Universities in Burkina Faso ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 16 Universities in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is divided into 45 provinces (French: provinces), which are further subdivided into 351 departments (French: départements) or communes. The following uniRank sub-rankings and league tables consider all provinces that include at least one Burkinabé higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Boulkiemde (1)  
Houet (5)  
Kadiogo (8)  
Mouhoun (1)  

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Overview of Burkina Faso Universities

Burkina Faso's higher education system comprises public and private institutions established since the 1970s. The landscape features 16 universities, with public universities primarily founded by government initiatives and private institutions emerging from religious organizations, international partnerships or entrepreneurial ventures. Most universities concentrate in urban centers like Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, offering diverse programs in French (the official language). Academic structures typically include undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with institutions evolving to meet national workforce development needs despite infrastructure and funding challenges common in West African higher education systems.

Top 10 Burkina Faso Universities

1. Université Ouaga I Joseph Ki-Zerbo (University of Ouaga I) - UO. Ranked #1 nationally and #6427 globally. Located in Ouagadougou, Kadiogo. Public university founded in 1974.
2. Université Nazi Boni (Nazi Boni University) - UNB. Ranked #2 nationally and #9938 globally. Located in Bobo-Dioulasso, Houet. Public university established in 1997.
3. Université Aube Nouvelle (Aube Nouvelle University) - U-AUBEN. Ranked #3 nationally and #11070 globally. Located in Ouagadougou, Kadiogo. Private university founded in 1992.
4. Université Norbert Zongo (Norbert Zongo University) - UNZ. Ranked #4 nationally and #11890 globally. Located in Koudougou, Boulkiemde. Public university established in 2005.
5. Université de Dédougou (University of Dédougou) - UD. Ranked #5 nationally and #12409 globally. Located in Dédougou, Mouhoun. Public university founded in 2012.
6. Université Saint Thomas d'Aquin (Saint Thomas Aquinas University) - USTA. Ranked #6 nationally and #12719 globally. Located in Ouagadougou, Kadiogo. Private university established in 2004.
7. Université Ouaga II (University of Ouaga II) - UO2. Ranked #7 nationally and #12727 globally. Located in Ouagadougou, Kadiogo. Public university founded in 2007.
8. University of United Popular Nations - UUPN. Ranked #8 nationally and #12997 globally. Located in Ouagadougou, Kadiogo. Private university established in 2012.
9. Université Catholique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, Burkina Faso (Catholic University of West Africa, Burkina Faso) - UCAO/UUB. Ranked #9 nationally and #13087 globally. Located in Bobo-Dioulasso, Houet. Private university founded in 2000.
10. Université Privée de Ouagadougou (Private University of Ouagadougou) - UPO. Ranked #10 nationally and #13365 globally. Located in Ouagadougou, Kadiogo. Private university established in 2010.

Analysis of University Types

Burkina Faso hosts 16 universities nationwide. Public institutions constitute 6 universities (37.5% of the total), while private universities dominate with 10 institutions (62.5%). This distribution reflects significant private sector involvement in higher education expansion since the 1990s, particularly in urban regions like Kadiogo Province where 70% of top-ranked institutions operate.

Global Ranking and Standing

No Burkina Faso universities currently rank among the world's top 200 institutions (0% of national universities). Similarly, none appear in the global top 1,000 universities (0%). While institutions show regional importance, international ranking performance indicates opportunities for enhanced research investment and global academic collaboration to elevate worldwide visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many universities are in Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso has 16 recognized universities, with 6 public and 10 private institutions.

What is Burkina Faso's top university?
Université Ouaga I Joseph Ki-Zerbo ranks as Burkina Faso's #1 university according to current national evaluations.

Are private universities in Burkina Faso accredited?
Yes, accredited private universities operate legally under the Ministry of Higher Education's supervision, constituting over 60% of national institutions.

Where are most universities located?
Ouagadougou (Kadiogo Province) hosts 7 of the top 10 universities, making it Burkina Faso's primary higher education hub.

Do Burkinabe universities appear in global rankings?
As of current assessments, no universities from Burkina Faso feature in the top 1,000 global university rankings.

Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Burkinabe universities and their online presence.

• Oldest Universities in Burkina Faso
  Explore the most traditional and long-established Burkinabe post-secondary institutions according to uniRank's original research.
• A-Z Universities in Burkina Faso
  Search for Burkinabe higher education institutions listed alphabetically from A to Z.
• Burkinabe Universities by Town
  Look for tertiary institutions located in a particular Burkinabe town or city.
• Top Public Universities in Burkina Faso
  Discover Burkinabe public higher education institutions with potentially lower tuition fees.
• Top Private Universities in Burkina Faso
  Find out about Burkinabe private higher education institutions.
• Top Non-Profit Universities in Burkina Faso
  Explore Burkinabe not-for-profit higher education institutions that may offer lower tuition fees.
• Top For-Profit Universities in Burkina Faso
  Look for Burkinabe for-profit higher education institutions.
• Top Burkinabe Universities on Facebook
  See which tertiary institutions in Burkina Faso have the most followers on Facebook, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Burkinabe Universities on Twitter
  Discover the Universities in Burkina Faso that are most followed on Twitter, based on uniRank's original research.
• Top Burkinabe Universities on Instagram
  Find out which post-secondary institutions in Burkina Faso are the most followed on Instagram, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Burkinabe Universities on YouTube
  Explore the Universities in Burkina Faso with the most subscribed channels on YouTube, based on uniRank's original research.