Positioned on the southern coast of West Africa, Ivory Coast, officially Côte d’Ivoire, became independent from France on August 7, 1960. The country’s latest adult literacy figure reported by the World Bank is 40.3% for 2021. Its higher education sector has expanded significantly: official Ivorian data report nine public universities and 571 private higher education institutions in 2022–2023. Tuition varies by institution and program, so the schools below are listed as affordable options that publish current fees and offer English-language or internationally oriented programs.
Affordable Schools in Ivory Coast for International Students
1. Graduate School of Management
- Tuition and Enrollment Fees: FCFA 2,500,000 – FCFA 3,000,000 per academic year for most listed bachelor’s and master’s options, approximately USD 4,400 – USD 5,300
In a country where French is widely used, the Graduate School of Management-Abidjan (GSM-Abidjan) offers English and bilingual business and management programs. Located in Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire, this private higher education institution was founded in 2002. GSM-Abidjan states that it is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Côte d’Ivoire. Historical profiles have also listed international links with institutions such as the University of Wolverhampton and professional bodies, but prospective students should confirm the current status of any overseas partnership directly with GSM before applying.
GSM currently lists undergraduate programs in Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Economics, Law, Communication, and Information Technology. At the graduate level, it lists a Master of Business Administration with specializations in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, International Business Management, Finance, Project Management, Marketing and Sales Management, and Human Resource Management. It also lists Bachelor Bilingue, online bachelor’s and master’s options, a Diploma in Business Studies, English-language training, and professional studies. For 2025–2026, the official tuition schedule lists FCFA 3,000,000 for standard bachelor’s and first-year MBA options and FCFA 2,500,000 for the online or bilingual bachelor option; detailed annual charges may vary by year of study and program.
2. International University of Grand-Bassam
- Tuition and Mandatory Fees: FCFA 2,240,000 – FCFA 2,408,000 per semester for 12 – 16 credits, approximately USD 4,000 – USD 4,300; two-semester annual estimate: FCFA 4,480,000 – FCFA 4,816,000, approximately USD 8,000 – USD 8,600
The International University of Grand-Bassam (IUGB) is an independent, not-for-profit, American-style higher education institution located in Grand-Bassam, about 30 minutes east of Abidjan. It opened in 2005 and was formally accredited as a university in Côte d’Ivoire by Decree No. 2007-477 on May 16, 2007. IUGB delivers an English-language liberal arts education and is organized around the School of Business and Social Sciences (BSS) and the School of Science and Engineering (SSE), with a University Preparatory Program and continuing education offerings.
IUGB’s current school and program pages list undergraduate degrees including Business Administration, Political Science, Computer Information Systems, Economics, Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mining Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Statistics and Artificial Intelligence, and Supply Chain and Logistics Technology. The official partnerships page lists active memoranda of understanding with institutions and organizations in the United States, France, India, and other countries; examples include Georgia State University, the University of Houston, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Official tuition and mandatory fees for 12 – 16 credits are FCFA 2,240,000 per semester for ECOWAS students and FCFA 2,408,000 per semester for non-ECOWAS students, with additional credits charged separately.
We hope that this article on cheap universities in Ivory Coast was helpful. If you are interested in studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
