This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 4/23/2019

Central America

Number of Students studying abroad per UNESCO Student Mobility Statistics:
Costa Rica         2,843
El Salvador        4, 416
Guatemala       3,495
Honduras          4,593
Nicaragua          3.555
 
Percent of Population under 24 years of age per CIA World Factbook:
Costa Rica         38.37%
El Salvador        45.18%
Guatemala        54.78%
Honduras          53.25%
Nicaragua          47.32%
 
Overview
 
The United States is a leading destination for international students from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. The number of Central Americans enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions reached a total of 6,419 during the 2017/18 academic year, representing a 0.6% increase over the previous year. Among the top receiving States are: Texas, Florida, Louisiana, California, New York, Massachusetts, Georgia and Virginia.
 
Number of international students per country and academic level:
 
Place of OriginAcademic Year 2017/18UndergraduateGraduateNon-degreeOPT
Costa Rica1,14654941434149
El Salvador1,5541,17217475133
Guatemala1,20678625540136
Honduras2,1041,47735487186
Nicaragua409235992946
TOTAL6,4194,2191,296265650
Source: 2018 Open Doors Report
 
Key reasons why Central American students choose U.S. Higher Education Institutions:
  • Geographic proximity
  • High quality education system
  • Wide variety of institutions and higher education programs
  • Good and diverse living environments; possibility of living with relatives while studying
  • Availability of intensive and short English Programs to learn or improve English skills
In addition, studying abroad represents an opportunity to be more competitive and increases the possibility for better employment in national or multinational corporations. Main competitor countries hosting students from Central America are Canada, Mexico, Spain, Germany, France, Taiwan (except for El Salvador), United Kingdom, Chile, and Argentina.
 
Central Americans in general are interested in scholarships and financial aid when evaluating universities. Community College degrees represent an opportunity due to lower tuition fees and simplified application procedures.
 
Undergraduate programs are preferred, followed by graduate studies. English language programs have strong potential as there is low to moderate English proficiency in most of the region. Although, Costa Rica has a comprehensive program to become a bilingual country, it is ranked #36 in the 2018 EF English Proficiency Index (which evaluates the English skills of 88 countries worldwide), followed by Guatemala in position 55.
 
According to the 2018 Open Doors Report, a total of 406 students from Central America participated in Intensive English Programs in the United States, including 153 from Honduras followed by El Salvador (110), Guatemala (103), Costa Rica (56) and Nicaragua (39).

Sub-Sectors

Higher Education

Central American students are primarily attracted to the following degree programs in the U.S.:
  • Universities and Community Colleges with tuition fees lower than $20,000
  • English Language Programs (from 1 month up to 1 year) for students, teachers, and adults
  • Summer camps
  • Undergraduate, Graduate and Master Programs
  • Online programs
In 2018, El Salvador ranked #24th among the top 25 places of origin of international students attending Associate’s Institutions.
 
Among the top fields of study and majors are Social Sciences (Business & Law), Education, Engineering, and Health & Social Sciences.
 
The “100,000 Strong in the Americas” Initiative, announced by President Obama in 2011, represents an opportunity to increase the number of exchange students between Central America and the United States. All U.S. Embassies and EDUCATION USA offices in the region are committed to work with the business community to promote professional development and increase the number of students studying in the U.S. Through grants competitions, the 100K Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund provides funds for innovative partnerships between U.S. and Latin American and Caribbean institutions of higher education. 
 
On July 2017, Honduras launched the government sponsored Presidential Program for International Scholarships “Honduras 20/20,” aimed at supporting graduate studies abroad for students with academic excellence. The program gives priority to areas under the economic development program “Honduras 2020,” which seeks to generate 600,000 new jobs and sharply boost exports by expanding and adding value to key investment sectors including textiles, manufacturing, tourism, and business services.
To enter the Central America market, it is highly recommended for U.S. universities, community colleges and/or technical institutions to:

Seek partnerships or agreements with public or private universities to facilitate exchange programs for students and professors, recognition of credits and/or dual certification.
  • Travel to the market to meet face to face with school counselors, parents, and higher education institution officers.
  • Participate in local recruitment campaigns, fairs, trade missions, and outreach events in high schools, public venues, and universities.
  • Provide in depth information about programs and the application processes
  • Describe opportunities of scholarships and financial aid
  • Provide information on the process to obtain a U.S. student visa
 
It is preferred that all marketing material and program information is available in Spanish.
 
Events
 
Please reach out the U.S. Commercial Service contacts below for a list of events/activities in each location.
 

U.S. Commercial Service Contacts

Roy Fernandez
Commercial Specialist

Costa Rica
 Roy.Fernandez@trade.gov  
T. +506 2519 2263
 
Lidia Sosa, Senior
Commercial Specialist

El Salvador
Lidia.Sosa@trade.gov
T. +011 503 2501 2999 ext. 3144
 
Ana Polanco,
Senior Commercial Specialist

Guatemala
Ana.Polanco@trade.gov
T. +011 502 2326 4258
 
Rossana Lobo
Senior Commercial Specialist

Honduras
Rossana.Lobo@trade.gov
T. +504 2236-9320 Ext. 4842
 
Lilliam Baez
Economic/Commercial Specialist

Nicaragua
BaezLAU@state.gov
T. +505 2252-7100 ext. 7371
 
 
 
 
 

Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.