🇨🇷 Study in Costa Rica
Strong in environment, arts. Safety safe (10/100).
Costa Rica is one of the more affordable places to study abroad — living costs run about €500–€1000 a month. Its academic strengths sit in environment, arts. Graduates get a post-study work window of around 3 months. Admission is broadly accessible at about 80% acceptance, and student visas process in around 10 days.
Key facts · Costa Rica
Official languages: es · sources: UK FCDO Travel Advice (GOV.UK), Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería. · How we calculate this
Figures are indicative estimates from the Meridian dataset — not official guidance. Always confirm current requirements on the official source before you decide.
Cost of living · Costa Rica
Indicative monthly cost of living for a moderate lifestyle, ranging about €855–€1,222/mo from economic to comfortable — modeled estimates from the Meridian dataset; confirm current local prices before you budget.
Programs in Costa Rica
University degrees (6)
- ICI Costa Rica Spanish (Instituto Costarricense Internacional)ICI Costa Rica Spanish (Instituto Costarricense Internacional) is a language institute in Costa Rica, with an official programme page available for learners exploring short- or medium-term study options.
- National University of Costa RicaThe National University of Costa Rica (in Spanish, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, abbreviated UNA) is one of five public universities in the Republic of Costa Rica, in Central America. The main campus is located in the city of Heredia.
- Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC)The Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC) is a university in Costa Rica specializing in engineering and advanced science and research, modeled as an institute of technology. Its main campus is located in the Dulce Nombre district of Cartago canton in the Cartago Province of Costa Rica, 24 km (15 mi) east of the capital San José.
- Universidad de Costa RicaThe University of Costa Rica is a public university in the Republic of Costa Rica, in Central America. Its main campus, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, is located in San Pedro Montes de Oca, in the province of San José.
- Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología Costa Rica (ULACIT)Education in Costa Rica is divided in 3 cycles: pre-education, primary education, and secondary school, which leads to higher education. School year starts between the second and third week of February, stops at the last week of June, it continues again between the third and fourth week of July and finishes between the last week of November and the second week of December.
- Universidad Nacional Costa RicaThe National University of Costa Rica is one of five public universities in the Republic of Costa Rica, in Central America. The main campus is located in the city of Heredia.
Summer schools (15)
- Academia Tica Spanish School
- Blue Valley School
- CPI - Centro Panamericano de Idiomas
- EARTH University Sustainable Summer Sessions
- Grupo Colegios SEI Summer Camp
- Intercultura Costa Rica Spanish School
Boarding schools (6)
- Ciudad de los Niños (Colegio Técnico Agustiniano)
- Ciudad Hogar Calasanz
- Costa Rica International Academy (CRIA)
- New Summit Academy Costa RicaNew Summit Academy Costa Rica is a boarding school option in Atenas, Costa Rica, with an official school page available for families exploring residential study environments.
- UWC Costa RicaUWC Costa Rica is a boarding school option in San Jose, Costa Rica, with an official school page available for families exploring residential study environments.
- UWC Costa Rica BoardingUWC Costa Rica Boarding is a boarding school option in Santa Ana, Costa Rica, with an official school page available for families exploring residential study environments.
Language schools (20)
- Academia de Idiomas Intensa
- Alianza Francesa de Costa Rica
- Berlitz Costa Rica
- Centro Cultural Británico
- Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano (CCCN)
- Escuela de Lenguas Modernas - Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR)
Exchange programs (14)
- AFS Costa Rica Programas InterculturalesAFS Costa Rica Programas Interculturales is an exchange-oriented study option linked to San Jose, Costa Rica, with an official programme page available for students exploring temporary academic mobility opportunities.
- Blue Valley School - Global Exchange Programme
- CISV Costa Rica
- Country Day School Costa Rica (Nord Anglia)
- Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC) - Student Exchange
- Lincoln School
See all programs, filters and matches in the Meridian app.
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Go deeper on Costa Rica in the Meridian app
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