List of 48 best universities in Nicaragua

Updated: July 18, 2023

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 15.8K citations received by 2.7K academic publications made by 48 universities from Nicaragua, the popularity of 15 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Leon

#320 in Latin America

#4610 in the World

Founded: 1812

2. National Agrarian University

#400 in Latin America

#6171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Founded: 1929

3. Central American University

#531 in Latin America

#8064 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Enrollment: 8,850
Founded: 1960

4. National University of Engineering, Nicaragua

#578 in Latin America

#8451 in the World

Enrollment: 13,399
Founded: 1983

5. National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Managua

#628 in Latin America

#8834 in the World

Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1812

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

#646 in Latin America

#8981 in the World

Founded: 1991

7. Nicaraguan Technological University

#682 in Latin America

#9240 in the World

Founded: 1994

8. Polytechnic University of Nicaragua

#904 in Latin America

#10587 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Founded: 1967

9. American University, Nicaragua

#932 in Latin America

#10750 in the World

Founded: 1992

10. Central University of Nicaragua

#936 in Latin America

#10759 in the World

Enrollment: 5,000
Founded: 1997

11. Bluefields Indian and Caribbean University

#1065 in Latin America

#11420 in the World

Enrollment: 6,479
Founded: 1991

12. Keiser University - Latin American Campus

#1097 in Latin America

#11656 in the World

Founded: 2013

13. Redemptoris Mater Catholic University

#1119 in Latin America

#11736 in the World

Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1992

14. Catholic University of Dry Tropic Farming and Livestock

#1136 in Latin America

#11799 in the World

Founded: 1968

15. Valle University

#1160 in Latin America

#11915 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Enrollment: 1,400
Founded: 1997

16. University of Commercial Science

#1185 in Latin America

#12020 in the World

Founded: 1964

17. Nicaraguan Protestant University Martin Luther King

#1260 in Latin America

#12376 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 1994

18. American College University

#1272 in Latin America

#12420 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%

19. Anunciata University

#1273 in Latin America

#12421 in the World

Founded: 1997

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

#1316 in Latin America

#12600 in the World

Enrollment: 2,240
Founded: 1996

21. La Salle Technological University

#1319 in Latin America

#12611 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Founded: 2009

22. University of Managua

#1336 in Latin America

#12650 in the World

Founded: 1998

23. Antonio de Valdivieso International University

#1360 in Latin America

#12741 in the World

Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 1951

24. Christian Autonomous University of Nicaragua

#1387 in Latin America

#12821 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 2001

25. Thomas More University - Managua

#1408 in Latin America

#12887 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Founded: 1997

26. Martin Lutero University

#1424 in Latin America

#12948 in the World

Founded: 1998

27. Hispano-American University, Nicaragua

#1471 in Latin America

#13098 in the World

Founded: 1999

28. Paulo Freire University

#1534 in Latin America

#13287 in the World

Founded: 1998

29. University of Medical Sciences, Nicaragua

#1544 in Latin America

#13310 in the World

30. Central American University of Business Studies

#1548 in Latin America

#13331 in the World

Founded: 1991

31. Adventist University of Nicaragua

#1572 in Latin America

#13406 in the World

Enrollment: 8,682

32. International University for Sustainable Development

#1583 in Latin America

#13436 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 2005

33. University of Technology and Commerce

#1636 in Latin America

#13577 in the World

34. Nicaraguan University of Science and Technology

#1644 in Latin America

#13610 in the World

Founded: 2003

35. John Paul II University, Nicaragua

#1664 in Latin America

#13675 in the World

Enrollment: 2,500

36. University of Las Americas, Nicaragua

#1675 in Latin America

#13709 in the World

Founded: 1995

37. Popular University of Nicaragua

#1679 in Latin America

#13715 in the World

Founded: 1991

38. Technical University of Commerce

#1694 in Latin America

#13766 in the World

Founded: 2007

39. University of Administration, Commerce and Customs

#1696 in Latin America

#13772 in the World

Founded: 1991

40. University of Northern Nicaragua

#1705 in Latin America

#13833 in the World

Founded: 1996

41. Jean-Jacques Rousseau University

#1708 in Latin America

#13842 in the World

42. Metropolitan University, Nicaragua

#1710 in Latin America

#13852 in the World

Founded: 2002

43. Nicaraguan University of Humanistic Studies

#1711 in Latin America

#13854 in the World

Founded: 2008

44. International University of Integration of Latin America

#1723 in Latin America

#13937 in the World

Founded: 1995

45. American University in Nicaragua

#1724 in Latin America

#13942 in the World

Founded: 2008

46. Santo Tomas de Oriente y Medio Dia University

#1748 in Latin America

#14084 in the World

47. Ruben Dario University

#1755 in Latin America

#14120 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 $363 + $39-279 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).