Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria and Their Fees

Choosing the right nursing school is one of the most important decisions for any student who dreams of becoming a nurse in Nigeria. With rising tuition costs, many aspirants search tirelessly for the Top 20 cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria, hoping to find affordable institutions that still offer strong training, good facilities, and recognized certificates.
This guide gives you a clear, student-friendly breakdown of the Top 20 cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria, their fees, cut-off marks, acceptance rates, and why each one is considered budget-friendly for Nigerian families.

The goal is simple: help you make a smart choice without financial stress.

What Is a School of Nursing?

A School of Nursing is a professional health institution that trains students to become Registered Nurses (RN) and midwives. It provides clinical and classroom training in areas like:

• Basic Nursing

• Community Health

• Midwifery

• Anatomy and Physiology

• Medical-Surgical Nursing

• Public Health Nursing

Schools of Nursing focus on hands-on skills, patient care, and hospital-based training. The curriculum is structured to prepare students for nursing practice in Nigeria and abroad.

Which Certificate Does a School of Nursing Give?

A School of Nursing awards the Registered Nurse (RN) Certificate, approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
Some schools also offer:

• Registered Midwife (RM) Certificate

• Post-Basic Nursing Certificates

• Basic Midwifery

• Community Nursing

The RN certificate is widely accepted in Nigeria and internationally, making graduates eligible for higher studies like B.NSc, Post-Basic Nursing, and even foreign licensure exams.

How We Selected the Schools

To compile the Top 20 cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria, we considered:

1. Affordability of Tuition

Schools with lower tuition fees ranging between ₦50,000 and ₦250,000 per session.

2. Accreditation Status

Only NMCN-accredited schools were included.

3. Quality of Facilities

We checked for good laboratories, hostels, clinical practice access, and library resources.

4. Cut-Off Mark & Admission Competitiveness

Schools with reasonable cut-off marks and moderate competition made the list.

5. Location & Accessibility

Easily reachable schools with stable environments were prioritized.

6. Graduate Success Rate

Schools known for good nursing exam pass rates and employability were selected.

Top 20 Cheapest Schools of Nursing in Nigeria and Their Fees

Below is the detailed list of the Top 20 cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria, including their fees, cut-off marks, locations, and acceptance rates. This section covers what students truly want to know before applying.

 

1. School of Nursing, Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH)

Location: Aba, Abia State
School Fees Range: ₦85,000 – ₦120,000
Cut-Off Mark: 150
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
ABSUTH offers one of the lowest tuition fees for a teaching-hospital–based nursing school. Students pay far less compared to other southern institutions.
Quality of Education:
Students benefit from hands-on training, strong clinical exposure, and experienced nurse educators.

2. School of Nursing, Umuahia

Location: Umuahia, Abia State
School Fees Range: ₦85,000 – ₦110,000
Cut-Off Mark: 160
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Its tuition is one of the lowest in the southeast, making it an accessible choice for low-income families.
Quality of Education:
Highly disciplined environment with quality clinical rotations at FMC Umuahia.

3. Katsina State School of Nursing

Location: Katsina
School Fees Range: ₦70,000 – ₦100,000
Cut-Off Mark: 150
Acceptance Rate: High
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Katsina offers one of the most affordable nursing programs in Nigeria with very low tuition and subsidized government support.
Quality of Education:
Practical-driven curriculum and strong mentorship from senior nurses.

4. School of Nursing, Maiduguri

Location: Borno State
School Fees Range: ₦75,000 – ₦110,000
Cut-Off Mark: 150
Acceptance Rate: Average
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Its low fees and government-backed support make it one of the cheapest northern institutions.
Quality of Education:
Good clinical exposure due to its teaching hospital partnerships.

5. School of Nursing, Osogbo

Location: Osun State
School Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦150,000
Cut-Off Mark: 160
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Compared to other southwestern nursing schools, its tuition remains relatively modest.
Quality of Education:
Well-structured lectures, strong discipline, and seasoned nursing tutors.

6. FCT School of Nursing, Abuja

Location: Federal Capital Territory
School Fees Range: ₦150,000 – ₦200,000
Cut-Off Mark: 170
Acceptance Rate: Low (Highly competitive)
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Despite its high standard and Abuja location, the fees are surprisingly low for the quality it offers.
Quality of Education:
Top-tier clinical practice, excellent laboratories, and outstanding student performance in nursing exams.

7. Ogun State School of Nursing, Ilaro

Location: Ogun State
School Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦150,000
Cut-Off Mark: 150
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Government subsidies help reduce tuition, keeping it affordable.
Quality of Education:
Good clinical environment and supportive teaching staff.

8. Delta State School of Nursing, Warri

Location: Delta State
School Fees Range: ₦120,000 – ₦180,000
Cut-Off Mark: 160
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
It offers quality training at a reasonable fee despite its location in a major city.
Quality of Education:
Strong emphasis on practicals and clinical rotations.

9. School of Nursing, Eket

Location: Akwa Ibom State
School Fees Range: ₦80,000 – ₦120,000
Cut-Off Mark: 150
Acceptance Rate: High
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Very low tuition fees and excellent access to clinical placements.
Quality of Education:
Students enjoy solid mentorship and a calm academic environment.

10. School of Nursing, Lantoro (Sacred Heart Hospital)

Location: Ogun State
School Fees Range: ₦120,000 – ₦180,000
Cut-Off Mark: 160
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Although private, it remains far cheaper than most private nursing schools.
Quality of Education:
Recognized for strict discipline, robust clinical training, and strong exam success rates.

11. Bauchi State School of Nursing

Location: Bauchi State
School Fees Range: ₦70,000 – ₦120,000
Cut-Off Mark: 150
Acceptance Rate: High
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Very low fees supported by state funding.
Quality of Education:
Practical exposure through state hospitals.

12. Plateau State College of Nursing and Midwifery

Location: Vom, Plateau State
School Fees Range: ₦80,000 – ₦130,000
Cut-Off Mark: 150
Acceptance Rate: High
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Affordable fees with flexible payment options.
Quality of Education:
Widely respected for high discipline and excellent midwifery training.

13. Kwara State College of Nursing and Midwifery

Location: Ilorin, Kwara State
School Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦150,000
Cut-Off Mark: 160
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Affordable for both indigenes and non-indigenes.
Quality of Education:
Strong professional ethics and practical-driven training program.

14. Ebonyi State College of Nursing (EBSU Teaching Hospital)

Location: Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
School Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦150,000
Cut-Off Mark: 160
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
EBSU’s teaching-hospital setup remains affordable compared to most southern Nigerian institutions.
Quality of Education:
Excellent hospital-based exposure and strong academic support.

15. School of Nursing, Akure

Location: Ondo State
School Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦140,000
Cut-Off Mark: 160
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Stable tuition, government support, and minimal extra charges.
Quality of Education:
Interesting learning environment with modern nursing facilities.

16. School of Nursing, Birnin-Kebbi

Location: Kebbi State
School Fees Range: ₦90,000 – ₦130,000
Cut-Off Mark: 150
Acceptance Rate: High
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
One of the most cost-friendly northern nursing programs.
Quality of Education:
Good training in community nursing and midwifery.

17. Kano State College of Nursing

Location: Kano State
School Fees Range: ₦70,000 – ₦110,000
Cut-Off Mark: 160
Acceptance Rate: High
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Very low fees due to state subsidies and strong government funding.
Quality of Education:
Excellent community health training and access to major hospitals.

18. School of Nursing, Makurdi

Location: Benue State
School Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦150,000
Cut-Off Mark: 150
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Affordable fees with good hostel options and low extra charges.
Quality of Education:
Students enjoy hands-on practicals, especially in rural health.

19. Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele

Location: Ibadan, Oyo State
School Fees Range: ₦150,000 – ₦200,000
Cut-Off Mark: 170
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
Despite being one of the most advanced colleges, the fees remain moderate.
Quality of Education:
Ultra-modern facilities, e-learning access, and top nursing exam success.

20. School of Nursing, Gusau

Location: Zamfara State
School Fees Range: ₦70,000 – ₦120,000
Cut-Off Mark: 150
Acceptance Rate: High
Why It Is Among the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria:
One of the cheapest with very low fees and minimal additional costs.
Quality of Education:
Focused training on basic nursing, midwifery, and community health.

All these institutions deliver quality training at a low cost, making them stand out when discussing the Top 20 cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria.

Their School Fees Breakdown

Although fees differ from school to school, most of the Top 20 cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria follow a similar payment structure:

Common Fee Components

• Tuition Fee: ₦50,000 – ₦200,000

• Acceptance Fee: ₦10,000 – ₦40,000

• Hostel Fee: ₦20,000 – ₦60,000

• Medical Fee: ₦5,000 – ₦15,000

• Departmental Charges: ₦5,000 – ₦10,000

• ICT Fee: ₦5,000 – ₦7,000

• Library Fee: ₦3,000 – ₦5,000

Some schools allow installment payments to ease the financial burden.

Other Costs to Expect

Apart from tuition and acceptance fees, students should also budget for:

• Uniforms

• Clinical materials (stethoscope, white shoes, name tags)

• Textbooks and study materials

• Feeding and personal upkeep

• Transport

• Examination charges

• Hostel maintenance fees

Total expected additional cost ranges between ₦30,000 – ₦80,000 per session.

Admission Requirements 

To gain admission into any of the Top 20 cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria, applicants must meet these requirements:

Basic Requirements

• Minimum of 5 credits in WAEC/NECO/NABTEB (English, Maths, Biology, Physics, Chemistry).

• Must be 17 years or older.

• Valid email and phone number.

• Birth certificate or affidavit.

• Local government identification.

Entrance Examination Requirements

• Written exam (English, Science, General Knowledge).

• Oral interview depending on the school.

• Medical fitness report.

Cut-Off Marks

Most schools accept 150–170 and above for their entrance exams.

FAQs about Applying to the Top 20 Cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria

1. Which school of nursing is the cheapest in Nigeria?

Katsina, Bauchi, and Zamfara schools are among the most affordable with fees between ₦70,000 – ₦100,000.

2. Do the Top 20 cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria accept installment payments?

Yes, many do. Candidates should confirm directly from the school’s bursary.

3. Is JAMB required for admission?

Most Schools of Nursing do not require JAMB, but some state colleges now accept JAMB scores.

4. Can I work abroad with the RN certificate?

Yes. The RN certificate is recognized internationally after writing professional licensing exams in countries like the UK, USA, and Canada.

5. What age is best to enter nursing school?

The minimum age is 17, but many applicants between 17–28 secure admission comfortably.

6. What is the duration of nursing school?

Most programs run for 3 years.

7. Which school among the Top 20 cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria has the easiest admission?

Schools in northern states often have higher acceptance rates.

8. Do these schools provide hostel accommodation?

Yes. Most schools provide affordable hostels ranging from ₦20,000 – ₦60,000 per session.

Finding an affordable nursing school is not difficult when you have accurate information. This complete guide to the Top 20 cheapest School of Nursing in Nigeria helps you understand the fees, requirements, and what to expect from each institution. Whether you live in the north, south, east, or west, there is a school on this list that fits your budget and gives you strong nursing training.