
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. ArquiWHAT assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

University of Costa Rica (UCR) is a public university in San José, Costa Rica, founded in 1940, with about 30,400 students.
Data from the official website · last checked 18 Oct 2026 · How we collect data · Report an error · Is this your university? Claim it to update
Logo: Universidad de Costa Rica (SVG version by Jarould), Public domain
The University of Costa Rica (Universidad de Costa Rica, UCR) is a public research university founded in 1940. It is the oldest and largest higher education institution in Costa Rica.
Its main Rodrigo Facio campus is in San Pedro de Montes de Oca, in the San José metropolitan area, with regional campuses across the country. UCR's faculties cover arts, letters, philosophy, basic sciences, social sciences, economics, law, education, engineering, agricultural and food sciences, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and microbiology. It conducts a large share of Costa Rica's scientific research, including through its Clodomiro Picado Institute for snake antivenom.
Teaching is in Spanish. Admission is through UCR's aptitude test, and fees are scaled by socioeconomic circumstances with extensive scholarships.
Thinking of applying? Send your question straight to University of Costa Rica (UCR).
Ask the UniversityCourses at University of Costa Rica (UCR) are taught in Spanish.
University of Costa Rica (UCR) was founded in 1940.
Ask University of Costa Rica (UCR) about admissions, fees, scholarships or courses. You'll get a reply by email.