Universities in El Salvador ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 30 Universities in El Salvador

The Republic of El Salvador is divided into 14 departments (Spanish: departamentos), further subdivided into 262 municipalities (Spanish: municipios). The majority of higher education institutions that meet the uniRank selection criteria are concentrated in the department of San Salvador, which is home to the capital and largest city, San Salvador. As the educational and economic hub of the country, San Salvador plays a vital role in shaping the academic landscape of El Salvador. The following uniRank league tables and sub-rankings consider all departments that include at least one Salvadoran higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

La Libertad (7)  
San Miguel (2)  
San Salvador (16)  
Santa Ana (2)  
Sonsonate (2)  

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Overview of El Salvador Universities

El Salvador's higher education system comprises universities regulated by the Ministry of Education. The sector includes comprehensive universities offering diverse programs and specialized institutions focusing on fields like pedagogy or technology. Public universities receive government funding and typically have larger enrollments, while private institutions constitute the majority. Most universities concentrate in urban areas, particularly San Salvador, with undergraduate programs dominating the educational landscape. Accreditation is overseen by the Higher Education Evaluation Agency (AEES), ensuring academic quality across institutions.

Top 10 El Salvador Universities

1. Universidad de El Salvador (University of El Salvador, UES)
   Country Rank: #1 | World Rank: #1838. Public non-profit university founded in 1841. Located in San Salvador, San Salvador. Comprehensive institution offering bachelor's to doctoral programs.
2. Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (José Simeón Cañas Central American University, UCA)
   Country Rank: #2 | World Rank: #2549. Private non-profit university established in 1965. Located in San Salvador, San Salvador. Comprehensive programs from undergraduate to postgraduate levels.
3. Universidad Pedagógica de El Salvador (Pedagogical University of El Salvador, UPED)
   Country Rank: #3 | World Rank: #4857. Private university founded in 1982. Located in San Salvador, San Salvador. Specialized in education-related disciplines at undergraduate and graduate levels.
4. Universidad Don Bosco (Don Bosco University, UDB)
   Country Rank: #4 | World Rank: #5521. Private university established in 1984. Located in Soyapango, San Salvador. Comprehensive technical and academic programs from bachelor's to master's degrees.
5. Universidad Tecnológica de El Salvador (University of Technology of El Salvador, UTEC)
   Country Rank: #5 | World Rank: #5968. Private university founded in 1981. Located in San Salvador, San Salvador. Technology-focused programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
6. Universidad Francisco Gavidia (Francisco Gavidia University, UFG)
   Country Rank: #6 | World Rank: #6079. Private university established in 1969. Located in San Salvador, San Salvador. Comprehensive institution offering bachelor's and master's degrees.
7. Universidad Capitán General Gerardo Barrios (Captain General Gerardo Barrios University, UGB)
   Country Rank: #7 | World Rank: #6487. Private university founded in 1981. Located in San Miguel, San Miguel. Comprehensive programs from undergraduate to graduate studies.
8. Universidad de Oriente, El Salvador (University of the East, UNIVO)
   Country Rank: #8 | World Rank: #7033. Private non-profit university established in 1982. Located in San Miguel, San Miguel. Comprehensive institution offering bachelor's and postgraduate degrees.
9. Universidad Dr. Jose Matias Delgado (Dr. José Matías Delgado University, UDJMD)
   Country Rank: #9 | World Rank: #7060. Private non-profit university founded in 1977. Located in Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad. Comprehensive programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels.
10. Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador (Evangelical University of El Salvador, UEES)
    Country Rank: #10 | World Rank: #7153. Private university established in 1981. Located in San Salvador, San Salvador. Comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs.

Analysis of University Types

El Salvador has 30 recognized universities. Private institutions dominate the landscape with 26 universities (86.7% of total institutions), while only 4 universities (13.3%) are public. This distribution highlights the significant role of private education in Salvadoran higher education, with private universities offering specialized programs and public institutions serving larger student populations.

Global Ranking and Standing

El Salvador has no universities in the global top 200 rankings (0% of national institutions) and none in the top 1,000 worldwide (0%). This indicates opportunities for growth in international research recognition and academic collaboration. The highest-ranked Salvadoran university, Universidad de El Salvador, holds a global position of #1838.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the oldest university in El Salvador?
A: Universidad de El Salvador, founded in 1841, is the nation's oldest and highest-ranked institution.

Q: Are public universities free in El Salvador?
A: Public universities like UES offer subsidized tuition, while private institutions determine their own fee structures.

Q: Which city has the most universities?
A: San Salvador hosts the highest concentration, with 7 of the top 10 universities located in the capital metropolitan area.

Q: Do Salvadoran universities offer online degrees?
A: Several institutions offer distance learning programs, particularly at postgraduate level, though traditional in-person education remains dominant.

Q: How are universities accredited in El Salvador?
A: The Higher Education Evaluation Agency (AEES) oversees institutional accreditation and quality assurance processes.

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

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