Study Abroad in Colombia: Cost Of Living, Tuition & Top Universities

Do you wish to study in Colombia? We compiled a list of top universities in Colombia with their application, admission requirements, Colombia tuition, Cost of living in Colombia, and Colombia Students Visa.

Colombia is a South American country located at the continent’s northern tip. It is linked to Central America by Panama, while to the south, it is bordered by Ecuador and Peru. Brazil takes up most of the Eastern border with Venezuela to the northeast.

This tropical country with an extensive rainforest, beautiful beaches, mountains, and vast deserts also has access to the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The country of about 50 million people has numerous vibrant cities, with Bogota, the capital, being the largest.

Reasons to Study in Colombia

1. Three years ago, it became the fastest-growing economy in the region making it one of the most favorite destinations for tourists.

2. Some of the best universities in the region are based in this country. According to the latest rankings, over 30 universities are in the top 300 universities in the continent. The National University of Colombia is tenth in the region and 269th in the world.

3. It is a great study abroad destination if you are interested in wildlife, nature, and conservation. This is due to the large expanse of forests, grasslands, and mountains. This makes the country rich in plant and animal species.

4. The cultural diversity of the country is amazing. A Cultural anthropologist would have a great time with many indigenous tribes with unique cultures and traditions.

Cost of Living in Colombia

The cost of living in Colombia depends largely on lifestyle and location. The Colombian currency is known as the Pesos. A US dollar is roughly equivalent to about 3,293.30 Colombian pesos.

Read also: The Cheapest and The Most Expensive Study Abroad Locations in the World

Compared to cities in western Europe, the cost of living here is very low. Even in comparison to major capitals in the region, Colombia stands out as one of the cheapest countries to live in.

For instance, the consumer prices include rent in Mexico City (Mexico), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina), San Jose (Costa Rica), Miami (USA), Panama City (Panama), and Lima (Peru) are 16.4%, 62.0%, 50.0%, 59.7%, 200.1%, and 27.1% higher than Bogota (capital of Colombia) respectively.

The list below shows the specific cost of some items in Colombia:

(source)

Students Cost of Living in Columbia

Study abroad students in Colombia would find it rather inexpensive. After all, the minimum wage is low, which has impacted the prices of goods and services.

That said, with a budget of around $500/month, a student can live comfortably in any Colombian city.

Applying to Study in Colombia for International Students

There is no central admission body for all universities in Columbia. Whatever University you decide to attend, getting the full guide would require contacting the University.

Colombia Admission Requirements

They all have a functional website, so you can go there for all the necessary information.

However, for your application to be accepted, all universities require the following documents:

• Proof of Spanish language proficiency
• A copy of your high school diploma if you are applying for a bachelor’s program
• Copy of bachelor’s degree for postgraduate students
• Academic transcript from your previous school
• Traveling passport

Some universities would require undergraduates students to take the ICFES exam. It is a test for Colombian students wishing to gain admission to a University.

Colombia Student Visa

For study abroad students wishing to stay for more than 3 months, a Colombian student visa (TP-3) is needed. The student visa is usually valid for one year. You can renew it yearly.

To apply for a visa in your home country, the place to go is the Colombian Embassy. There, you need to present the following documents:

• Your passport
• 2 passport photographs
• Proof of ability to fund your studies.
• An admission letter from the University

All documents submitted to the Embassy must be translated into Spanish. The cost of the visa is about $40.

Colombia Tuition Fees

The tuition fees in Columbia depend on whether you study at a private or public University.

Generally, private universities are more expensive. Some universities also base their tuition on the duration of the program and the number of courses per semester.

On Average, private Universities charge between $1,000 to $5,500 Colombian tuition per semester. Public universities, on the other hand, charge a maximum of $1,000 per semester.

List of Top Universities in Colombia

Below is a list of the top universities in Colombia. Click on Colombia university to you are interested in knowing more.

1. Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota
2. Universidad de los Andes, Bogota
3. Universidad de Antioquía, Medellin
4. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota
5. Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Bogota
6. Universidad del Valle, Cali
7. Universidad EAFIT, Medellin
8. Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellin
9. Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Bogota
10. Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla

EDITOR’S RECOMMENDATION

• Amazing Secrets in PTE Academic: Pearson Test Of English, Exam, Pattern, Dates
• Work and Study: How Can Students Still Perform Well Academically?
• Study Masters in Spain: Admission, Tuition Fee, Visa Requirement
• STUDY IN BELGIUM: Low Tuition Universities in Belgium
• 15 Study Abroad Myths That Need to Be Busted
• 5 Top Reasons Why You Should Study Abroad with Erasmus
• Study In Cuba: Top Universities, Cost Of Living, Tuition And Visa Application
• How to Study in the UK As a US Citizen
• Stanford University Rankings and its Tuition Fees with Admission Requirements

Does this article meet your immediate needs? If yes, leave us with a 5-star rating in the Review Box below. If no, leave a comment on the comment box to express your concern or ask a question and we will get back to you as soon as possible.