🇵🇦 39 universities operating · 28 accredited · 13 closed since 2012
Panama's universities — which are accredited, and which have closed.
Every university Panama's accreditation council, CONEAUPA, lists as operating, with the decree that authorises it, its accreditation status and its accredited degrees — plus enrolment and graduates at the 6 public universities from INEC.
Universities operating
39
6 public · 33 private
Institutionally accredited
28
11 not accredited
Students, 2024 (provisional)
193,773
77.9% at public universities
Graduates, 2024 (provisional)
32,792
30,954 in 2023
What accreditation means here, and what isn't here
CONEAUPA, Panama's national council for university evaluation and accreditation, accredits universities as institutions and, separately, individual degrees. CONEAUPA notes that under Executive Decree 539 of 2018 (art. 166) an institutional or degree accreditation that has expired and is awaiting renewal stays in force until the re-accreditation process is complete. Being on CONEAUPA's lists means a university holds a law, decree or resolution authorising it; accreditation is a separate evaluation, and an accredited university's degrees are not each accredited individually.
No fees, admission requirements or graduate outcomes are published per university, and private universities' enrolment is confidential, so this is a directory of status and accreditation, not a matcher.
The 6 public universities
Enrolment is INEC's count for the first semester of the 2024 academic year at the public universities; 2024 figures are provisional. INEC publishes private universities only as one combined figure — their individual data are confidential under Law 10 of 22 January 2009 — so no private university's enrolment is shown.
| University | Students, 2024 | Graduates, 2024 | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universidad de PanamáUP · founded 1935 | 88,094 | 12,150 | Re-accredited |
| Universidad Tecnológica de PanamáUTP · founded 1981 | 28,751 | 5,818 | Re-accredited |
| Universidad Autónoma de ChiriquíUNACHI · founded 1994 | 20,019 | 3,209 | Re-accredited |
| Universidad Especializada de Las AméricasUDELAS · founded 1997 | 12,141 | 2,867 | Re-accredited |
| Universidad Marítima Internacional de PanamáUMIP · founded 2005 | 1,613 | 217 | Re-accredited |
| Universidad Autónoma de los Pueblos IndígenasUAPI · founded 2022 | 268 | None yet | Under six years in operation |
| All 33 private universities, combined (INEC) | 42,887 | 8,531 |
INEC's private figure counts the private universities that reported, for the second four-month term of the academic year; it is not broken down by university.
The 33 private universities, by accreditation status
As CONEAUPA's status page groups them, read on 20 October 2026. Each list is CONEAUPA's. Where its list of private universities and its status page write the same decree with different numbers or dates (both linking the same Gaceta Oficial copy), both readings are shown — the Gazette copy is the authority.
Re-accredited (18)
Institutionally accredited by CONEAUPA in 2012–2015 and re-accredited in 2022–2023.
| University | Status | Accredited degrees |
|---|---|---|
| ADEN UniversityADEN · authorised 2006 | Re-accredited | — |
| Columbus Universityauthorised 1994 | Re-accredited | — |
| Escuela de Arquitectura y Diseño de América Latina y el CaribeISTHMUS · authorised 1998 | Re-accredited | — |
| ISAE UniversidadISAE · authorised 1994 | Re-accredited | — |
| Quality Leadership UniversityQLU · authorised 2003 | Re-accredited | — |
| Universidad Abierta y a Distancia de PanamáUNADP · authorised 1994 | Re-accredited | — |
| Universidad AmericanaUAM · authorised 2002 | Re-accredited | — |
| Universidad Católica Santa María La AntiguaUSMA · authorised 1965 | Re-accredited | 1 |
| Universidad Cristiana de PanamáUCP · authorised 2003 | Re-accredited | — |
| Universidad de SantanderUDES · authorised 2001 | Re-accredited | 1 |
| Universidad del Arte GanexaGANEXA · authorised 2004 | Re-accredited | — |
| Universidad del IstmoUDI · authorised 1987 | Re-accredited | — |
| Universidad Interamericana de PanamáUIP · authorised 1992 | Re-accredited | 3 |
| Universidad Latina de PanamáULATINA · authorised 1991 | Re-accredited | 4 |
| Universidad Latinoamericana de Comercio ExteriorULACEX · authorised 1999 | Re-accredited | 1 |
| Universidad Metropolitana de Educación, Ciencia y TecnologíaUMECIT · authorised 2004 | Re-accredited | 3 |
| Universidad Tecnológica OteimaOTEIMA · authorised 2005 | Re-accredited | — |
| Universidad Unidosauthorised 2004 | Re-accredited | — |
Accredited (5)
Institutionally accredited by CONEAUPA in 2023.
| University | Status | Accredited degrees |
|---|---|---|
| Or Universityauthorised 2013 | Accredited | — |
| Universidad del CaribeCARIBE · authorised 2009 | Accredited | — |
| Universidad EuroamericanaUEA · authorised 2015 | Accredited | — |
| Universidad Internacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaUNICYT · authorised 2014 | Accredited | — |
| Universidad Nuestra Señora del CarmenUNESCA · authorised 2011 | Accredited | — |
In the accreditation process (4)
Listed by CONEAUPA as in the accreditation process — not accredited.
| University | Status | Accredited degrees |
|---|---|---|
| Universidad Hispanoamericana de PanamáUNHIPA · authorised 2014 | In the accreditation process | — |
| Universidad HosannaUniHosanna · authorised 2018 | In the accreditation process | — |
| Universidad Iberoamericana de PanamáUNIBERO · authorised 2014 | In the accreditation process | — |
| Universidad Interamericana de Educación a Distancia de PanamáUNIEDPA · authorised 1986 | In the accreditation process | — |
Under six years in operation (6)
Listed by CONEAUPA among universities with fewer than six years of operation — not accredited.
| University | Status | Accredited degrees |
|---|---|---|
| Humboldt International UniversityHIU · authorised 2017 | Under six years in operation | — |
| Universidad Abierta de Estudios EspecializadosUNAES · authorised 2022 | Under six years in operation | — |
| Universidad de Ciencia y TecnologíaUCYT · authorised 2024 | Under six years in operation | — |
| Universidad de Los Llanos del PacíficoUDELLPA · authorised 2018 | Under six years in operation | — |
| Universidad Internacional Nueva LuzUINL · authorised 2021 | Under six years in operation | — |
| Universidad Politécnica InternacionalUPI · authorised 2017 | Under six years in operation | — |
Accredited degrees (22)
CONEAUPA has accredited 22 individual degrees at 9 universities, almost all in health sciences. The period shown is the latest CONEAUPA lists; degree names are CONEAUPA's, with our English label.
| Degree | University | Accredited for |
|---|---|---|
| PsicologíaPsychology | UNACHI | 2023–2029 |
| Tecnología MédicaMedical technology | UNACHI | 2024–2030 |
| EnfermeríaNursing | UNACHI | 2024–2029 |
| PsicologíaPsychology | UP | 2023–2029 |
| Cirugía DentalDental surgery | UP | 2023–2029 |
| FarmaciaPharmacy | UP | 2024–2030 |
| FisioterapiaPhysiotherapy | UDELAS | 2023–2029 |
| Ingeniería BiomédicaBiomedical engineering | UDELAS | 2024–2029 |
| Urgencias Médicas y DesastresMedical emergencies and disasters | UDELAS | 2024–2028 |
| PsicologíaPsychology | USMA | 2023–2029 |
| RadiologíaRadiology | UDES | 2024–2030 |
| Cirugía DentalDental surgery | UIP | 2024–2029 |
| PsicologíaPsychology | UIP | 2024–2030 |
| EnfermeríaNursing | UIP | 2024–2030 |
| PsicologíaPsychology | ULATINA | 2023–2029 |
| OdontologíaDentistry | ULATINA | 2023–2029 |
| Ingeniería BiomédicaBiomedical engineering | ULATINA | 2024–2030 |
| Tecnología MédicaMedical technology | ULATINA | 2024–2029 |
| PsicologíaPsychology | ULACEX | 2024–2030 |
| PsicologíaPsychology | UMECIT | 2023–2029 |
| FisioterapiaPhysiotherapy | UMECIT | 2024–2030 |
| Seguridad y Salud OcupacionalOccupational health and safety | UMECIT | 2024–2030 |
Authorised but without operations (4)
Authorised by decree, but listed by CONEAUPA as without operations.
- La Salle College International Panamá (LCI)Decreto Ejecutivo N°1299 del 23 de diciembre de 2016
- Universidad Internacional de América Latina (UIAL)Decreto Ejecutivo N°8 del 22 de enero 2009 (Publicado en G.O. del 6 de agosto de 2018)
- Universidad Panamericana (UPAM)Decreto Ejecutivo N° 174 del 21 de junio de 2001 · accreditation denied 2013, 2021, 2024
- Universidad Bancaria Internacional (IBI)Decreto Ejecutivo N° 952 del 11 de noviembre de 2016 · Decreto Ejecutivo N° 154 del 2 de marzo de 2021 · voluntary closure, described by CONEAUPA as temporary; also on its list of closed universities
Closed universities (13)
Universities whose authorisation was ended by decree or resolution, as CONEAUPA lists them, newest first. The reason is CONEAUPA's, in our translation.
| Institution | Reason | Closed by |
|---|---|---|
| International School of Medical Sciences (ISMS)2020 | Never operated after its creation | Decreto Ejecutivo N° 466 del 14 de abril de 2020 |
| Universidad de San Martín (SAN MARTÍN)2020 | Not operating | Decreto Ejecutivo N° 517 del 19 de mayo de 2020 |
| Universidad de Cartago (UC)2017 | Definitively cancelled | Decreto Ejecutivo N° 575 del 16 de agosto de 2017 |
| Universidad de Técnicas de la Comunicación (UTC)2017 | Provisional authorisation expired | Decreto Ejecutivo N° 570 del 16 de agosto de 2017 |
| Universidad Rafael Núñez2015 | Authorisation to operate cancelled | Decreto Ejecutivo N° 448 del 8 de junio de 2015 |
| Oxford International University2013 | Not operating for more than two years | Decreto Ejecutivo N° 104 del 4 de marzo de 2013 |
| Universidad Internacional de Comercio y Educación (UICE)2013 | Non-compliance with article 148 of Executive Decree 511 | Resolución 69 del 21 de febrero de 2013 |
| Delphi University2012 | Not operating for more than two years | Decreto Ejecutivo N° 292 del 1 de mayo de 2012 |
| Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey2012 | Voluntary closureCONEAUPA's Ciudad del Saber page separately lists the Sistema Tecnológico de Monterrey. | Resolución N° 152 de 22 de marzo de 2012 |
| International University2012 | Non-compliance with Law 30, Executive Decree 511 and other regulations | Decreto Ejecutivo N° 1205 del 4 de diciembre de 2012 |
| Palladium University2012 | Not operating for more than two years | Decreto Ejecutivo N° 346 del 15 de mayo de 2012 |
| Universidad de La Paz2012 | Non-compliance with Law 30, Executive Decree 511 and other regulations | Decreto Ejecutivo N° 280 del 20 de abril de 2012 |
| Universidad Metropolitana de Panamá2012 | Voluntary closure | Decreto Ejecutivo N° 662 del 14 de agosto de 2012 |
Universities in creation
Named on CONEAUPA's list of universities in creation, with no authorising document listed — they are not authorised universities yet.
- Aleph University
- Galicia Open University (GOUNI)
- Universidad Internacional del Pacífico (UIDP)
- Universidad Corporación Internacional de Estudios (UNICIES)
- Universidad Publicies Educa
At the City of Knowledge (Ciudad del Saber)
Institutions CONEAUPA lists at Ciudad del Saber, which operate under Decree-Law 6 of 10 February 1998 rather than as Panamanian private universities. Several carry the names of foreign universities; the names are as CONEAUPA lists them.
- Florida State University
- Sistema Tecnológico de Monterrey
- Universidad para la Cooperación Internacional
- Universidad of South Florida
- Fundación de Estudios Avanzados de Gerencia (IESA)
- Hotel Escuela Internacional de Panamá
- INCAE Business School
- Instituto Internacional de Derecho y Empresa – INIDEM
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico (UIPR) – Inter American University of Puerto Rico (IAUPR)
- Academia Latinoamericana de Aviación Superior / Florida Institute of Technology
- Human International Development Foundation (HUMANAF) representante de Universitat de Barcelona
- Universidad EAFIT
Studying in Panama?
We'll email you when INEC publishes the next enrolment figures or CONEAUPA's lists change.
By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.
Sources: Consejo Nacional de Evaluación y Acreditación Universitaria de Panamá (CONEAUPA), coneaupa.edu.pa — lists of official, private, closed, non-accredited and in-creation universities, accreditation status, and accredited and re-accredited degrees; Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censo (INEC), Contraloría General de la República de Panamá, “Matrícula y graduados de educación universitaria en la República: años 2023-24” (published 25 November 2025; 2024 figures provisional). Facts re-stated by CollegeMatcher under Ley 64 de 2012, art. 13, which does not protect official administrative texts or simple facts and data; neither body's text or tables are reproduced. Names are CONEAUPA's; English labels, groupings, shares and sums are CollegeMatcher's. CONEAUPA's pages read 20 October 2026.