10 Cheapest Universities in Bolivia for International Students

Posted on by

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America. As the home of the world’s largest salt flats, it’s also one of the best places to get some cocoa beans. With its colorful culture and low cost of living, it is a worthwhile destination for many international students. In this article, we will be looking at the cheapest universities in Bolivia.

How is higher education in Bolivia?

There are many public and private universities in Bolivia. All of these institutions focus on humanistic, scientific, and technological studies – as they collaborate to solve the country’s common problems. While the quality is not yet at par with other Latin American countries, the government makes up for this by dedicating 23% of its budget to education.

Is it possible to study in English in Bolivian universities?

Although some lessons are taught in English, all courses and degrees are taught in the Spanish language.

How much are the tuition fees in Bolivian universities in general?

Tuition ranges from BOB 5,507 ($798) to BOB 36,486 ($5,282) a year.

What are the languages of instruction for universities in Bolivia?

Most universities offer bachelor’s, masters, and doctorate courses in Spanish.

Cheap Universities in Bolivia

1. Universidad Nuestra Señora de La Paz

  • Estimated Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: about BOB 5,507 ($798) a year
  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: about BOB 5,507 ($798) a year

Nuestra Señora de La Paz University was founded in 1992 to provide humanist education. Foreign students can apply for any of the university’s 11 bachelor degrees. The basic requirements for such include a copy of the following: applicant’s high school diploma, passport, and birth certificate. Universidad Nuestra Señora de La Paz is considered the cheapest university in Bolivia with $800 a year tuition fee.

The university is recognized by the Latin American Network of University Cooperation, the Group of Ibero-American Universities of “La Rábida”, and the MEXA – MERCOSUR for its Medicine program.

2. Universidad de Aquino Bolivia

  • Estimated Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: about BOB 5,507 ($798) a year
  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: about BOB 5,507 ($798) a year

Aquino University Bolivia (UDABOL) is a private higher education institution with campuses in La Paz, Oruro, Cochabamba, and Holy Cross See. Founded in 1995, it seeks to promote an open classroom education, with emphasis on research and social extension.

UDABOL is one of the more attractive prospects in Bolivia, as foreign entrants need not take the Vestibular to be admitted. As one of the fastest-growing schools in the country, the university is a hub for a burgeoning international community.

UDABOL, which is accredited by MERCOSUR, has 18 bachelor’s and 12 master’s degrees available.

3. Universidad Privada Franz Tamayo

  • Estimated Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: about BOB 6,884 ($1,000) a year
  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: about BOB 6,884 ($1,000) a year

Founded in 1993, Franz Tamayo Private University (UNIFRANZ) is a for-profit school based in La Paz, Bolivia. This affordable university in Bolivia offers programs in the fields of Health Sciences, Economic & Business Sciences, Legal & Social Sciences, Technology Design & Crossmedia, and Engineering.

It is one of the many Bolivian universities on the road to internationalization, many thanks to its Directorate of International Relations office. With its Language Center, UNIFRANZ is the only school to award two degrees – a diploma for the corresponding profession in both Spanish and English.

4. Latin American Private Open University

  • Estimated Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: about BOB 6,884 ($1,000) a year
  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: about BOB 6,884 ($1,000) a year

Universidad Priviada Abierta Latinoamericana (UPAL) is a modern university headquartered in Cochabamba. It has 2 branches in the city (Tupac Amaru and America Campuses) and another one in Oruro (Campus Soria Galvarro).

UPAL is known for its international student community, with learners coming from 10 countries around the world. Here, students are treated to modern facilities, educational technology, and theater classes, to name a few.

The university offers degrees in Business Administration, Pharmacy, Social Communication, Marketing, Medicine, and Dentistry, to name a few.

5. Universidad Católica Boliviana

  • Estimated Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: about BOB 12,116 ($1,754) a year
  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: about BOB 12,116 ($1,754) a year

The Bolivian Catholic University (UCB) is the oldest private institution in Bolivia. Established in 1963, it has campuses in La Paz, Tarija, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz de la Sierra. This cheap university in Bolivia was founded to mold men and women who are inspired by Christian principles to become responsible leaders of society.

Despite being one of the best universities in the country, UCB does not have a selective admission process. As such, foreign students are free to apply to this respected institution.

Applicants may choose from any of its 18 Bachelor’s, 10 Masters, and 4 Doctorate degrees, all of which are taught by some of Bolivia’s most elite professors.

6. Bolivia Adventist University

  • Estimated Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: about BOB 6,900 ($1,000) a year
  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: about BOB 6,900 ($1,000) a year

Bolivia Adventist University is a private educational institution based in Cochabamba, Bolivia. It is affiliated with the Seventh-Day Adventist school system, which is the second-largest cluster in the Christian world.

Established in 1931, it offers undergraduate courses in 6 major areas: Economics & Business, Engineering, Education, Nursing, Health Sciences, and Theology. It also offers a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Education, and diploma courses in Higher Education, Neuropsychomotority, and Scientific Research.

The university’s application requirements for foreign students are as follows: original birth certificate, passport photo page photocopy, and a photocopy of high school/baccalaureate certificate.

7. Amazonian University of Pando

  • Estimated Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: about BOB 13,052 ($1,890) a year
  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: about BOB 13,052 ($1,890) a year

Universidad Amazonica de Pando was founded in 1984 in Cobija, Bolivia. From having only 2 degrees (Biology and Nursing), the school has flourished into a comprehensive university offering 14 bachelors and 2 masters degrees.

Compared to other Bolivian universities, you need to pass an entrance exam to be admitted to the school.

The affordable university in Bolivia, which is regarded for its international exchange programs, is recognized by the Bolivian Ministry of Education.

8. Bolivian Private University

  • Estimated Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: about BOB 17,210 ($2,491) a year
  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: about BOB 17,210 ($2,491) a year

Next in our list of cheapest universities in Bolivia is the Universidad Privada Boliviana (UPB), a higher education institution founded in 1993. It is guided by the mission of educating responsible professionals who are committed to the development of the country.

UPB has 2 undergraduate schools. One is Management Sciences & Law, which offers a degree in International Commerce. The other is Engineering & Architecture, which offers courses in Electromechanical, Civil, Electronics & Telecommunications, Production, Computational Systems, Industrial & Systems, and Oil & Natural Gas Engineering. This department offers an Architecture program as well.

UPB also offers a Master’s in Business Administration.

Students have the freedom to study in any of its branches in Cochabamba, La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Tarija.

9. Christian University of Bolivia

  • Estimated Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: about BOB 17,231 ($2,495) a year
  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: about BOB 17,231 ($2,495) a year

Universidad Cristiana de Bolivia (UCEBOL) was founded with the primary drive of creating professionals with a reflective and critical attitude to society. A popular choice amongst foreign students, its medical school is the only MERCOSUR-accredited institution in all of Santa Cruz.

The university’s undergraduate offers include Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Theology, and Business Administration. It also offers post-graduate programs in Theology, Education, Dentistry, and Medicine.

10. Central University

  • Estimated Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: about BOB 17,534 ($2,539) a year
  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: about BOB 17,534 ($2,539) a year

The final university in our list of cheapest universities in Bolivia is the Central University. Founded in 1990, Central University is one of the private universities in Bolivia. Also known as UNICEN, it is one of the educational institutions that provide special services to its foreign applicants. For one, international students are treated to exclusive perks such as reception services, student housing service, counseling, and visa advisory, to name a few. With these, UNICEN has become a popular choice amongst foreign enrollees.

While the main campus is in Cochabamba, UNICEN also has satellite campuses in La Paz and Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Here, students can study Medicine, Physiotherapy, Tourism, Psychology, Accounting, and Law, among many other degree offerings.

 

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Scholarships Page.