Crawford University is a private, faith-based institution located in Igbesa, Ogun State, owned and run by the Apostolic Faith Mission. Established in 2005, the university operates on the philosophy of combining “knowledge with godliness,” blending academic instruction with a strong moral and Christian ethical foundation. This article covers the courses available at Crawford University across its faculties, the current school fees structure, and other charges prospective and returning students should budget for.
Overview of Crawford University
Crawford University moved to its permanent campus in Igbesa in 2011, after starting operations on a temporary site. The institution currently runs undergraduate, postgraduate diploma, master’s, and doctoral programmes, with a student population in the thousands drawn from across Nigeria and beyond. The university also maintains academic partnerships with institutions abroad, including universities in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which supports its postgraduate and research collaborations. Crawford enforces a strict code of conduct and dress standard for students, in line with its faith-based identity, which is a factor prospective students and parents typically weigh alongside academic considerations when choosing the institution.
Faculties and Courses Offered at Crawford University
Crawford University organizes its academic offerings into distinct faculties, each covering a cluster of related departments. The main faculties and representative courses are outlined below.
Faculty of Arts This faculty covers programmes such as English Language, History and International Studies, and Religious Studies, focusing on the humanities.
Faculty of Education Courses here combine core teaching preparation with a specialized subject area, producing graduates equipped for classroom instruction and educational administration roles.
Faculty of Business Administration This is one of the more heavily subscribed faculties, running programmes in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Banking and Finance, and Economics.
Faculty of Natural Sciences This faculty covers Computer Science, Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, and other laboratory-based science disciplines, along with programmes tied to agriculture and applied science.
Faculty of Social Sciences Departments here include Sociology, Political Science, Criminology and Security Studies, International Relations, and Mass Communication.
Faculty of Law Crawford offers a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme within this faculty, training students for legal practice.
Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences This faculty focuses on media, journalism, and information-related disciplines, complementing the broader social science and business offerings.
Beyond these undergraduate faculties, Crawford runs a School of Postgraduate Studies offering postgraduate diplomas, master’s degrees, and doctoral programmes in fields such as Computer Science and Information and Communication Technology, along with graduate offerings in business and the social sciences. In total, the university runs over 20 accredited academic programmes across its undergraduate and postgraduate structure, all recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Crawford University School Fees Structure
School fees at Crawford University are not identical across all programmes. They vary based on the specific department, college, and level of study, with science, technology, and laboratory-intensive courses generally attracting higher charges than programmes in the arts, education, or social sciences, because of the added cost of practical training, equipment, and specialized instruction.
Reported tuition figures for fresh undergraduate students at Crawford span a fairly wide range, from around ₦400,000 up to over ₦800,000 per session, depending on the specific programme and college. Programmes in the sciences, business-related professional courses, and Law tend to sit toward the higher end of this range, while general arts and education-based courses tend to fall toward the lower end. Returning students typically pay less than fresh students in the same programme, since one-time charges tied to first-time admission, such as the acceptance fee and matriculation fee, do not apply again in subsequent sessions.
The table below summarizes the main components of the fee structure that apply broadly across programmes, separate from the core tuition figure itself.
| Fee Component | Approximate Amount (₦) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance fee | 50,000 | One-time, non-refundable, paid by newly admitted students |
| Matriculation fee | 3,000 | One-time, non-refundable, paid by newly admitted students |
| Standard hostel accommodation | 30,000 per session | Optional, subject to availability |
| Two-bedded special hostel accommodation | 150,000 per session | Optional upgrade for students who prefer more private accommodation |
| Tuition (varies by programme) | Approximately 400,000 – 812,900 | Depends on college, department, and level |
Because tuition is programme-specific and can shift from one session to another as the university reviews its fee schedule, prospective students should treat the range above as a planning guide and confirm the exact figure for their specific department and level directly with the university’s bursary department or admissions office before making any payment.
Other Charges Students Should Expect
Beyond tuition, acceptance, and matriculation fees, students typically encounter additional levies covering registration, medical services, and ICT access, which are standard components of the overall fee package at most Nigerian private universities. Students who opt for university-provided feeding plans will also have that cost added separately from accommodation. Because Crawford is a residential, faith-based institution, students should also budget for basic personal upkeep, textbooks, and departmental materials specific to their course of study, none of which are captured in the core tuition figure.
Payment Options at Crawford University
Crawford University allows flexibility in how tuition is settled for a session. Students can choose to pay the full amount upfront before resumption, or spread payment across two installments, typically due at the start of each semester. In cases where installment payment is used, the university generally requires that a significant proportion of the total fee, often around 60 percent, be paid before the student is allowed to resume for the session, with the balance settled later in the session according to the university’s payment schedule. This structure gives families some flexibility in managing the financial burden of tuition without requiring the entire amount at once.
Hostel Accommodation at Crawford University
Hostel accommodation is not compulsory at Crawford University, but the institution does provide on-campus housing for students who want it, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The university generally prioritizes 100-level (fresh) students and final-year students for accommodation, reasoning that fresh students benefit most from early access to peers, study groups, and lecture halls as they settle into university life, while final-year students benefit from a stable, quiet environment during their concluding academic year. Students in the intermediate levels (200 to 300) may need to secure accommodation early or consider off-campus housing options around Igbesa if on-campus space is limited by the time they apply.
Admission Requirements at a Glance
Like most Nigerian universities, admission into Crawford University follows the standard combination of UTME performance, O’Level results, and, in many cases, a Post-UTME screening or direct assessment conducted by the university itself. Applicants need at least five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, from WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent body, obtained in not more than two sittings. Specific programmes, particularly Law and the science-based courses, may carry additional subject-specific requirements tied to their curriculum. Direct Entry candidates with an ND, HND, NCE, or A-Level qualification can also apply into relevant programmes, subject to meeting the same underlying O’Level credit requirements.
Why Fee Figures for Crawford University Vary Across Sources
Anyone comparing fee information for Crawford University online will notice a range of figures rather than one fixed number, and this is not necessarily a sign of unreliable information. Different figures often represent different programmes, different sessions, or different combinations of fees (tuition alone versus tuition plus accommodation and other levies). Because private universities in Nigeria review their fee schedules periodically, a figure that was accurate in a previous session may not exactly match the current one. Applicants should always treat any published figure as a working estimate and confirm the exact, current amount for their specific department directly with the university before finalizing financial plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance fee at Crawford University? The acceptance fee is ₦50,000, paid once by newly admitted students to confirm their offer of admission. It is non-refundable.
Is hostel accommodation compulsory at Crawford University? No. Hostel accommodation is optional and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority typically given to fresh and final-year students.
Can students pay Crawford University fees in installments? Yes. The university allows payment in two installments, generally requiring around 60 percent of the total fee to be paid before resumption, with the balance settled later in the session.
Which faculty has the highest fees at Crawford University? Programmes in the sciences, Law, and other laboratory- or practical-intensive disciplines generally attract higher fees than arts, education, or general social science programmes.
Does Crawford University offer postgraduate programmes? Yes. The university runs a School of Postgraduate Studies offering postgraduate diplomas, master’s degrees, and doctoral programmes across several disciplines.
Is Crawford University religiously affiliated? Yes. It is owned by the Apostolic Faith Mission and operates as a Christian faith-based institution, with academic and social life integrated with its moral and ethical standards.