List of 48 best universities in Nicaragua

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Top 48 universities in Nicaragua ranked by EduRank based on research outputs, non-academic prominence, and alumni influence. The rankings are determined by analyzing 18.2K citations received by 3.2K academic publications made by 48 universities from Nicaragua, the popularity of 17 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Leon

#330 in Latin America

#4779 in the World

Founded: 1812

2. National Agrarian University

#406 in Latin America

#6215 in the World

Founded: 1929

3. Central American University

#528 in Latin America

#8128 in the World

Enrollment: 8,850
Founded: 1960

4. National University of Engineering, Nicaragua

#589 in Latin America

#8582 in the World

Enrollment: 13,399
Founded: 1983

5. National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Managua

#630 in Latin America

#8915 in the World

Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1812

6. University of the Autonomous Regions of the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast

#644 in Latin America

#9023 in the World

Founded: 1991

7. Nicaraguan Technological University

#686 in Latin America

#9297 in the World

Founded: 1994

8. Polytechnic University of Nicaragua

#907 in Latin America

#10681 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1967

9. American University, Nicaragua

#941 in Latin America

#10851 in the World

Founded: 1992

10. Central University of Nicaragua

#995 in Latin America

#11188 in the World

Enrollment: 5,000
Founded: 1997

11. Bluefields Indian and Caribbean University

#1040 in Latin America

#11387 in the World

Enrollment: 6,479
Founded: 1991

12. Keiser University - Latin American Campus

#1087 in Latin America

#11616 in the World

Founded: 2013

13. Redemptoris Mater Catholic University

#1134 in Latin America

#11840 in the World

Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1992

14. Valle University

#1184 in Latin America

#12016 in the World

Enrollment: 1,400
Founded: 1997

15. Anunciata University

#1185 in Latin America

#12032 in the World

Founded: 1997

16. Catholic University of Dry Tropic Farming and Livestock

#1186 in Latin America

#12037 in the World

Founded: 1968

17. University of Commercial Science

#1229 in Latin America

#12181 in the World

Founded: 1964

18. American College University

#1295 in Latin America

#12493 in the World

19. La Salle Technological University

#1299 in Latin America

#12531 in the World

Founded: 2009

20. Ibero-American University of Science and Technology, Nicaragua

#1320 in Latin America

#12600 in the World

Enrollment: 2,240
Founded: 1996

21. Nicaraguan Protestant University Martin Luther King

#1326 in Latin America

#12618 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 1994

22. University of Managua

#1337 in Latin America

#12637 in the World

Founded: 1998

23. Antonio de Valdivieso International University

#1364 in Latin America

#12730 in the World

Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 1951

24. Christian Autonomous University of Nicaragua

#1368 in Latin America

#12739 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 2001

25. International University of Integration of Latin America

#1371 in Latin America

#12751 in the World

Founded: 1995

26. Thomas More University - Managua

#1406 in Latin America

#12857 in the World

Founded: 1997

27. Hispano-American University, Nicaragua

#1476 in Latin America

#13127 in the World

Founded: 1999

28. Martin Lutero University

#1478 in Latin America

#13138 in the World

Founded: 1998

29. Paulo Freire University

#1539 in Latin America

#13332 in the World

Founded: 1998

30. University of Administration, Commerce and Customs

#1552 in Latin America

#13357 in the World

Founded: 1991

31. Central American University of Business Studies

#1559 in Latin America

#13384 in the World

Founded: 1991

32. International University for Sustainable Development

#1616 in Latin America

#13567 in the World

Founded: 2005

33. University of Medical Sciences, Nicaragua

#1636 in Latin America

#13623 in the World

34. University of Technology and Commerce

#1657 in Latin America

#13678 in the World

35. Nicaraguan University of Science and Technology

#1672 in Latin America

#13722 in the World

Founded: 2003

36. University of Las Americas, Nicaragua

#1687 in Latin America

#13767 in the World

Founded: 1995

37. Popular University of Nicaragua

#1689 in Latin America

#13772 in the World

Founded: 1991

38. Adventist University of Nicaragua

#1695 in Latin America

#13782 in the World

Enrollment: 8,682

39. Technical University of Commerce

#1705 in Latin America

#13816 in the World

Founded: 2007

40. John Paul II University, Nicaragua

#1707 in Latin America

#13826 in the World

Enrollment: 2,500

41. University of Northern Nicaragua

#1712 in Latin America

#13880 in the World

Founded: 1996

42. Jean-Jacques Rousseau University

#1713 in Latin America

#13884 in the World

43. Metropolitan University, Nicaragua

#1714 in Latin America

#13885 in the World

Founded: 2002

44. Nicaraguan University of Humanistic Studies

#1715 in Latin America

#13886 in the World

Founded: 2008

45. American University in Nicaragua

#1728 in Latin America

#13951 in the World

Founded: 2008

46. Santo Tomas de Oriente y Medio Dia University

#1748 in Latin America

#14080 in the World

47. Ruben Dario University

#1755 in Latin America

#14121 in the World

48. University of the West UDO

#1756 in Latin America

#14131 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1994

The best cities to study in Nicaragua based on the number of universities and their ranks are Leon, Managua, Puerto Cabeza, and Bluefields.

Average cost of living for students in Nicaragua is $395 + $43-304 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).