Costa Rica - Education in the United StatesCosta Rica - U.S. Education
Overview
The United States is a leading destination for Guatemalan, Salvadoran, Honduran, Nicaraguan and Costa Rican students. The total number of Central Americans studying in the United States was 6,379 during the 2016/17 academic year, about the same as the previous year. Some of the States where they prefer to study are: Texas, Florida, New York, Louisiana, Massachusetts, California, Georgia and Virginia.
Source: 2017 Open Doors Report
Key reasons why Central American students choose U.S. Higher Education Institutions:
Main competitor countries are Canada, Mexico, Spain, Germany, France, Taiwan, 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.
Undergraduate studies are preferred, followed by graduate and OPT. English language programs have high potential as there is very low English proficiency in most of the region. Although, Costa Rica has a comprehensive program to become a bilingual country, it is ranked #35 in the 2017 EF English Proficiency Index, followed by Guatemala in position 54, and El Salvador in 69. EF English Proficiency Index evaluates the English skills of 80 countries worldwide.
According to the 2017 Open Doors Report, in 2016 the number of Central American students that participated in Intensive English Programs in the United States was 406, of which 153 were from Honduras, followed by El Salvador 110, Guatemala 103, Costa Rica 56 and Nicaragua 39.
Leading Sub-Sectors
Central American students are primarily attracted to these degree programs in the U.S.:
Opportunities
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:
Events
Education Fair for Community Colleges
San José, Costa Rica
Spin-off site: Honduras
April 16-21, 2018
More information at: Stephanie.Bethel@trade.gov
Contacts
Roy Fernandez, Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – Costa Rica
Email: Roy.Fernandez@trade.gov
Tel: 506 2519-2271
Lidia Sosa, Senior Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – El Salvador
Email: Lidia.Sosa@trade.gov
Tel: 011 503 2501 2999 ext. 3144
Ana Polanco, Senior Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – Guatemala
Email: Ana.Polanco@trade.gov
Tel: 011-502-2326-4258
Rossana Lobo, Senior Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – Honduras
Email: Rossana.Lobo@trade.gov
Tel: (504) 2236-9320 Ext. 4842
Lilliam Baez, Economic/Commercial Specialist
Economic/Commercial Section – Nicaragua
Email: BaezLAU@state.gov
Tel: (505) 2252-7100 ext. 7371
Education USA Contacts
EducationUSA – Costa Rica
Marcia Herra , Advisor
Email: marcia.herra@centrocultural.cr
EducationUSA – El Salvador
Marta Carranza, Advisor
Email: stadvisor@hotmail.com
EducationUSA – Guatemala
Marcial Diaz, Senior Advisor
Email: mjdiaz@iga.edu
EducationUSA – Honduras
Melissa Zelaya, Advisor (Tegucigalpa Chapter): educationusaihci@yahoo.com
Alejandra Gonzales, Advisor (San Pedro Sula Chapter)
EducationUSA – Nicaragua
Jackson Cruz, Advisor
Email: Educationusa.nicaragua@gmail.com Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service 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 U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
The United States is a leading destination for Guatemalan, Salvadoran, Honduran, Nicaraguan and Costa Rican students. The total number of Central Americans studying in the United States was 6,379 during the 2016/17 academic year, about the same as the previous year. Some of the States where they prefer to study are: Texas, Florida, New York, Louisiana, Massachusetts, California, Georgia and Virginia.
| Place of Origin | Academic Year 2016/2017 | Undergraduate | Graduate | Non-Degree | OPT |
| Costa Rica | 1,148 | 554 | 421 | 40 | 133 |
| El Salvador | 1,570 | 1,216 | 191 | 65 | 98 |
| Guatemala | 1,217 | 786 | 255 | 40 | 136 |
| Honduras | 2,046 | 1,452 | 332 | 98 | 164 |
| Nicaragua | 398 | ||||
| Total | 6,379 |
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
- Possibility of living with relatives while studying
- Availability of intensive and short English Programs to learn or improve English skills
Main competitor countries are Canada, Mexico, Spain, Germany, France, Taiwan, 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.
Undergraduate studies are preferred, followed by graduate and OPT. English language programs have high potential as there is very low English proficiency in most of the region. Although, Costa Rica has a comprehensive program to become a bilingual country, it is ranked #35 in the 2017 EF English Proficiency Index, followed by Guatemala in position 54, and El Salvador in 69. EF English Proficiency Index evaluates the English skills of 80 countries worldwide.
According to the 2017 Open Doors Report, in 2016 the number of Central American students that participated in Intensive English Programs in the United States was 406, of which 153 were from Honduras, followed by El Salvador 110, Guatemala 103, Costa Rica 56 and Nicaragua 39.
Leading Sub-Sectors
Central American students are primarily attracted to these degree programs in the U.S.:
- 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
Opportunities
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
- Work with local agents/representatives
Events
Education Fair for Community Colleges
San José, Costa Rica
Spin-off site: Honduras
April 16-21, 2018
More information at: Stephanie.Bethel@trade.gov
Contacts
Roy Fernandez, Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – Costa Rica
Email: Roy.Fernandez@trade.gov
Tel: 506 2519-2271
Lidia Sosa, Senior Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – El Salvador
Email: Lidia.Sosa@trade.gov
Tel: 011 503 2501 2999 ext. 3144
Ana Polanco, Senior Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – Guatemala
Email: Ana.Polanco@trade.gov
Tel: 011-502-2326-4258
Rossana Lobo, Senior Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – Honduras
Email: Rossana.Lobo@trade.gov
Tel: (504) 2236-9320 Ext. 4842
Lilliam Baez, Economic/Commercial Specialist
Economic/Commercial Section – Nicaragua
Email: BaezLAU@state.gov
Tel: (505) 2252-7100 ext. 7371
Education USA Contacts
EducationUSA – Costa Rica
Marcia Herra , Advisor
Email: marcia.herra@centrocultural.cr
EducationUSA – El Salvador
Marta Carranza, Advisor
Email: stadvisor@hotmail.com
EducationUSA – Guatemala
Marcial Diaz, Senior Advisor
Email: mjdiaz@iga.edu
EducationUSA – Honduras
Melissa Zelaya, Advisor (Tegucigalpa Chapter): educationusaihci@yahoo.com
Alejandra Gonzales, Advisor (San Pedro Sula Chapter)
EducationUSA – Nicaragua
Jackson Cruz, Advisor
Email: Educationusa.nicaragua@gmail.com Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service 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 U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.