6 Cheapest Universities in Panama for International Students

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Panama is one of the best destinations for foreign students. Apart from the low cost of living, public universities are relatively inexpensive, even for international applicants. If you’re considering studying in sunny South America, then make sure to choose from any of these cheap universities in Panama.

What is the state of higher education in Panama?

Panamanian higher education is divided into 2 categories. University Superior institutions grant students with bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees. Technical programs, on the other hand, are given in Non-University Superior institutions.

Can you study English programs in Panama?

Some bachelor’s and master’s degrees are taught in English, but most are taught in Spanish. As for doctorate degrees, proficiency in English is required even if the program is taught in Spanish.

What is the tuition fee in Panamanian universities?

The tuition ranges from $1,000 to about $10,000 a year.

What are the languages used in teaching at Panamanian universities?

Most courses are taught in Spanish, although there are some degrees offered in English.

Cheap Universities in Panama

1. Universidad Latina de Panamá

  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: $1,000 to $2,500 a year
  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: $2,500 to $5,000 a year

Universidad Latina de Panamá is a private educational institution established in 1989. Based in Panama City, it also has satellite campuses in David, Santiago, Azuero, and Penonome. It is accredited by CONEAUPA and RLCU, among many other governing parties. The university offers degrees in Communications, Education, Health Science, Law, Political Science, and Business.

Foreign students need to submit a diploma of secondary schooling/bachelor’s diploma, duly legalized academic credits, a copy of the passport, and passport-sized photos. With the tuition fee of approximately $1,000 a year, Universidad Latina de Panamá is the cheapest university in Panama for international students.

2. Technological University of Panama

The Technological University of Panama, established in 1981, is the country’s second-largest institution. The main campus is situated in Panama City, although there are seven other campuses throughout the nation.

True to its’ name, the university offers bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering, and Science & Technology. This is apart from the several Masters and Doctorate degrees offered by the university.

To be admitted to this affordable university in Panama, foreign applicants need to submit a copy of a high school diploma, transcript, valid ID (Passport), and passport photo. These should be translated into Spanish. A request letter to the Secretary-General is needed as well.

3. International Maritime University of Panama

  • Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: 1895 BAP ($1895) a year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: ~1895 BAP ($1895) a year
  • Tuition Fee Link

The International Maritime University of Panama is a maritime institution based in Panama City. Situated at the former Albrook Air Force Base, it is a specialized college for cadets who wish to become ship officers.

Its bachelor courses cover the disciplines of Nautical Sciences, Maritime Transport, Marine Sciences, and Maritime Civil Engineering. It also offers Masters programs in Marine & Coastal Resources, Innovation & Research in Higher Education, and Bunker Operations.

Foreign students are required to submit the following: birth certificate, passport, passport-sized photos, high school diploma, and transcript of records.

4. Florida State University – Panama

  • Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: $8,400 a year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: $12,400 a year
  • Tuition Fee Link

Next on our list of cheap universities in Panama is FSU – Panama. Founded in 1957, Florida State University (FSU) is the second-oldest institution in Panama. Here, students can take any of its 88 Bachelor’s courses, which can be finished at the Tallahassee campus. However, some can be completed at Panama – and these include Computer Science, Latin American or Caribbean studies, International Affairs, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Environment.

As for a graduate degree, the only available program in the Panama campus is the Master of Science in International Affairs.

Caribbean and Latin American students are eligible for FSU’s 2+2 scholarship program.

5. Quality Leadership University

Quality Leadership University (QLU) is a private institution founded in 1997. Based in Panama City, it has agreements with several American institutions, including the University of Louisville, Florida International University, and the University of South Tampa, to name a few.

The university offers undergraduate programs in Communication and International Business, as well as 3+1, 2+2, and 1+3 courses that can be finished in either the US or Panama.

QLU also offers postgraduate degrees in Engineering Management, Finance, Construction Management, Human Resources, and Digital Marketing.

6. Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua

  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: $10,000 a year
  • Estimated Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: $7,500 a year

The final candidate in our list of cheapest universities in Panama is Santa María La Antigua Catholic University, also known as USM. It is the first private university in Panama. It was established in 1965 in Panama City, though it currently has campuses in Colon, David, Chitre, and Santiago.

The university offers programs in Humanities & Theology, Business, Engineering, Social Science, Law & Political Science, and Architecture.

The admission requirements for foreigners are as follows: high school diploma, transcript of records, passport copy, migration card copy, passport-size photos, and certificate of good health.

 

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