Quick Summary
Since 1940, Universidad de Costa Rica has been one of Costa Rica's prominent publics, based in San José. Ranked #497 globally by QS World University Rankings 2026, it enrolls 45000 students including 3.2% from outside Costa Rica. Known for strengths in Agriculture & Forestry, Life Sciences & Medicine, Arts and Humanities, it maintains an acceptance rate of 18.5%.
01
Institutional Profile
Who they are
The highest-ranked university in Central America offering comprehensive research opportunities and low tuition costs.
Subject Strengths
Agriculture & ForestryLife Sciences & MedicineArts and HumanitiesEnvironmental Sciences
Founded1940
TypePublic
Total Students45000
Intl Students3.2%
Faculty Ratio13
CampusUrban/Suburban
Campus Size200 hectares
Affiliated HospitalsHospital San Juan de Dios, Hospital México, Hospital Calderón Guardia
AccreditationSINAES (Sistema Nacional de Acreditación de la Educación Superior)
02
Global Standing
Three independent ranking systems
QS World 2026
#497
Quacquarelli Symonds
Times Higher Ed
#801–1000
THE World University
ARWU Shanghai
#701-800
Academic Ranking
03
Academics & Research
What you can study
Bachelor's, Licentiate, Master's, Doctorate
Programs
Doctorado en Ciencias, Doctorado en Educación, Doctorado en Gobierno y Políticas Públicas, Doctorado en Estudios de la Sociedad y la Cultura
PhD Programs
Limited (Primarily bimodal and hybrid options through METICS)
Online Programs
CICANUM, CIGRAS, CIBCM, LANOTEC, CCP, CIPRONA
Research Centers
Very High
Research Output
SINAES (Sistema Nacional de Acreditación de la Educación Superior)
Accreditation
04
Admissions Brief
What it takes to get in
Entry Requirements
Acceptance Rate18.5%
IELTSNot Available
TOEFLNot Available
Min GPANot Available
GRENot Available
GMATNot Available
SATNot Available
ACTNot Available
Key Dates
FALLApplication Deadline · August 30
SPRINGApplication Deadline · March 15
MAR-APRDecisions Released
Required Documents
TranscriptsSOPEnglish ScoresLORsPassport
Insider Tip
Admission is primarily based on the PAA (Prueba de Aptitud Académica) score and high school grades. Focus on mathematics and verbal reasoning for the entrance exam.
05
Cost Ledger
Amounts in Costa Rican Colón
UG Tuition
₡1,250,000/yr
per year · CRC
Living Cost
₡4,680,000/yr
per year · CRC
PG Tuition
₡1,970,000/yr
per year · CRC
Application Fee
$20
one time · USD
Total Estimated Annual Cost
₡5,940,500/yr
tuition + living + essentials · CRC
Scholarships AvailableBecas Socioeconómicas, Becas de Honor, Becas de Estímulo (Art, Sports)
Avg Scholarship$1,500
Financial AidFull tuition waivers, monthly stipends, dining hall access, and transport subsidies based on socioeconomic status.
Work-StudyHours-student (Horas Estudiante) and Hours-assistant (Horas Asistente) schemes.
06
Featured & Popular Programs
A sample from Bachelor's, Licentiate, Master's, Doctorate programs total
| Program | Level | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | BACHELOR | 3-4 YRS |
| Law | MASTER | 1-2 YRS |
| Electrical Engineering | PHD | 3-5 YRS |
| Biology | MBA | 12-24 MO |
| Psychology | BACHELOR | 3-4 YRS |
| International Relations | MASTER | 1-2 YRS |
07
Career Outcomes
Where graduates land
$15,000
Average Salary After Graduation
82%
Employment Rate
Internship PlacementStrong clinical rotations for medical students and industry internships for engineering and business students.
Industry Connections
IntelHPMicrosoftlocal governmental ministriesand various environmental NGOs.
Notable Alumni
Oscar Arias Sánchez, Laura Chinchilla, Luis Guillermo Solís, Carlos Alvarado Quesada
08
Campus & Student Life
Life beyond lectures
Housing
On-campus available
Sports Facilities
Estadio Ecológico, Olympic swimming pool, multi-disciplinary gyms, tennis courts
Student Clubs
FEUCR student government, theater groups, dance troupes, and environmental advocacy clubs
Library Resources
SIBDI (Sistema de Bibliotecas, Documentación e Información) including the Carlos Monge Alfaro Library
Exchange Programs
Agreements with over 200 universities worldwide, including Erasmus+ partnerships
Summer Programs
Occasional intensive Spanish language and tropical biology courses