Cheapest State Universities in Nigeria: Updated School Fees Guide

Finding a university that offers quality education without putting too much pressure on your family’s finances is important for many Nigerian students and parents. With the rising cost of education, accommodation, transportation, feeding and learning materials, choosing an affordable university can make a big difference.

State universities are among the options students consider when looking for lower-cost higher education in Nigeria. However, it is important to understand that “cheap” does not always mean the same thing for every student. Fees can differ according to the university, course, level of study, whether a student is an indigene or non-indigene, and the academic session.

This guide explains some of the cheapest state universities in Nigeria, what their school fees may look like, other costs to consider and how to choose an affordable university without sacrificing the quality of your education.

Important: University fees change from time to time. The figures discussed below should be treated as a guide, not a payment invoice. Always confirm the latest fee schedule on the university’s official website or student portal before making any payment.

What Are State Universities in Nigeria?

State universities are universities established and funded primarily by state governments. They are different from federal universities, which are owned by the Federal Government, and private universities, which are established and managed by private organisations.

Many state universities offer programmes in areas such as:

• Arts and Humanities
• Education
• Social Sciences
• Management Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Engineering
• Agriculture
• Law
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Environmental Sciences

One major reason students consider state universities is that some of them have relatively affordable fees, particularly for students who are indigenes of the state.

However, affordability should not be judged by tuition alone. A university with lower tuition may still have higher accommodation, transportation or other compulsory charges.

Cheapest State Universities in Nigeria

There is no permanent official national ranking that says one state university is always the cheapest in Nigeria. Fees can change when a university approves a new fee structure.

Still, several state-owned institutions are commonly considered when students search for affordable university education.

1. Plateau State University, Bokkos (PLASU)

Plateau State University, Bokkos is one of the state universities students may consider when looking for affordable higher education.

The university’s official fee page shows that its approved fees are divided into several components, rather than being presented simply as one tuition figure. For some listed programmes, the published schedule includes tuition and charges for items such as registration, examinations, ICT, medical services, library services, security and other student-related services. The university’s published schedule also shows different totals for some categories of students.

For example, the university’s published fee information for certain programmes lists totals of about ₦90,000 to ₦150,000 for some student categories, while other programmes have higher totals. This shows why students should check their specific course and student category instead of relying on a general figure.

PLASU also states that fresh students have accommodation requirements, with published hostel charges varying by hostel category.

Why consider PLASU?

• Relatively affordable published fee options for some programmes
• Offers several undergraduate disciplines
• Government-owned institution
• Provides on-campus accommodation options
• Has an official online fee and registration system

Students interested in the university should check the latest fee schedule before applying because fees and admission requirements can change.

2. Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU)

Abia State University, Uturu is another state-owned university that can be considered by students looking for a relatively affordable option.

Recent official university payment invoices demonstrate an important point about comparing school fees: the amount a student pays can depend heavily on the programme and individual charges.

For example, an official ABSU invoice for a 100-level Political Science student for the 2025/2026 session listed ₦52,000 as tuition, alongside accreditation, development, hostel and SUG charges, bringing the displayed total to ₦183,500.

An official invoice for a Public Health student showed tuition of ₦112,000, with additional charges bringing the displayed total to ₦243,500.

This means it would be misleading to advertise one amount as “ABSU school fees” for every student.

Why consider ABSU?

• Offers a broad range of undergraduate courses
• Government-owned university
• Different programmes have different fee structures
• Some programmes may be more affordable than others

Before paying, prospective students should confirm the exact charges attached to their course and level.

3. Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU)

Delta State University, Abraka is another established state university in Nigeria.

DELSU offers a wide range of academic programmes, making it an option for students who want a state university with several course choices.

The university’s official materials show that programmes and admission requirements vary by course. For example, its published information for the 2025/2026 admission cycle provides different requirements for different programmes.

When considering DELSU based on affordability, students should not look only at tuition. They should also calculate accommodation, feeding, transportation, textbooks and other university-related expenses.

DELSU also provides an online student portal where students can manage academic records, course registration and fee payments.

4. Gombe State University (GSU)

Gombe State University is another institution frequently considered by students seeking affordable state university education.

The university itself advises students that tuition depends on whether they are fresh or returning students and that fees may also depend on the services approved by the university.

This is an important reminder for anyone searching for the cheapest state university in Nigeria: online lists may provide a single estimated figure, but the actual amount can change according to the academic session, programme and student status.

Prospective students should therefore confirm the current fee structure directly from Gombe State University’s official channels.

School Fees at State Universities: What Should You Expect?

There is no single school-fee amount for all state universities in Nigeria.

Depending on the institution and programme, students may encounter charges such as:

• Tuition
• Registration
• Examination fees
• Development levy
• ICT fees
• Library fees
• Medical charges
• Student union dues
• Faculty or departmental charges
• Identity card fees
• Certificate verification
• Accommodation
• Laboratory or practical charges
• Acceptance fees
• Other approved institutional charges

For example, the official PLASU fee schedule separates tuition from several other charges, demonstrating why students should examine the complete fee breakdown rather than looking at tuition alone.

Is Tuition the Same as School Fees?

Not necessarily.

This is one of the most important things students should understand.

Tuition is generally the amount charged for academic instruction. School fees, on the other hand, may be used as a broader term for the collection of approved academic and student-related charges.

For example, an official ABSU invoice can contain tuition together with accreditation, development, hostel and SUG charges.

Therefore, when comparing cheap universities in Nigeria, ask:

“How much will I actually pay for the academic session?”

rather than only asking:

“How much is the tuition?”

That small difference can prevent unexpected expenses.

Cheapest State Universities in Nigeria for Different Courses

The cheapest option can also depend on what you want to study.

A student studying English, History or Education may pay considerably less than a student studying Medicine, Nursing, Engineering or another programme requiring expensive laboratories and specialised facilities.

Affordable Options for Arts and Social Sciences

Students interested in courses such as:

• English
• History
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Economics
• Mass Communication
• Religious Studies

may find that some state universities have comparatively lower charges for these programmes.

However, always check the current departmental fee schedule.

Affordable Options for Education

Education programmes are often worth considering when affordability is a major concern. Some universities have comparatively modest charges for Education-related programmes.

For example, the University of Ilesa’s official 2025/2026 fee information states that Education Faculty students enjoy tuition-free admission under its published fee structure, although other applicable charges may still need to be considered.

This makes checking the official university fee schedule particularly important before deciding where to apply.

Medicine, Nursing and Other Health Courses

Students should be more careful when comparing fees for Medicine, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy and similar programmes.

These courses often involve additional practical, laboratory, clinical or professional charges. Therefore, a university that appears cheap for Arts or Social Sciences may not be equally cheap for a health-related course.

Do not choose a university based on its general school-fee figure without checking the exact cost of your programme.

Other Costs Students Should Budget For

School fees are only one part of the cost of attending university in Nigeria.

A realistic education budget should include the following.

1. Accommodation

If you live away from home, accommodation can become one of your biggest expenses.

Some universities provide hostels, while others have students living in privately rented accommodation around the campus.

For example, PLASU’s official information lists different hostel charges for its accommodation categories.

2. Feeding

Food expenses depend on where you live, how often you cook and your personal lifestyle.

Students living at home may spend considerably less than students renting accommodation near campus.

3. Transportation

If you do not live on campus, daily transportation can add up quickly.

A university with slightly higher school fees but affordable accommodation close to campus may sometimes be cheaper overall than a university with lower tuition but expensive transportation.

4. Books and Learning Materials

You may need textbooks, notebooks, printing, internet data, laboratory materials and other academic resources.

5. Acceptance and Screening Fees

New students may have to pay acceptance, medical screening or other admission-related charges.

For instance, PLASU’s published admission and registration information specifies acceptance and medical screening payments for newly admitted students.

How to Find the Cheapest University for You

Instead of searching for one university that is “the cheapest,” use a simple comparison method.

Step 1: Choose Your Course

Start with the programme you want to study.

There is little benefit in choosing a university because it is cheap if it does not offer your preferred course or if the course is not suitable for your career plans.

Step 2: Check the University’s Official Website

Look for the latest:

• School-fee schedule
• Admission requirements
• Post-UTME information
• Accommodation fees
• Acceptance fees
• Departmental charges

Use official university sources whenever possible.

Step 3: Calculate the Full Cost

Add together:

School fees + accommodation + feeding + transport + books + other compulsory charges

This gives you a better idea of the actual cost of studying there.

Step 4: Check Whether Indigene Status Matters

Some state universities have different fee arrangements for indigenes and non-indigenes.

If you are from the state where the university is located, check whether your status affects the amount you will pay.

Step 5: Consider the Course Quality

Affordability is important, but it should not be the only factor.

Check whether the programme has the necessary approval or accreditation, whether the university provides appropriate facilities and whether the course matches your long-term goals.

How to Avoid Fake School-Fee Information

The internet contains many articles claiming to list the “latest” school fees of Nigerian universities. Some figures may be outdated.

Before paying any money, follow these rules:

1. Visit the university’s official website.
2. Use the official student or payment portal.
3. Check the academic session stated on the fee schedule.
4. Confirm whether the figure is for fresh or returning students.
5. Check whether it applies to your course.
6. Look for additional compulsory charges.
7. Avoid paying unofficial agents.
8. Keep your payment receipt.

The University of Ilesa, for example, explicitly warns students that it has not appointed agents or third parties to collect fees and directs payments through its official student portal.

This is a useful practice for students applying to any Nigerian university.

Are Cheap State Universities Good?

Yes, an affordable university can still provide a valuable education.

The amount you pay does not automatically determine the quality of your education. What matters is the programme, accreditation, learning environment, facilities, teaching quality, student support and your own commitment to your studies.

A student should therefore avoid choosing a university based solely on the lowest advertised fee.

Consider the complete picture:

• Is your course available?
• Is the programme properly approved?
• Is the university reasonably accessible?
• Can your family comfortably afford the total cost?
• Are accommodation and transportation manageable?
• Does the institution provide the facilities required for your course?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the cheapest state university in Nigeria?

There is no single university that can permanently be described as the cheapest state university in Nigeria. Fees change by academic session, course, level and student category. Institutions such as PLASU, ABSU and other state universities can offer relatively affordable options, but students should compare the latest official fee schedules.

How much is school fees in state universities in Nigeria?

There is no fixed amount. Some programmes may have relatively low charges, while professional and laboratory-based programmes can cost much more. Additional charges such as accommodation, development levies and registration can also increase the total.

Do indigenes pay less in state universities?

In some state universities, indigene and non-indigene students have different fee structures. However, this is not universal, so students should check the specific university’s current policy.

Which state university has the lowest school fees?

The answer can change from one academic session to another. It is better to compare the latest official fee schedules than rely on an old ranking.

Can I study Medicine in a cheap state university?

Yes, several state universities offer Medicine or other health-related programmes, but these courses are usually more expensive than many Arts or Education programmes. Check the exact tuition and additional charges for your programme before applying.