Universities in Costa Rica ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 55 Universities in Costa Rica

The Republic of Costa Rica is divided into 7 provinces (Spanish: provincias), which are further subdivided into 82 cantons (Spanish: cantones) and 473 districts (Spanish: distritos). The majority of higher education institutions that meet the uniRank selection criteria are located in the San José province, home to the nation's capital, San José. This province serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. The following uniRank league tables and sub-rankings consider all provinces that include at least one Costa Rican higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Alajuela (4)  
Cartago (2)  
Guanacaste (1)  
Heredia (1)  
Limon (1)  
San Jose (46)  

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Overview of Costa Rica Universities

Costa Rica's higher education system features 55 accredited institutions, blending public universities with private colleges. Governed by the National Council of Higher Education (CONESUP), the system includes comprehensive research universities and specialized institutions. Public universities receive state funding and emphasize research, while private institutions offer specialized programs in business, technology and health sciences. English-taught programs attract international students, particularly in sustainability and tropical sciences. All degrees require CONESUP accreditation for validity.

Top Costa Rica Universities

1. Universidad de Costa Rica (University of Costa Rica) - UCR | #1 Costa Rica, #540 World | San José, San José | Est. 1940 | Public | Comprehensive programs
2. Universidad Nacional (National University, Costa Rica) - UNA | #2 Costa Rica, #1437 World | Heredia, Heredia | Est. 1973 | Public | Comprehensive programs
3. Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (Costa Rica Institute of Technology) - ITCR | #3 Costa Rica, #2208 World | Cártago, Cartago | Est. 1971 | Public | STEM-focused
4. INCAE Business School, Costa Rica - INCAE | #4 Costa Rica, #4776 World | Alajuela, Alajuela | Est. 1964 | Private | Business specialization
5. Universidad Latina de Costa Rica (Latin University of Costa Rica) - ULatina | #5 Costa Rica, #5116 World | San Pedro, San José | Est. 1989 | Private | Comprehensive programs
6. Universidad EARTH (EARTH University) - EARTH | #6 Costa Rica, #5401 World | Guácimo, Limón | Est. 1990 | Private | Agricultural/environmental focus
7. Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología (Latin American University of Science and Technology) - ULACIT | #7 Costa Rica, #5710 World | San José, San José | Est. 1987 | Private | Technology/business focus
8. Universidad Técnica Nacional (National Technical University) - UTN | #8 Costa Rica, #5889 World | Alajuela, Alajuela | Est. 2008 | Public | Technical/vocational programs
9. Universidad Internacional de las Américas (International University of the Americas) - UIA | #9 Costa Rica, #6451 World | San José, San José | Est. 1986 | Private | Comprehensive programs
10. Universidad Hispanoamericana (Hispano-American University) - UH | #10 Costa Rica, #7000 World | San José, San José | Est. 1992 | Private | Health sciences focus

Analysis of University Types

Costa Rica's 55 higher education institutions show significant disparity between public and private sectors. Only 4 public universities (7.3%) operate alongside 51 private institutions (92.7%). This distribution highlights private sector dominance in specialized fields like business and health sciences, while public universities maintain comprehensive research mandates. Geographic concentration is evident with 70% of institutions in San José Province.

Global Ranking and Standing

While no Costa Rican universities rank in the global top 200, one institution (1.8% of total) appears in the top 1,000 worldwide. This represents Costa Rica's strongest global academic presence. The nation's highest-ranked university holds position #540 globally, reflecting competitive STEM and sustainability programs. Overall, 98.2% of institutions rank beyond the top 1,000, indicating growth opportunities in international recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are Costa Rican degrees recognized internationally?
A: Degrees from CONESUP-accredited institutions hold international recognition, particularly in North America and Europe.

Q: What are popular study fields in Costa Rica?
A: Leading programs include environmental science, sustainable development, business administration, tropical medicine and renewable energy engineering.

Q: Do universities teach in English?
A: Many private universities offer English-taught programs, particularly in business and international relations, while public institutions primarily teach in Spanish.

Q: How affordable is Costa Rican higher education?
A: Public universities offer significantly lower tuition (∼$500-$1,000/year) compared to private institutions ($2,000-$6,000/year).

Q: What distinguishes public and private universities?
A: Public institutions emphasize research with broader program offerings, while private universities feature specialized curricula with stronger industry connections.

Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Costa Rican universities and their online presence.

• Oldest Universities in Costa Rica
  Explore the most traditional and long-established Costa Rican post-secondary institutions according to uniRank's original research.
• A-Z Universities in Costa Rica
  Search for Costa Rican higher education institutions listed alphabetically from A to Z.
• Costa Rican Universities by Town
  Look for tertiary institutions located in a particular Costa Rican town or city.
• Top Public Universities in Costa Rica
  Discover Costa Rican public higher education institutions with potentially lower tuition fees.
• Top Private Universities in Costa Rica
  Find out about Costa Rican private higher education institutions.
• Top Non-Profit Universities in Costa Rica
  Explore Costa Rican not-for-profit higher education institutions that may offer lower tuition fees.
• Top For-Profit Universities in Costa Rica
  Look for Costa Rican for-profit higher education institutions.
• Top Costa Rican Universities on Facebook
  See which tertiary institutions in Costa Rica have the most followers on Facebook, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Costa Rican Universities on Twitter
  Discover the Universities in Costa Rica that are most followed on Twitter, based on uniRank's original research.
• Top Costa Rican Universities on Instagram
  Find out which post-secondary institutions in Costa Rica are the most followed on Instagram, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Costa Rican Universities on YouTube
  Explore the Universities in Costa Rica with the most subscribed channels on YouTube, based on uniRank's original research.