🇨🇷 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, and student visas process in around 10 days.
Affordable destination
Key facts · Costa Rica
Monthly cost
€500–1000
Acceptance rate
Broadly accessible
Visa processing
~10d
Work visa
3 mo
QS rank (best)
QS ranking data unavailable
Scholarships
—
Official languages: es. · How we calculate this
Risk score sources: UK FCDO Travel Advice (GOV.UK), Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería.
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
Rent
€400
Food
€180
Transport
€40
Other
€90
Monthly total
€1,039
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 SchoolAcademia Tica Spanish School operates two locations in Costa Rica (Coronado in San José and Jacó Beach) offering Spanish language programs including general courses starting at 20 group lessons per week, private lessons ranging from 2 to 30 per week, DELE exam preparation, surf and Spanish courses, and online classes. The school also provides volunteering and internship opportunities, and has received TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards for 2025 and 2026.
- Blue Valley SchoolBlue Valley High School is a 9-12 public high school in Overland Park, Kansas, United States. It is operated by the Blue Valley USD 229 school district.
- CPI - Centro Panamericano de IdiomasCPI - Centro Panamericano de Idiomas is a Spanish language school in Costa Rica with three locations: CPI Heredia (urban), CPI Flamingo (beach), and CPI Monteverde (cloud forest). The institution offers onsite Spanish immersion programs including group classes, one-on-one lessons, and family programs, as well as online courses. CPI is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes and has partnerships with universities for credit transfer.
- EARTH University Sustainable Summer Sessions
- Grupo Colegios SEI Summer Camp
- Intercultura Costa Rica Spanish SchoolIntercultura Costa Rica Spanish School operates two campuses—one in Heredia city and one in Playa Sámara—offering Spanish immersion programs for adults, families, teenagers, and groups through classroom instruction conducted entirely in Spanish combined with daily cultural activities. The school is accredited through the US university system for undergraduate academic credit, recognized by the German Bildungsurlaub program, and holds membership in the United Nations Global Compact for corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Boarding schools (6)
- Ciudad de los Niños (Colegio Técnico Agustiniano)
- Ciudad Hogar Calasanz
- Costa Rica International Academy (CRIA)Costa Rica International Academy (CRIA) is a private, United States-accredited, day school located between the Flamingo Beach and Tamarindo Beach in Brasilito, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. CRIA is 1 of 10 US accredited schools in Costa Rica, and the only one in Guanacaste province. It was originally founded as Country Day School (CDS). The school serves students in grades pre-K to twelfth grade. The school is owned and operated by the board of directors, making it privately owned. In 2014 the school was renamed to Costa Rica International Academy. The school has uniforms that include navy blue shorts.
- 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 ProgrammeHunter Valley Grammar School is an independent secular co-educational early learning, primary, and secondary day school, located in Ashtonfield, a suburb of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. It is named after the Hunter Valley, in which it is located.
- CISV Costa Rica
- Country Day School Costa Rica (Nord Anglia)The Country Day School Costa Rica (CDS) is a school in San Rafael de Alajuela, Costa Rica.
- Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC) - Student Exchange
- Lincoln SchoolLincoln School is a non-profit educational institution located in Barrio Socorro, San Miguel, Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica, offering programs from preschool through high school. The school provides a holistic education incorporating academics, arts, sports, and entrepreneurship programs, with an IB program available at the high school level. Lincoln School emphasizes student development across academic, emotional, and social dimensions, and includes college counseling and university admissions support services.
See all programs, filters and matches in the Meridian app.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study in Costa Rica?
International students typically need about €500–€1000 per month for living costs in Costa Rica.
Can I work after graduating in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica offers a post-study work visa of 3 months.
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