Today, there are about 20 institutions of higher learning in Rwanda: 6 public institution of higher learning: National University of Rwanda (UNR) Kigali Institute of Education (KIE), Kigali Institute of Technology and Management (KIST), Kigali Health Institute (KHI), Higher Agriculture and Veterinary Institute (ISAE). School of Finance and Banking (SFB)

and 14 private institutions of higher learning: These are:

Adventist University of Central Africa (UAAC), Kigali Independent University (ULK), Kigali Lay Adventist University (UNILAK), Gitwe Institute of Education (IGSP), Kibungo University of Agriculture, Technology and Education (UNATEK), Kabgayi Catholic University (UCK) , Butare Protestant Theological College, International college of Accountancy and Management (ICAM), Nyakibanda Major Seminary (INES), Byumba Polytechnic Institute (IPB), Rwanda Pentecostal University (UPR), Kigali Professional Institute (IESP).

Most of these institutions were created after 1994 as before that year the country had only one public University the national University of Rwanda, which was founded following the independence of Rwanda (1963) by father LEVESQUE, Busogo Agricultural and Veterinary Institute (ISAE) as well as the Mburabuturo Institute of public Finance. The NUR with its two computes (in Butare and Ruhengeri), ISAE, ISP and all other institutions of higher learning, which existed at that time, had less than 5000 students all together.

As for private institutions of higher learning before 1994, there were the Nyakibanda Major Seminary and its preparatory Minor Seminaries (in Kibungo and Kabygayi), Gisenyi St Fidèle Institute, the Adventist University of Central Afica, the Catholic Institute of Applied Education (ISCAPA) and the Butare Protestant Theological College ( FTPB) .

As for the number of students in these Universities and institutions of higher learning, it has now been tripled or indeed quadrupled. For instance, today there are 26,796 student population in higher learning institutions, compared to 24.948 students during the 2003/04 year and 20.393 students of which 12.211 (i.e. 59%) in public institutions and 8.182 students in private institution of higher learning in 2002/2003 academic year. It should be remembered that during 1997/1998 academic year there were only 5,571 students in institutions of higher learning.

Today, although certain institutions (IPB, UPR, ISTP, and IESP) have been suspended because they do not meet the conditions required by the Ministry of Education, there are 26,796 students registered in institutions of higher learning of which 12,781students are public institutions and 14,015 students in private institutions. In general, the total number of students registered in all institutions of higher learning has increased in recent years. It has for example risen from 194% in 2002/2003 compared to the preceding year.

On the issue of the gender - based disparities, the situation is more serious in universities and other higher learning institutions. During the 2004/2005 academic year, out of 26,796 students, only 10,543 students are girls (i.e. 39%) compared to 16,253 male students. It will all the same be observed that there has been a considerable evolution if it can be recalled that the number of female students in both private and public higher learning institutions was 25.4% in 1995/1996 and then 25.9% in 1997/1998 34.1% of female students in 65.9%. The percentage of female students, compared to 659% of male students registered in higher learning institution in 2001/2002.