Universities in Colombia

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 207 Universities in Colombia

The Republic of Colombia is divided into 32 departments (Spanish: departamentos), which are further subdivided into provinces (Spanish: provincias) or municipalities (Spanish: municipios). Bogotá, the autonomous capital and largest city, is administered as the Capital District (Spanish: Distrito Capital). The majority of higher education institutions that meet the uniRank selection criteria are located in the Bogotá Capital District, making it a key educational center in the country. The following uniRank sub-rankings and league tables consider all departments that include at least one Colombian higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Antioquia (31)  
Atlantico (13)  
Bogota (78)  
Bolivar (9)  
Boyaca (3)  
Caldas (4)  
Caqueta (1)  
Casanare (1)  
Cauca (7)  
Cesar (1)  
Choco (2)  
Cordoba (2)  
Cundinamarca (3)  
Huila (4)  
La Guajira (1)  
Magdalena (1)  
Meta (2)  
Narino (5)  
Norte de Santander (3)  
Quindio (3)  
Risaralda (4)  
Santander (10)  
Sucre (3)  
Tolima (4)  
Valle del Cauca (12)  

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The Higher Education System in Colombia

The higher education system in Colombia is governed by the Ministry of Education and is regulated through various laws, including Law No. 30 of 1992, which outlines the framework for the sector.

Types of higher education institutions in Colombia

Colombia has several types of higher education institutions:

1. Universidades: universities offer undergraduate programs, specializations, master’s degrees, and doctoral programs.
2. Institución Universitaria: university Faculties provide undergraduate degrees, specializations, and master’s degrees.
3. Institución Tecnológica: technological Institutions focus on undergraduate and specialization programs in technological fields.
4. Institución Técnica Profesional: professional Technical Institutions offer programs in operational and technical fields.

Access to higher education in Colombia

Students gain access to higher education after completing secondary education and obtaining a Bachillerato certificate. They must pass a state exam, known as Examen de Estado, administered by the Instituto Colombiano para la Evaluación de la Educación (ICFES).

Languages of Instruction in Colombia

University programs are primarily taught in Spanish.

Stages of higher education in Colombia

1. First stage: pregrado (Undergraduate studies) lasts between 2 and 5 years, depending on the program, leading to a professional title or degree.
2. Second stage: posgrado (Postgraduate studies) includes specializations, master’s degrees, and doctoral programs. Specialist programs last 1-2 years, master’s degrees usually take 2 years, and doctoral programs may last 2-5 years.

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

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