and level. 

Fresh students usually pay more because of additional charges such as registration, ID card, library fees, and ICT fees. 

Students in Health Sciences, Engineering, and Management Sciences often pay the most. 

EKSU recently reviewed its fees due to rising inflation and running costs, which has led to a slight increase from what was obtainable a few years ago. 

Nonetheless, the state government continues to fund parts of the university’s budget to reduce the burden on students.

Are there state universities with significantly lower fees?

Yes, a few state universities still maintain lower tuition fees, especially those in the northern region or in states where the government heavily subsidizes education. 

For example, Kogi State University (KSU), now known as Prince Abubakar Audu University, charges between ₦60,000 and ₦100,000, and Benue State University (BSU) charges similar amounts. 

In these schools, indigene status plays a large role in the final fee. 

Generally, the more rural or less commercially developed the state, the lower the school fees tend to be, though this is not a hard rule. 

Quality of facilities, lecturer remuneration, and available government funding also impact the fees.

Why do school fees vary so much between state universities?

The variation in school fees is largely tied to each state government’s education policy, financial capacity, and economic priorities. 

States with strong internally generated revenue like Lagos or Rivers tend to have better-funded schools and can afford to set fees that reflect the quality of their infrastructure and staffing. 

Meanwhile, less wealthy states may struggle to maintain basic standards, leading to either lower fees and underfunded facilities or sudden hikes to cover gaps. 

Also, courses that require laboratories, clinical equipment, or fieldwork cost more to run, leading to higher tuition in Medicine, Engineering, or Agriculture compared to Philosophy or English.