2025 - 2026 SAA Rankings for Best Value Universities In Costa Rica For International Students
Costa Rica is surely one of the best places that you can consider if you’re planning to study abroad. The many grand opportunities that await while and after studying also add fuel to the fire. It also helps that besides the most popular schools, the country has more institutions to offer, with 3 in total.
With so many available options, it can be hard to find the best pick according to your budget, course preferences, and other factors. You want to find the institution that is the perfect fit or offers the best value for your money.
To help you out, we have ranked the best-value universities in Costa Rica. They are known for offering high standards of education while keeping the costs affordable for international students.
| Rank | University | Percentage Ranking (World) | Founded Year | City | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Costa Rica | 12 % | 1940 | San Jose, CR | Public |
| 2 | Costa Rica Institute of Technology | 35 % | 1971 | Cartago | Public |
| 3 | LEAD University | 87 % | San Jose, CR | Private |
3 Best Value Institutions in Costa Rica for International Students
Here are the 3 best-value institutions in Costa Rica for international students. Here, you’ll learn more about their rankings, international student population, and their background.
1 University of Costa Rica
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The University of Costa Rica is the first, largest, and most well-funded institution for higher education in the country. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in different fields of liberal arts. The university also promotes humanistic teaching which encompasses not only the intellectual but also the emotional, creative, social, and practical aspects of the individual.
2 Costa Rica Institute of Technology
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The Costa Rica Institute of Technology, known as Tecnologico de Costa Rica in Spanish, is a renowned, multi-campus public institution in Central America. It specializes in the sciences, research, and engineering. However, it may also offer courses beyond its specialization, such as business or the social sciences. Its formation and education were patterned after other technological schools, such as the TEC de Monterrey in Mexico.
3 LEAD University
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LEAD University, shortly known as ULead, is a private university in Costa Rica with innovation at its foundation. It teaches students based on an innovative pedagogy within an innovative campus to prepare them for a future of innovative careers. However, this university isn’t all about innovation. It also promotes these values: excellence, freedom, tolerance, veracity, leadership, teamwork, adaptability, creativity, respect, and ethics.
Education is one of the biggest investments a person can make. Many international students have found their school funds best spent in Costa Rica, particularly in these best-value universities we have shared above. Thus, it’s a great idea to include them in your list of institutions for studying abroad.