Universities in Costa Rica for international students

 Established in 1843, the University of Costa Rica is a public university that has been churning out students ready for life after university for close to two centuries now. Located in the capital city of Costa Rica, it has about of about forty thousand students passing through its corridors every year. It is the oldest and largest institution in the country and has some of the best research facilities in all of Central America.  

If a university focused on all things tech is what you are looking for, then you have come to the right place. Costa Rica Institute of Technology is a university dedicated to teaching and researching technology and associated sciences. The University is located on the outskirts of the city of San Jose and has a lot of space to wiggle with in its campus. Research is encouraged by the university, so its students may become self-critical people.

The National University of Costa Rica is one of five public universities in the Republic of Costa Rica, in Central America. The main campus is located in the city of Heredia. According to recent international studies, The National University of Costa Rica ranks 85th in Latin America and 1576th in the world.

INCAE Business School is an international business school located at the Francisco de Sola campus in Nicaragua and the Walter Kissling Gam campus in Costa Rica.

On April 24, 1986, the opening of the International University of the Americas was approved by the National Council for Private University Education (CONESUP), this being the first private university higher education institution approved by this body. He began his work in a building located to the east of the capital in Barrio La California, where courses in Business Administration, Preschool Education, International Trade, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, English and Tourism were taught.

Latin University of Costa Rica, commonly called ULatina, is the largest private university in Costa Rica, with more than 16,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs in Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences.

EARTH University is a private, non-profit university that offers two programs of study: an undergraduate Licenciatura degree in agricultural sciences.

ULACIT (Latin American University of Science and Technology) is a private university. It was founded on October 21, 1987, through session No. 101-87 of CONESUP, and began its work in 1988, with a central headquarters located in Barrio Tournón, San José, Costa Rica. Currently the university also has a Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CIT) in Escazú.

Established in 1976, Universidad Autónoma de Centro América (Autonomous University of Centro América) is a non-profit private higher-education institution located in the urban setting of the large town of Cipreses de Curridabat (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), San Jose. This institution also has branch campuses in the following locations: Guápiles, Nicoya, San Ramón, Paso Canoas. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Autónoma de Centro América (UACA) is a small (uniRank enrollment range: 3,000-3,999 students) coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Universidad Autónoma de Centro América (UACA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 44 years old Costa Rican higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. UACA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

The University of Medical Sciences is a private medical university in San José, Costa Rica. It is the largest and oldest private medical school in Costa Rica and one of the most prestigious in Latin America.

The National Technical University, was founded on 4 June 2008 as the fifth public university of Costa Rica. Its purpose is to provide the means for scientific and technical education to pursue the requirements of the country.

Founded in 1994, Universidad para la Cooperación Internacional (University for International Cooperation) is a non-profit private higher-education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad para la Cooperación Internacional (UCI) is a very small (uniRank enrollment range: 1,000-1,999 students) coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad para la Cooperación Internacional (UCI) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 26 years old Costa Rican higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. UCI also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, financial aids and/or scholarships, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Established in 1976, Universidad Veritas (Veritas University) is a private higher-education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Veritas (UVERITAS) is a very small (uniRank enrollment range: 1,000-1,999 students) coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Veritas (UVERITAS) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 44 years old Costa Rican higher-education institution has a selective admission policy This higher education institution has an open admission policy. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. UVERITAS also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Founded in 1995 and officially recognized by the National Council of Higher Education (CONESUP), an entity attached to the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) and accredited, in all its careers, by the National Accreditation System (SINAES), the highest accreditation body of higher education in the country.

It was the chronological twilight of the year 1980 , almost five years had already registered its cycle in the academic teaching life of Mr. Gerardo Rodolfo Valverde Segura, who as an active professor at the excellent Technological Institute of Costa Rica in the Faculty of Business Administration, had germinated in his pocket the idea of building a university educational platform that could offer opportunities for professional growth to a large Carthaginian population, which due to lack of due to their work and personal obligations,

The San Marcos University has its origins in the first commercial school that was established in Costa Rica in 1922, under the name of Escuela de Comercio Manuel Aragón, specialized in the teaching of Accounting and Commerce, a name that remained in force during many years.

A government university that prioritizes the well-being of its students and cares for them is all that some students look for when looking for a tertiary education. National University of Costa Rica is an affordable university which has targeted creating students who can excel in the work environment. It's a University founded in !973 in the province of Heredia.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) was established in 1986 with a founding membership of eighteen institutions. Because of HACU’s exemplary leadership on behalf of the nation’s youngest and fastest-growing population, the Association rapidly grew in numbers and national impact.

Founded in 1997, Universidad Americana, Costa Rica (American University, Costa Rica) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Americana, Costa Rica (UAM) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Americana, Costa Rica (UAM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. UAM also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Established in 1980, Universidad Fidélitas (Fidelitas University) is a non-profit private higher-education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of San Pedro (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), San Jose. This institution also has a branch campus in Heredia. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Fidélitas (UF) is a medium-sized (uniRank enrollment range: 6,000-6,999 students) coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Fidélitas (UF) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 40 years old Costa Rican higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. UF also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

LEAD University is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), LEAD University (ULEAD) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. LEAD University (ULEAD) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. ULEAD also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

In January 1995, Universidad La Salle Costa Rica opened its doors, being number 73 in the Lasallian world. True to the intuition of Saint John Baptist De La Salle, ULASALLE since its foundation was established as a guideline, providing higher education services with high academic strength, with strict adherence to the values of the human being that are based on the spirit of service and cooperation. It seeks to promote the dignity of the person through training aimed at preparing professionals capable of making rational and critical judgments, aware of the transcendental dignity of the human person.

Santa Paula Unified School District has been named to the College Board’s 9th Annual AP® District Honor Roll. The Honor Roll recognizes 373 school districts in the U.S. and Canada that have increased access to AP coursework while maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams. 

Álvaro Avilés Vargas, the precursor of Costa Rican education, was convinced that people should continue studying once they finished secondary education, but there was a problem at that time: very few people finished their studies because they considered that education was not important: They were farmers and ranchers. These did not require any degree or the training of a professional to carry out their work. With this vision in mind, he began to work in Adult Education, starting with night schools. In this way, he offered the possibility to the working class that they could finish their studies while working.

Established in 1997, Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana (Latin American Biblical University) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana (UBL) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana (UBL) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. UBL also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Founded in 1927, Universidad Adventista de Centro América (Adventist University of Central America) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of Alajuela (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants). Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Adventista de Centro América (UNADECA) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Adventist religion. Universidad Adventista de Centro América (UNADECA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 92 years old Costa Rican higher-education institution has a selective admission policy This higher education institution has an open admission policy. UNADECA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, as well as administrative services.

Established in 1998, Universidad Politécnica Internacional (International Polytechnic University) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Politécnica Internacional (UPI) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Politécnica Internacional (UPI) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. UPI also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Founded in 1992, Universidad de San José (University of San José) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad de San José (USJ) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad de San José (USJ) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 28 years old Costa Rican higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. USJ also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, as well as administrative services.

Established in 1997, Universidad Internacional San Isidro Labrador (International University San Isidro Labrador) is a private higher-education institution located in the small city of Pérez Zeledón (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Internacional San Isidro Labrador (UISIL) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Internacional San Isidro Labrador (UISIL) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. UISIL also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Founded in 1996, Universidad del Turismo (University of Tourism) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad del Turismo (UTUR) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad del Turismo (UTUR) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. UTUR also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Central University (UC) is located in San José, Costa Rica. It is locally known as Universidad Central. The university was established in 1990. It is accredited by Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica.

Founded in 1992, Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica (Business University of Costa Rica) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica (UNEM) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica (UNEM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. UNEM also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, as well as administrative services.

Founded in 1997, Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales (University of Business Sciences) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of Alajuela (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants). Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales (UCEM) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales (UCEM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. UCEM also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including as well as administrative services.

Founded in 1996, Universidad Juan Pablo II (John Paul II University) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Juan Pablo II (UJPII) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Juan Pablo II (UJPII) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. UJPII also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Established in 1999, Universidad Tecnológica Costarricense (Costa Rican University of Technology) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Tecnológica Costarricense (UTC) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Tecnológica Costarricense (UTC) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. UTC also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Established in 1995, Universidad Isaac Newton (Isaac Newton University) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Isaac Newton (UIN) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Isaac Newton (UIN) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. UIN also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Founded in 1996, Universidad Santa Lucía (Santa Lucía University) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Santa Lucía (USL) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Santa Lucía (USL) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. USL also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Founded in 1996, Universidad Independiente de Costa Rica (Independent University of Costa Rica) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Independiente de Costa Rica (UNICOR) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Independiente de Costa Rica (UNICOR) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. UNICOR also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Established in 1992, Universidad Evangélica de las Américas (Evangelical University of the Americas) is a non-profit private higher-education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Evangélica de las Américas (UNELA) is a very small (uniRank enrollment range: 500-999 students) coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Protestant religion. Universidad Evangélica de las Américas (UNELA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 28 years old Costa Rican higher-education institution has a selective admission policy This higher education institution has an open admission policy. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. UNELA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, as well as administrative services.

Universidad Invenio (Invenio University) is a private higher-education institution located in the large town of Tilarán (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), Guanacaste. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Invenio is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Invenio offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. Universidad Invenio also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including as well as administrative services.

Established in 1996, Universidad San Juan de la Cruz (San Juan de la Cruz University) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad San Juan de la Cruz is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad San Juan de la Cruz offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. Universidad San Juan de la Cruz also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Founded in 2000, Universidad Centroamericana de Ciencias Sociales (Central American University of Social Sciences) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Centroamericana de Ciencias Sociales (UCACIS) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Centroamericana de Ciencias Sociales (UCACIS) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. UCACIS also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Established in 1994, Universidad Braulio Carrillo (Braulio Carrillo University) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Braulio Carrillo is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Braulio Carrillo offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. Universidad Braulio Carrillo also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Founded in 1999, Universidad Neotropical (Neotropical University) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Neotropical (UN) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Neotropical (UN) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. UN also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including as well as administrative services.