List of 29 best universities in El Salvador

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Top 29 universities in El Salvador ranked by EduRank based on research outputs, non-academic prominence, and alumni influence. The rankings are determined by analyzing 18.4K citations received by 5.75K academic publications made by 29 universities from El Salvador, the popularity of 42 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. Jose Simeon Canas Central American University

#252 in Latin America

#3769 in the World

Founded: 1965

2. University of El Salvador

#264 in Latin America

#3937 in the World

Founded: 1841

3. Francisco Gavidia University

#432 in Latin America

#6692 in the World

Founded: 1969

4. Don Bosco University

#444 in Latin America

#6942 in the World

Founded: 1984

5. Captain General Gerardo Barrios University

#484 in Latin America

#7637 in the World

Founded: 1981

6. Pedagogical University of El Salvador

#575 in Latin America

#8461 in the World

Founded: 1982

7. University of Technology of El Salvador

#599 in Latin America

#8654 in the World

Founded: 1981

8. Dr. Jose Matias Delgado University

Antiguo Cuscatlan

#639 in Latin America

#8992 in the World

Founded: 1977

9. School of Economics and Business

#674 in Latin America

#9241 in the World

Enrollment: 800
Founded: 1994

10. Evangelical University of El Salvador

#766 in Latin America

#9771 in the World

Founded: 1981

11. Specialized Institute of Higher Education for Health Professionals of El Salvador

#806 in Latin America

#10025 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1997

12. Salvadoran Lutheran University

#913 in Latin America

#10728 in the World

13. Alberto Masferrer Salvadorean University

#994 in Latin America

#11192 in the World

Founded: 1979

14. University of the East, El Salvador

#1037 in Latin America

#11374 in the World

Founded: 1982

15. Catholic University of El Salvador

#1071 in Latin America

#11547 in the World

Founded: 1982

16. School of Communication Monica Herrera

#1135 in Latin America

#11859 in the World

Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 1995

17. Autonomous University of Santa Ana

#1210 in Latin America

#12139 in the World

Founded: 1982

18. Polytechnic University of El Salvador

#1223 in Latin America

#12175 in the World

Founded: 1979

19. Dr. Andres Bello University

#1237 in Latin America

#12223 in the World

Founded: 1991

20. University of Sonsonate

#1267 in Latin America

#12343 in the World

Founded: 1982

21. Albert Einstein University

#1452 in Latin America

#13038 in the World

Founded: 1973

22. Specialized Institute of Higher Education for the Diplomatic Training

Antiguo Cuscatlan

#1460 in Latin America

#13087 in the World

Founded: 2010

23. Christian University of the Assemblies of God

#1472 in Latin America

#13117 in the World

Founded: 1983

24. New University San Salvador

#1483 in Latin America

#13154 in the World

Founded: 1981

25. Panamerican University, El Salvador

#1505 in Latin America

#13230 in the World

Founded: 1990

26. Higher Institute of Economics and Business Administration

Antiguo Cuscatlan

#1532 in Latin America

#13306 in the World

Founded: 1988

27. Monsenor Oscar Arnulfo Romero University

#1595 in Latin America

#13507 in the World

Founded: 1994

28. Latin American Technical University

#1704 in Latin America

#13814 in the World

Founded: 1981

29. Specialized Institute of Higher Education "The Holy Spirit"

Antiguo Cuscatlan

#1737 in Latin America

#14003 in the World

Founded: 1953

The best cities to study in El Salvador based on the number of universities and their ranks are San Salvador, Soyapango, San Miguel, and Antiguo Cuscatlan.

Average cost of living for students in El Salvador is $518 + $81-580 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).