Universities in Ethiopia ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 51 Universities in Ethiopia

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is divided into 9 regions (Amharic: kililoch) and 2 chartered cities (Amharic: astedader akababiwach). The majority of higher education institutions that meet the uniRank selection criteria are concentrated in the Oromia Region, which encompasses Addis Ababa, the chartered city that serves as the capital and largest city of the country. Addis Ababa is not only a political and economic hub but also a vital center for education in Ethiopia. The following uniRank sub-rankings and league tables consider all regions that include at least one Ethiopian higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Addis Ababa (6)  
Afar Region (1)  
Amhara Region (10)  
Benishangul-Gumuz Region (1)  
Central Ethiopia Regional State (2)  
Dire Dawa (1)  
Gambela Region (1)  
Oromia (1)  
Oromia Region (14)  
Sidama Region (1)  
SNNPR (1)  
Somali Region (2)  
South Ethiopia Regional State (4)  
South West Ethiopia Peoples Region (1)  
Southwest Ethiopia Region (1)  
Tigray Region (4)  

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Overview of Ethiopia Universities

Ethiopia's higher education system has expanded rapidly since the 1950s, transitioning from elite-focused to mass enrollment. Dominated by public universities established by the federal government, the sector includes a small but growing number of private institutions. Universities are classified as comprehensive (offering diverse disciplines) or specialized (e.g., science/technology-focused). Most prioritize teaching and research across undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. The system is regulated by the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, with institutions distributed across all regional states to promote equitable access.

Top 10 Ethiopia Universities

1. Addis Ababa University (አዲስ አበባ ዩኒቨርሲቲ) - AAU
   Country Rank: 1 | World Rank: 2257
   Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa | Founded: 1950
   Public | Comprehensive | Fields: Multidisciplinary
2. Jimma University (ጅማ ዩኒቨርስቲ) - JU
   Country Rank: 2 | World Rank: 4958
   Jimma, Oromia Region | Founded: 1983
   Public | Comprehensive | Fields: Multidisciplinary
3. Bahir Dar University (ባህር ዳር ዩኒቨርስቲ) - BDU
   Country Rank: 3 | World Rank: 5666
   Bahir Dar, Amhara Region | Founded: 2001
   Public | Comprehensive | Fields: Multidisciplinary
4. University of Gondar (ጎንደር ዩኒቨርስቲ) - UoG
   Country Rank: 4 | World Rank: 5713
   Gondar, Amhara Region | Founded: 1954
   Public | Comprehensive | Fields: Multidisciplinary
5. Hawassa University (ሀዋሳ ዩኒቨርስቲ) - HWU
   Country Rank: 5 | World Rank: 6282
   Awasa, Sidama Region | Founded: 1976
   Public | Comprehensive | Fields: Multidisciplinary
6. Mekelle University (መቐለ ዩኒቨርስቲ) - MU
   Country Rank: 6 | World Rank: 6948
   Mekelle, Tigray Region | Founded: 1991
   Public | Comprehensive | Fields: Multidisciplinary
7. Haramaya University (ሀረማያ ዩኒቨርሲቲ) - HRU
   Country Rank: 7 | World Rank: 7471
   Haramaya, Oromia Region | Founded: 1954
   Public | Comprehensive | Fields: Multidisciplinary
8. Adama Science and Technology University (ቴክኖሎጂ ዩኒቨርሲቲ, አዳማ ሳይንስና ቴክኖሎጂ ዩኒቨርሲቲ) - ASTU
   Country Rank: 8 | World Rank: 7689
   Adama, Oromia | Founded: 1993
   Public | Specialized | Fields: Science, Technology, Engineering
9. Arba Minch University (በአርባ ምንጭ ዩኒቨርሲቲ) - AMU
   Country Rank: 9 | World Rank: 8287
   Arba Minch, South Ethiopia Regional State | Founded: 1986
   Public | Comprehensive | Fields: Multidisciplinary
10. Jigjiga University (ጅጅጋ ዩኒቨርሲቲ) - JJU
    Country Rank: 10 | World Rank: 8832
    Jigjiga, Somali Region | Founded: 2007
    Public | Comprehensive | Fields: Multidisciplinary

Analysis of University Types

Ethiopia's university landscape is overwhelmingly dominated by public institutions. Of the 51 universities recognized nationally:

• 49 are public (96.1% of all universities)
• 2 are private (3.9% of all universities)

This distribution highlights the government's central role in higher education provision, with private universities representing a niche segment.

Global Ranking and Standing

Ethiopian universities are building their global presence but currently rank outside leading international tiers:

• 0 universities rank in the global top 200 (0% of Ethiopia's institutions)
• 0 universities rank in the global top 1,000 (0% of Ethiopia's institutions)

Addis Ababa University leads nationally at World Rank #2257. Continued investment in research and infrastructure is key to enhancing the global competitiveness of Ethiopia's top-ranked universities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Ethiopia's highest-ranked university?
Addis Ababa University (AAU) consistently ranks as Ethiopia's #1 university.

Are there private universities in Ethiopia?
Yes, though they are limited. Only 3.9% of Ethiopia's universities (2 out of 51) are private institutions.

Where are most Ethiopian universities located?
Universities are strategically distributed across all regional states. Key academic hubs include Addis Ababa, Oromia, Amhara and emerging centers like Hawassa and Mekelle.

What is the oldest university in Ethiopia?
Addis Ababa University, founded in 1950, is Ethiopia's oldest and largest higher education institution.

Do Ethiopian universities offer postgraduate programs?
Yes. Most public universities provide master's and PhD programs alongside undergraduate degrees.

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

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