When deciding to go to university, many questions arise: what am I going to study? Do I want to study abroad? And if yes, in which country do I want to study? How does the education system work in that country? And what are the college costs? To which university do I want to apply? If you have decided to consider options abroad, Latin America is always an exciting and appealing option for young college students. Consequently, in order to help you have a clearer idea about the different alternatives and what they offer, in this article we will explore the educational system in Colombia, the most representative universities, and specifically, we will answer: Is College Free In Colombia?
To begin with, it is necessary to clarify that in Colombia there is not the same distinction between college and universities. Higher education in Colombia is divided between institutes and universities. The institutes offer classes in programs such as logistics, business administration, marketing, and design, among others. These programs normally offer courses focused on the chosen area of knowledge, have an average duration of 2 years, and train students to pursue careers upon graduation, but only in a technical manner. In universities, on the other hand, a bachelor’s degree program has an average duration of 4 to 5 years. Universities offer a diverse number of courses within the same program, and prepares students for a greater diversity of roles. Thus, an institute graduate could be a nurse aide, but only a university graduate could be a nurse manager.
In general, the costs of institutes programs are less expensive because the taxes at universities are higher due to the ability to deliver different academic degrees such as masters or doctoral degrees.
Public or private?
Institutes and universities are divided between public and private entities. In both groups there are examples of high international recognition, however, studying at a private college or university is usually, although there are exceptions, more expensive than studying at a public one. The prices of public universities vary depending on the socioeconomic stratum where the applicant resides, and the school where he/she graduated from high school, among others. This also applies to international students residing in Colombia. We will delve into this topic later, but for now, let’s study if the private sector offers free programs.
Private institutions
In Colombia private institutions do not offer free programs, education is paid for by semesters, not by years, which means that every six months you must pay for the program you are taking. Both colleges and universities, offer various amounts of scholarships for academically outstanding applicants, low-income students, or those who are part of a minority group.
Technical institutes
Technical institutes differ in the type of programs they offer. Some are dedicated to a certain area of knowledge, for example, art, and offer programs such as graphic design, fashion design, interior design, drawing, etc. In general, they only offer courses related to the subject of choice. On the other hand, there are other institutes where it is possible to find a wider range of programs in one place, such as programs in tourism and also in dental hygiene.
In the institutes, the prices per semester vary from 400,000 Cop to 1,500,000 Cop which is equivalent to $110 to $400. The price depends on the institution that offers it, the program offered, and the days and schedules in which it is going to be taken.
Some institutes offer diplomas or courses, mostly virtual, free of charge, where the only thing you have to pay is the certificate, which ranges between 50,000 Cop and 150,000 Cop, i.e. between $14 and $40.
Private universities
Private universities also offer some free courses and diploma courses where the student only has to pay for the certificate. However, these prices are usually higher than the ones offered by the institutes.
Public universities also, like institutes, may have one area of knowledge that determines the programs they offer or be completely varied in their academic offerings. The costs of a bachelor’s degree program per semester vary between $600 and $4000, depending on the demand for the program, the status of the institution, and the city in which it is located.
Public entities
In Colombia, you will find a wide variety of public entities that offer various amounts of programs. There are, for example, institutes that offer completely free programs, and universities that ask for a minimum fee to be able to access the courses. However, to access either of these two options, certain parameters must be met, which are usually related to the socioeconomic level of the applicant, the grades during high school, and the grades in the state exam.
Social stratification
Colombia is divided by social stratification, which is how individuals are classified according to the conditions of the house they live in and the area of the city in which it is located. Based on this division it is determined who is deserving of economic subsidies, the charge of public services, such as gas and electricity, and the value of the taxes that each resident must pay.
There are 6 different socioeconomic strata, the residents with lower economic resources are part of strata 1, 2, and 3 and are eligible for benefits from the government. Users belonging to stratum 4 are not eligible for benefits and pay the exact amount required by the utility companies. Finally, those belonging to stratum 5 and 6 must pay extra costs for public services and are not eligible for government subsidies.
Public institutes
Most of the public institutes keep the largest number of places for people belonging to strata 1, 2, and 3. These users can opt for some free options and others that require a small moderating fee for the payment of taxes. However, being admitted to a public institute can be a challenge because there is a great demand for each of the programs offered.
Public Universities
- Admission to public universities is complex because, like public institutes, they prioritize users who are part of strata 1, 2, and 3, and the admission tests can be very complex.
- The cost to pay at public universities will depend on the socioeconomic stratum in which the applicant lives. For students of strata 1 and 2, it may even be free.
- The cost per semester in public universities is usually lower than in private universities. However, this is not a rule. For example, if an international student wants to study at a public university and lives in a level 6 neighborhood, he/she could pay around $1200 per semester, which may be less or equal to what he/she would have to pay at a private university.
Conclusion
The educational system in Colombia has been designed so that those who have a more consolidated economy pay higher taxes that help support the disadvantaged. In this order of ideas, college in Colombia is not free, or at least, not for everyone.
