List of 48 best universities in Nicaragua

Updated: March 02, 2025

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 27.5K citations received by 3.71K academic publications made by 48 universities from Nicaragua, the popularity of 18 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Leon

#332 in Latin America

#4829 in the World

Founded: 1812

2. National Agrarian University

#406 in Latin America

#6247 in the World

Founded: 1929

3. Central American University

#531 in Latin America

#8161 in the World

Enrollment: 8,850
Founded: 1960

4. National University of Engineering, Nicaragua

#591 in Latin America

#8613 in the World

Enrollment: 13,399
Founded: 1983

5. National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Managua

#635 in Latin America

#8950 in the World

Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1812

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

#645 in Latin America

#9056 in the World

Founded: 1991

7. Nicaraguan Technological University

#689 in Latin America

#9330 in the World

Founded: 1994

8. Central University of Nicaragua

#858 in Latin America

#10325 in the World

Enrollment: 5,000
Founded: 1997

9. Bluefields Indian and Caribbean University

#859 in Latin America

#10338 in the World

Enrollment: 6,479
Founded: 1991

10. Polytechnic University of Nicaragua

#909 in Latin America

#10702 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1967

11. American University, Nicaragua

#943 in Latin America

#10871 in the World

Founded: 1992

12. Keiser University - Latin American Campus

#1015 in Latin America

#11283 in the World

Founded: 2013

13. Redemptoris Mater Catholic University

#1134 in Latin America

#11854 in the World

Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1992

14. Valle University

#1184 in Latin America

#12024 in the World

Enrollment: 1,400
Founded: 1997

15. Anunciata University

#1186 in Latin America

#12042 in the World

Founded: 1997

16. Catholic University of Dry Tropic Farming and Livestock

#1187 in Latin America

#12047 in the World

Founded: 1968

17. University of Commercial Science

#1230 in Latin America

#12189 in the World

Founded: 1964

18. American College University

#1296 in Latin America

#12497 in the World

19. La Salle Technological University

#1300 in Latin America

#12535 in the World

Founded: 2009

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

#1322 in Latin America

#12603 in the World

Enrollment: 2,240
Founded: 1996

21. Nicaraguan Protestant University Martin Luther King

#1328 in Latin America

#12621 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 1994

22. University of Managua

#1339 in Latin America

#12640 in the World

Founded: 1998

23. Antonio de Valdivieso International University

#1364 in Latin America

#12731 in the World

Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 1951

24. Christian Autonomous University of Nicaragua

#1368 in Latin America

#12740 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 2001

25. International University of Integration of Latin America

#1371 in Latin America

#12752 in the World

Founded: 1995

26. Thomas More University - Managua

#1406 in Latin America

#12861 in the World

Founded: 1997

27. Hispano-American University, Nicaragua

#1476 in Latin America

#13131 in the World

Founded: 1999

28. Martin Lutero University

#1478 in Latin America

#13142 in the World

Founded: 1998

29. Paulo Freire University

#1539 in Latin America

#13336 in the World

Founded: 1998

30. University of Administration, Commerce and Customs

#1552 in Latin America

#13361 in the World

Founded: 1991

31. Central American University of Business Studies

#1559 in Latin America

#13389 in the World

Founded: 1991

32. International University for Sustainable Development

#1616 in Latin America

#13571 in the World

Founded: 2005

33. University of Medical Sciences, Nicaragua

#1636 in Latin America

#13627 in the World

34. University of Technology and Commerce

#1657 in Latin America

#13681 in the World

35. Nicaraguan University of Science and Technology

#1672 in Latin America

#13725 in the World

Founded: 2003

36. University of Las Americas, Nicaragua

#1687 in Latin America

#13770 in the World

Founded: 1995

37. Popular University of Nicaragua

#1689 in Latin America

#13775 in the World

Founded: 1991

38. Adventist University of Nicaragua

#1695 in Latin America

#13785 in the World

Enrollment: 8,682

39. Technical University of Commerce

#1705 in Latin America

#13819 in the World

Founded: 2007

40. John Paul II University, Nicaragua

#1707 in Latin America

#13829 in the World

Enrollment: 2,500

41. University of Northern Nicaragua

#1712 in Latin America

#13881 in the World

Founded: 1996

42. Jean-Jacques Rousseau University

#1713 in Latin America

#13885 in the World

43. Metropolitan University, Nicaragua

#1714 in Latin America

#13886 in the World

Founded: 2002

44. Nicaraguan University of Humanistic Studies

#1715 in Latin America

#13887 in the World

Founded: 2008

45. American University in Nicaragua

#1728 in Latin America

#13952 in the World

Founded: 2008

46. Santo Tomas de Oriente y Medio Dia University

#1748 in Latin America

#14081 in the World

47. Ruben Dario University

#1755 in Latin America

#14122 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 $403 + $41-295 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).