If you always wanted to study abroad and get an internationally recognised degree without incurring a huge financial liability, Mexico will be an ideal country for you. As per QS Top Universities, Mexico is in the top 5 most affordable destinations for international students. Thanks to the low cost of living, quality education and comfortable standard of living, Mexico is a top pick for students across the globe. For those with job security concerns, the top universities in Mexico have partnerships with companies across various fields. The additional perks of experiencing Mexican food, culture and lifestyle make Mexico an ideal study-abroad pick.
Rankings Of Top 10 Universities In Mexico
As per QS World University Rankings, the following universities are the highest-ranking Mexican universities:
| Rank | University Name |
| #1 | Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) |
| #2 | Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) |
| #3 | Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) |
| #4 | Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) |
| #5 | Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA) |
| #6 | Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) |
| #7 | Universidad de Guadalajara (UG) |
| #8 | Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) |
| #9 | Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UAP) |
| #10 | Universidad Anáhuac |
Top Universities In Mexico For Overseas Students
#1 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average Annual Tuition Fees: USD 1,000 to USD 2,500
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) is undeniably the first one in line for top universities in Mexico as it is the only university with Nobel Prize Laureates among its alumni. The main campus of UNAM is a world heritage site known for its architecture. At this university, fun and learning go hand in hand with 47 sports disciplines and recreational activities availed to students. The university campus is located near the Olympic University Stadium and has 68 training areas. According to QS Top Universities, UNAM scores 96% for Academic Reputation and 61.5% for employment outcomes.
Top 5 programmes offered:
- Bachelors of Arts
- Bachelors in International
- Bachelors in Biology
- Masters in Engineering
- Masters in Business
#2 Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM)
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average Annual Tuition Fees: USD 900 to USD 3,800
Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) is a university known for its academic excellence. What makes it one of the top universities in Mexico is its dedication towards giving students an all-rounded learning experience. It ranks 155 in the world as per QS World University Rankings 2021, making it an honourable institute to have your name associated with. As per QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020, ITESM ranks 40 in Employer Reputation around the world. With a unique education model named Tec21, ITESM aims to not only give you the benefit of a degree or a diploma but also a range of competencies learned during ‘Tec weeks’ and ‘Week 18’.
Top 5 programmes offered:
- Bachelor and Masters in Engineering
- Bachelor and Masters IT
- Bachelor and Masters Chemistry
- Bachelors in Linguistics
- Bachelor, Master and Doctoral in Business
#3 Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average Annual Tuition Fees: USD 1,000
Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) has to be in the mentions of top universities in Mexico owing to its global reputation for its research environment. Formerly founded in 1936 to provide higher education to the most socially deprived classes, this university now holds the prestigious status of the top 20 universities in Latin America as per THE University Rankings. The former President of Mexico, Ernesto Zedillo is one of the notable alumni of this university. It is one of the world’s sole vocational schools. IPN also operates Canal Once, the oldest public broadcast service in Latin America. Sports enthusiasts of this university also have the privilege of playing on any of the 26 varsity teams.
Top 5 programmes offered:
- Masters in Business
- Masters in Nursing
- Bachelors in Engineering
- Doctoral Maths
- Masters in Maths
#4 Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM)
Acceptance Rate: 19.9%
Average Annual Tuition Fees: USD 1,000
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) holds a prestigious position among the top universities in Mexico in the areas of teaching and research. With over 3088 academics holding a lecture-researcher profile and 38% of them registered in the National Researcher’s System, anyone learning under the guidance of the faculty of this university has the advantage of getting the best mentorship. UAM not only strives to contribute nationally but also internationally through its ground-breaking research. If you have a calling for research and want to leave a mark in your field of studies, UAM is the place to be.
Top 5 programmes offered:
- Bachelor of Engineering & Technology
- Masters of Arts
- PhD in Humanities& Social Sciences
- Bachelors of Geography
- Masters of Mathematics & Informatics
#5 Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA)
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average Tuition Fees: USD 13,000 to USD 15,000
Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA) is among the top universities in Mexico due to its faculty, alumni and courses dedicated to real-world learning. UIA was established more than 70 years ago and is one of the nation’s oldest Jesuit universities. Located in Santa Fe, Mexico City’s primary business district, UIA will cater to your dreams of learning in an environment where you are free to dabble with real-world business problems and apply your learnings along the way. With world-class state-of-art facilities, every student gets an unforgettable study-abroad experience at the campuses of this university. The multicultural environment at this university also gives students much-needed international exposure to hone their interpersonal skills and become better employees in the process.
Top 5 programmes offered:
- Bachelors in Design
- Masters in Business
- Doctoral Pharmacy Medicine
- Masters in Arts
- Bachelors in Politics
#6 Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM)
Acceptance Rate: 52%
Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) forms a part of the top universities in Mexico and Latin America because of its high reputation among employers in the country. The staff at ITAM is largely formed of PhD holders and is therefore even considered the think tank of Mexico City. The research excellence, well-designed programs, and highly qualified faculty members at this institution make a degree from this university of high value to many employers in the public and private sectors. The alumni of this university have had a reputation for making major contributions to the development of Mexico by holding leadership positions like Central Bank Chairman, Members of Congress, CEOs, CFOs, and entrepreneurs. Triple Crown accreditations from internationally recognised bodies like EQUIS, AMBA, and AACSB also make being a student at this university a matter of pride.
Top 5 programmes offered:
- Bachelors in Design
- Masters in Humanities
- Masters in Business
- Bachelors in IT
- Masters in Natural Sciences
#7 Universidad de Guadalajara (UG)
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Average Tuition Fees: $500 – $1,750
What makes Universidad de Guadalajara (UG) one of the top universities in Mexico is its emphasis on cutting-edge technology and development in Jalisco. Thanks to this UG, the cultural heritage and artistic wealth of western Mexico remains intact over the years. UG prides itself on creating graduates that contribute towards a sustainable and innovative future. Over 1000 graduates from this university are members of the National System of Researchers. 156 of its postgraduate programs are recognised by the National Science Counsel. With 15 campuses across the country and an online university system, this university has successfully managed to create a small universe dedicated to holistic growth for its students.
Top 5 programmes offered:
- Associate’s degree in Languages
- Masters in Business
- Bachelors in Nursing
- Masters in Engineering
- Doctoral Natural Sciences
#8 Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL)
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Average Tuition Fees: $1000
Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) is one of the largest universities in Mexico. It has the largest number of courses for all streams. UANL believes that a lack of economic resources shouldn’t be a barrier to anyone with a drive for knowledge. Owing to this, they offer scholarships to 200,000 students from various socio-economic statuses every academic year. Even in sports, UANL plays in the big leagues. They have consistently won the National University Championship for fourteen years. The collection of literature and resources available on library campuses at this university are also accessible to all curious minds.
Top 5 programmes offered:
- Associates degree in Design
- Bachelors in Business
- Masters in Languages
- Doctoral Engineering
- Masters in Maths
#9 Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UAP)
Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average Tuition Fees: $3210 – $4300
Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UAP) is one of the top universities in Mexico owing to its QS five-star status. At UAP you’re in good hands thanks to its high score in the PhD indicator staff. As per data, 90% of graduates of this university get employed within 6 months of graduation. Located in the UNESCO world heritage city of Cholula, this university is based in a city with a rich history of art, culture, traditions and modernity. 43% of faculty in this university also work with the National Research System of Mexico, making them highly-revered in their respective fields. Additional accreditations from AACSB, ABET, SACSCOC and IFT also add an edge to this university.
Top 5 programmes offered:
- Bachelors in Design
- Bachelors in Arts
- Bachelors in Pharmacy
- Bachelors in Engineering
- Bachelor in Natural Sciences
#10 Universidad Anáhuac (UA)
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average Tuition Fees: $11250 – $18,750
Universidad Anáhuac ranks third in Mexico for faculty-to-student ratio and is the sixth highly reputed university as per employers. The UA network of universities is known for offering an umbrella of courses and state-of-art facilities. Be it a studio for photography or a laboratory for an experiment, students get it all at UA. 23% of CEOs listed on the BMV (Mexico Stock Exchange) are alumni of this university. For all those looking to make contributions in their field, UA provides the perfect resources for ground-breaking research. The internationally recognised faculty also gives impetus to the growth of many future leaders in this institution.
Top 5 programmes offered:
- Bachelors in Humanities
- Bachelors in Social
- Bachelors in Pharmacy
- Bachelors in IT
- Bachelors in Maths
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the average tuition fee in Mexico for international students?
Top universities in Mexico, including public universities, may charge international students from $400 to $850 per academic year. However, in private universities in Mexico, the tuition cost can go up to $5000 per academic year.
2. Can I work in the USA if I study in Mexico?
F-1 student visa holders in the USA from Mexico can work or intern while studying if they meet certain qualifications. Working in the United States is a great way to gain real-world experience. Beware of complex regulations and rules though, as it can be difficult to navigate for a nonimmigrant visa.
3. What is the general cost of living expenses like for a student in Mexico?
The basic cost of living in Mexico is lower than that of the United States, Canada, and Europe. Your expenses on groceries and eating out will be relatively less because of this. A student in Mexico spends about $14,350 per month on general expenses.
4. When do schools usually run in Mexico?
Schools in Mexico typically run from late August to early July. However, the hours may differ as per the public or private school. School approximately starts at 7:30 or 8 am and goes around 13:30 or 14:30. Afternoon and evening lecture options may be available too, depending on the university.
We hope that reading our blog on Top 10 Universities in Mexico was of help to you in your study abroad research. Check out more such blogs from us while you’re at it:
1 thought on “Top PGDM Courses In Canada: Universities, Specialisations & Eligibility”
I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further