Education

Education in Costa Rica is free and obligatory and has been since 1869 when Costa Rica became one of the first nations in the world to institute such progressive measures. Today, Costa Rica has the most literate population in Central America with 93% literacy in those 10 years and older and 96% literacy in those 15 years and older.

Most communities have both their own elementary and high schools. Private high schools are also prevalent. Many feature bilingual education or a U.S. curriculum where all classes except Spanish are taught in English. It is not uncommon for students to go on to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or earn their International Baccalaureate Diploma. Passing the Bachillerato Test is required to receive a high school diploma and apply for admission to one of Costa Rica's numerous universities.

University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica's first university, opened its doors in 1940. It was the only university in the country until 1971 when Technological Institute of Costa Rica was founded. The National University of Heredia was established two years later followed by the Distance Education University in 1977.   These government-owned and managed colleges and universities offer extensive scholarship and financial aid programs, along with subsidized tuition.

Autonomous University of Central America, the first private university in Costa Rica, was created in 1979. The intense competition for admission to Costa Rica's public universities has since spawned the creation of numerous private universities. While less prestigious, private universities are becoming increasingly popular, with over 25 institutions of higher learning available throughout the country. Adult education programs abound as well, including technical training at the INA and private technical institutes that thrive on short programs for spa and beauty therapists, secretarial degrees and other popular careers.

Costa Rica is also home to the renowned University for Peace founded by the United Nations in 1980. It is the only UN institution authorized to grant Master's and Doctoral degrees.

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