Bolivia University: City Campus Experience?

Bolivia is home to several universities, with 39 universities and 828 study programs, according to one source. The Higher University of San Andrés, founded in 1830, is located in the medium-sized city of La Paz and is the top-ranked university in Bolivia. The University of San Simón, founded in 1832 and located in Cochabamba, is another prominent institution. The largest cities in Bolivia, such as Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, and La Paz, offer a range of higher education options, with 48 universities in the country as of 2001. The growth of private universities has been notable, with 35 established after 1989, and they are generally more accessible than public universities due to less difficult entrance exams.

University locations in Bolivia

Bolivia is home to several universities spread across its cities, with some of the top institutions located in La Paz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Oruro, and Cochabamba. The country boasts a higher education system comprising 39 universities, according to sources, with a mix of public and private institutions.

La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, is a hub for higher education. It is home to the Higher University of San Andrés (Universidad Mayor de San Andrés), a prominent public university founded in 1830. La Paz also hosts the Bolivian Catholic University (Universidad Católica Boliviana), one of the top-ranked institutions in the country, along with other institutions like Universidad Nuestra Señora de La Paz and Universidad Privada Abierta Latinoamericana.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the largest city in Bolivia, is another centre for higher education. It is home to the Gabriel Rene Moreno Autonomous University (Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno), ranked among the top universities in Latin America. Additionally, institutions like the Private University of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Universidad Privada de Santa Cruz de la Sierra), Domingo Savio Private University (Universidad Privada Domingo Savio), and the National Ecological University (Universidad Nacional Ecológica) are located in this city.

Cochabamba, the third-largest city in Bolivia, is notable for the Higher University of San Simón (Universidad Mayor de San Simón), a public institution founded in 1832. Other universities in Cochabamba include the Bolivian Private University (Universidad Privada Boliviana) and the Adventist University of Bolivia (Universidad Adventista de Bolivia).

Oruro, another significant city in Bolivia, is home to the Technical University of Oruro (Universidad Técnica de Oruro), which ranks highly among Latin American universities.

Other universities in Bolivia are scattered across various cities. For instance, the Autonomous University Juan Misael Saracho (Universidad Autónoma Juan Misael Saracho) is located in Tarija, while the Bolivian University of Tomás Frías (Universidad Autónoma Tomás Frías) is in Potosí. Sucre, the constitutional capital of Bolivia, is home to the Royal and Pontifical University of San Francisco Xavier (Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia San Francisco Xavier). The Amazonian University of Pando (Universidad Amazónica de Pando) is situated in the city of Cobija, and the Military School of Engineering (Escuela Militar de Ingeniería) is in El Alto.

University rankings in Bolivia

According to the QS World University Rankings, the University of San Andrés is the highest-ranked university in Bolivia, placing 1201st globally. The University of San Simón is another top-ranked institution in Bolivia, ranking 1288th in the world for Health Sciences, according to the Nature Index.

Other notable universities in Bolivia include the Bolivian Catholic University, the University of Saint Francis Xavier, the Central University of Bolivia, and the Gabriel René Moreno Autonomous University. These institutions are consistently listed in multiple rankings and are well-regarded in the country.

Factors Affecting Rankings

Student Satisfaction

Student satisfaction is an essential factor in university rankings. For example, the Bolivian Private University in Cochabamba has a student satisfaction rating of 4.4 out of 5.0, making it a desirable choice for prospective students.

Best Cities to Study in Bolivia

When considering where to study in Bolivia, La Paz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Oruro, and Cochabamba are popular choices due to the presence of highly ranked universities and a vibrant student community.

University costs in Bolivia

Public vs Private Universities

Bolivia has both public and private universities. Public universities are financially supported by the Bolivian government, but this support is only intended for Bolivian students. As a result, public universities are free for Bolivian students, whereas foreigners will pay between 50% to 100% of the tuition costs. Private universities, on the other hand, rely solely on tuition fees paid by both native and foreign students. Foreign students typically pay the full tuition fees for private universities, but may only pay between 20% to 80% thanks to available exchange programs.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for public universities are $0 for Bolivians and around $8,000 for foreigners. For private universities, tuition costs can range from $3,500 to $18,000. The Private University of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (UPSA), for example, charges tuition fees of 14,845 BOB (around 2,150 USD) per semester if paid upfront. The Bolivian Catholic University (UCB), considered one of the best private universities in Bolivia, offers scholarships that cover 30% to 100% of tuition fees.

Living Costs

Living costs will make up a significant portion of the total cost of studying in Bolivia, as universities in the country do not have on-campus accommodation. In Santa Cruz, for instance, university students can rent small rooms for about $100 a month, while apartments can cost upwards of $300 a month. Utilities such as cooking gas, water, electricity, and internet can add to the overall living expenses.

Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD Programs

The total cost of a bachelor's degree in Bolivia typically ranges from $10,000 to $40,000, including living expenses. For foreign students, the cost for both private and public universities is often around $50,000 for a bachelor's degree.

Master's degree programs in Bolivia will usually cost around $15,000 to $20,000, including living expenses, with tuition averaging $7,000.

PhD programs are also available in Bolivia, with tuition costs of around $12,000 for two years of study, bringing the total cost to approximately $30,000 when factoring in living expenses.

University admissions in Bolivia

The higher education system of Bolivia is represented by 39 universities with 828 study programs. This includes 558 Bachelor's programs, 219 Master's programs, and 51 PhD programs.

Students enroll in universities by taking an academic test of basic skills acquired in secondary education, together with a psychotechnical diagnostic, or a course for people who have not taken or passed the above test. Some students receive special admission, which is granted to experienced professionals who finished high school, officers of the armed forces or the police, or students with foreign titles recognized through international agreements.

The most popular disciplines in Bolivia include:

• Law and Jurisprudence
• Environmental Studies
• Education and Teaching
• Applied Sciences and Professions

Some of the universities in Bolivia include:

• Higher University of San Andrés
• Valle Private University
• Domingo Savio Private University
• Higher University of San Simón
• Latin American Private Open University

History of Bolivian higher education

The history of higher education in Bolivia began with the foundation of the Royal and Pontifical University of San Francisco Xavier (UMSFX) in La Plata (Sucre) in 1624, during the Spanish colonisation of the region. The University of San Francisco Xavier was based on the model of the University of Salamanca, with a curriculum centred on theology and humanism. In the colonial era, higher education was influenced by Saint Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica, and degrees were awarded only in theology and law. Forensics was added to the curriculum in 1776 at the Caroline Academy.

After Bolivia gained independence, the country underwent a process of creating a new republic, and the higher education system began to change. Several new universities were established in the 19th century, including the Bolivian University of San Andrés (UMSA) in La Paz in 1830, and the Bolivian University of San Simón (UMSS) in Cochabamba in 1832. Medicine was added to the curriculum in 1863.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several more universities were founded, including the University of St Thomas Aquinas (later known as the University Gabriel René Moreno) in 1880, the University of St. Augustine (which became the University of Oruro) in 1892, and the University of Potosi (now the Bolivian University of Tomás Frías) in 1892.

The 20th century saw continued growth and development in Bolivian higher education, with the establishment of additional universities such as the Bolivian University of Juan Misael Saracho (UAJMS) in 1946, the Catholic University of Bolivia (UCB) in La Paz in 1966, and the Bolivian University of General José Ballivián (also known as the Beni Technical University) in 1967.

In 1988, the Bolivian Congress passed legislation authorising the creation of private universities for the first time, ending a period where higher education was exclusively available at state-controlled institutions. This led to the establishment of private universities such as the Universidad Privada Boliviana (UPB), which opened its doors in 1992.

Despite the growth in the number of universities, the higher education system in Bolivia has faced challenges. In the late 1980s, there were high dropout rates, especially among girls and rural children. Additionally, there was a divide between urban and rural areas, with rural illiteracy levels remaining high while the rest of the country became increasingly literate. Efforts to improve the system included a comprehensive education reform initiated in 1994, which decentralised educational funding and improved teacher training and curricula.

Frequently asked questions