Al Akhawayn University
A well-established university providing quality higher education. Offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs with dedicated faculty and supportive learning environment.
- Acceptance Rate
- 58.7%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.4
- Size
- Large (24,829 students)
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- 1:24
- Setting
- urban
- Graduation Rate
- 76.0%
- Retention Rate
- 81.0%
- Tuition (In-State)
- $4,000
- Tuition (Int'l)
- $10,000
Academic Programs
STEM
Business
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health
Arts
English Proficiency Requirements
Student Life & Environment
Al Akhawayn University's campus in Ifrane occupies grounds designed to evoke American collegiate architecture, with Georgian-style brick buildings arranged around quadrangles and green lawns uncommon in the Moroccan landscape. The mountain setting at 1,650 meters elevation brings a climate distinct from Morocco's coastal cities, with cool summers and winters cold enough to occasionally bring snow. The designed environment creates a residential campus where most students live, eat, and study in close community. Student housing accommodates the majority of undergraduates in dormitories that create built-in social groups through shared hallways and common spaces. Dining facilities serve meals drawing on both Moroccan cuisine and international options, with the rhythms of campus life shaped by meal times and prayer schedules. The student body represents Morocco's diverse regions alongside international students from throughout Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, creating a multicultural environment that mirrors the university's global aspirations. Student organizations include cultural clubs, professional associations, and recreational groups that organize events throughout the academic year. The Model United Nations team has developed a strong reputation, hosting an annual conference that draws participants from across Africa and the Arab world. Sports facilities include a gymnasium, tennis courts, and fields for soccer and other team sports. Weekend activities often involve exploring the surrounding Middle Atlas Mountains, with cedar forests and Berber villages accessible for hiking and cultural immersion. The isolated location means campus social life is largely self-contained, creating strong community bonds among students who share the residential experience.
Location & Surroundings
Ifrane sits in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco, about 60 kilometers south of the ancient city of Fes and 230 kilometers from the capital, Rabat. The town of roughly 15,000 permanent residents was developed during the French Protectorate as a resort destination, with European-style architecture that earned it the nickname "Little Switzerland." The mountain setting at 1,650 meters elevation creates a climate dramatically cooler than Morocco's coastal cities, providing relief from summer heat but requiring winter clothing foreign students might not expect when packing for North Africa. The surrounding cedar forests contain endangered Barbary macaques, and hiking trails wind through the mountains where Berber communities maintain traditional ways of life. Skiing is possible at the nearby Michlifen resort during snowy winters, offering a recreation option surprising for a country better known for desert and beaches. The isolated setting means that most entertainment and social life centers on campus rather than the small town, with students creating their own events and activities. Fes, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site, provides cultural exploration opportunities with its medieval medina, traditional crafts, and historic religious sites. The city is accessible by university shuttle or public transportation for weekend trips. Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech require longer journeys but are accessible for extended breaks. The isolation that defines campus life can feel limiting for some students but creates the close community and focused academic environment others find ideal for their education.
Costs & Career Outcomes
AUI graduates enter the Moroccan job market with credentials that distinguish them from graduates of the country's public universities, with English fluency and American-style education valued by multinational corporations and international organizations operating in the region. Consulting firms, banks, and technology companies recruit on campus, seeking graduates who can bridge Moroccan and international business cultures. The alumni network, while still developing given the university's relatively recent founding in 1995, provides growing connections to career opportunities. Many graduates pursue further education at master's and doctoral levels, with AUI's American curriculum preparing students well for graduate programs in the United States and Europe. The university maintains partnerships with American institutions that facilitate graduate school applications and, in some cases, provide preferential consideration for AUI alumni. Fulbright and other competitive fellowship programs have selected AUI graduates at rates exceeding typical Moroccan universities. Tuition at AUI runs approximately 150,000 to 180,000 Moroccan dirhams annually (roughly $15,000 to $18,000 USD), placing it among the most expensive universities in Morocco but competitive with American university costs when living expenses are considered. Room and board add approximately 40,000 to 50,000 dirhams annually for students living on campus. The university offers merit scholarships for high-achieving students and need-based financial aid that makes attendance possible for qualified students from less affluent backgrounds. Moroccan students from middle-class families often find the investment justified by enhanced career prospects, while the costs may prove prohibitive for those from lower-income backgrounds without financial aid.
Campus Location
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