Higher education institutions that saw an increase in their number of students in 2024, compared to 2023

Publication date: August 6, 2025

Of the 272 higher education institutions that reported students in 2024, only 30 grew by more than a thousand compared to 2023, and of those, 20 are public.

August 5/25 Of the 272 higher education institutions that reported students in 2024, only 30 grew by more than a thousand compared to 2023, and of those, and of those first 30, 20 are public, thanks to the free tuition programs of the national government.

Following these 30, there are 116 that increased their enrollment by less than a thousand students, and 122 that decreased in 2024-2 the number of students enrolled in the sum of all their programs (undergraduate and postgraduate) with respect to 2023-2.

Significant contributions have been made to the increased coverage of official higher education institutions (as a result of the free tuition programs and expansion of campuses, promoted by the national government), special regime higher education institutions (of the Armed Forces, also due to enrollment support programs) and higher education institutions focused on virtual programs.

On the contrary, it is striking that many of the so-called "traditional" private universities (of medium and high cost) have slowed their enrollment growth.

Below are two tables: The first shows the growth in the number of students and the second shows the percentage increase compared to the previous year.

The 146 higher education institutions that saw an increase in students in 2024

Rank 2024	Institution	Variation from 2023 to 2024
1	National Open and Distance University UNAD	30.655
2	National Learning Service SENA	15.321
3	National Unified Corporation of Higher Education - CUN	7.941
4	Incca University of Colombia	5.292
5	University Institution of Barranquilla – IUB	5.239
6	Technological Institute of Antioquia	5.176
7	Police Education Directorate (formerly National Directorate of Schools)	4.908
8	Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia – UPTC	3.971
9	Ibero-American University Corporation	3.507
10	University Corporation of Asturias	3.050
11	Andean Area University Foundation	3.042
12	Digital University Institution of Antioquia - IU. DIGITAL	2.993
13	Santander Technological Units	2.846
14	University of Magdalena	2.500
15	University of Antioquia	2.334
16	Antonio José Camacho University Institution	2.133
17	Santiago de Cali University	2.103
18	Santo Tomás University	1.969
19	Metropolitan Technological Institute ITM	1.826
20	University of Pamplona	1.705
21	University of La Guajira	1.535
22	Industrial University of Santander	1.514
23	University of Tolima	1.512
24	International University Foundation of La Rioja - UNIR	1.410
25	Pascual Bravo University Institution	1.320
26	University of Cartagena	1.312
27	Nueva Granada Military University	1.220
28	Roldanillo Institute of Professional Technical Education	1.102
29	Grancolombiano Polytechnic	1.060
30	Popular University of Cesar	1.036
31	Technological University of Chocó	969
32	Central Unit of the Cauca Valley	904
33	University of Caldas	901
34	Cooperative University of Colombia	896
35	National Institute of Technical and Professional Training – Humberto Velásquez García	869
36	Higher School of Public Administration – ESAP	818
37	Compensar University Foundation	750
38	Technological University of Pereira	724
39	University of Manizales	711
40	Technical Unit for Professional Development – UTEDÉ	708
41	Manuela Beltrán University	700
42	University of the Valley	650
43	University Institution of Envigado	634
44	International University of the American Tropics	586
45	National University of Colombia	585
46	Los Libertadores University Foundation	569
47	National Pedagogical University	559
48	Jorge Tadeo Lozano University Foundation of Bogotá	553
49	Colegio Mayor de Antioquia	536
50	El Bosque University	507
51	University Institute of La Paz	507
52	University of Nariño	495
53	ICESI University	492
54	General Rafael Reyes Prieto War College	470
55	Higher Institute of Rural Education – ISER	455
56	Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca University	445
57	University of Los Llanos	437
58	Colombo-German University Foundation	419
59	University of Quindío	418
60	University of San Buenaventura	415
61	Cenda University Corporation	403
62	Comfenalco Technological University Foundation – Cartagena	384
63	University Corporation of Catalonia	381
64	Technological School Central Technical Institute	376
65	Reformed University Corporation – CUR	376
66	Colombian Industrial Technology Corporation – Teinco	360
67	La Salle University	352
68	EAN University	345
69	National School of Sport	342
70	Autonomous University of Bucaramanga	341
71	Comfacauca University Corporation – UNICOMFACAUCA	336
72	EIA University	315
73	University of La Sabana	314
74	San Martin University Foundation	308
75	International Polytechnic Higher Education Institution	306
76	Eseit – Higher School of Business, Engineering and Technology	288
77	Autonomous University of the West	277
78	New America Higher Education Foundation	259
79	University of Cauca	246
80	Agrarian University Foundation of Colombia - UNIAGRARIA	235
81	National Institute of Technical and Professional Training of San Juan del Cesar	231
82	University of Santander UDES	228
83	University of Sucre	224
84	Autonomous Indigenous Intercultural University – UAIIN	211
85	Colegio Mayor del Cauca	210
86	Débora Arango Arts Technological Institute	210
87	International Corporation for Educational Development - CIDE	205
88	Francisco de Paula Santander University	196
89	Remington University Corporation	195
90	Metropolitan University	192
91	Escolme University Institution	176
92	University Institution Colleges of Colombia – UNICOC	173
93	Higher University Institution of Cartagena (formerly Bolívar Higher College)	168
94	Esumer University Foundation	166
95	Cemil Military Education Center	165
96	Universal Corporation for Research and Technology - Coruniversitec	152
97	Regional Corporation of Higher Education CRES of Cali	149
98	College of Higher Studies in Administration - CESA	140
99	University of Sinú	134
100	Salesian University Foundation	133
101	EAFIT University	131
102	Neiva Technological School Foundation – Jesús Oviedo Pérez – FET	126
103	Alexander Von Humboldt Business University Corporation – CUE	124
104	Minuto de Dios Polytechnic Foundation TEC MD	120
105	University of the Amazon	103
106	University of the Pacific	103
107	General José María Córdova Military Cadet School	97
108	Technological University of Bolívar	91
109	University Institution of Fine Arts and Sciences of Bolívar	90
110	University Corporation of Business Sciences, Education and Health - Unicorsalud	89
111	Corporation Institute of Administration and Finance – CIAF	88
112	Business University Foundation of the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce – Uniempresarial	85
113	ARC Barranquilla Naval School for Non-Commissioned Officers	85
114	Northern Tolima Education Corporation – Coreducación	85
115	Santa Rosa de Cabal University Corporation – Unisarc	79
116	Simón Bolívar University	78
117	University Institution of Colombia – University of Colombia	77
118	Catholic University Foundation of the South – Unicatólica del Sur	77
119	Konrad Lorenz University Foundation	71
120	Marine Corps Training School	70
121	University Corporation Workshop Five Design Center	64
122	Francisco José de Caldas District University	54
123	University Foundation for Human Development – UNINPAHU	54
124	Comfenalco Santander University Foundation	50
125	University Corporation Higher Center – Unicuces	44
126	University Corporation of Science and Development – UNICIENCIA	43
127	Colombian School of Rehabilitation Foundation	41
128	Departmental Institute of Fine Arts Cali	38
129	University of Applied and Environmental Sciences – UDCA	35
130	Autonomous University Corporation of the North	35
131	Unified Hispanic American Corporation for Higher Education	32
132	EAM University Institution	31
133	Alberto Merani Technological Foundation	28
134	Colombo Andean Polytechnic Corporation	27
135	National Institute of Technical and Professional Training of San Andrés	26
136	Comfamiliar Risaralda University Foundation	21
137	Technological Institute of Putumayo	20
138	Sanitas University Foundation	17
139	San Pablo University Foundation – Unisanpablo	17
140	Caro y Cuervo Institute	14
141	Tolima Conservatory	13
142	Colombo American University Institution – UNICA	10
143	Cieo University Foundation – Unicieo	10
144	University of Cundinamarca	7
145	Luis G. Páez University Foundation – Uniluisgpaez	1
146	International School of Higher Studies – Inter	1

There are four higher education institutions (HEIs) that do not appear with reported figures for 2023, so the figures reported for 2024 are shown as positive (without knowing if they were actually an increase or not): The University Foundation of Fine Arts (538), the School of Logistics (306), the School of Technology of Antioquia (70), and the Chicamocha University (52).

The higher education institutions that grew in percentage terms (%) in 2024-2, compared to 2023-2

Location	Institution	Percentage growth
1	Incca University of Colombia	745,35%
2	University Corporation of Catalonia	174,77%
3	Regional Corporation of Higher Education CRES of Cali	127,35%
4	University Institution of Barranquilla – IUB	100,15%
5	Universal Corporation for Research and Technology - Coruniversitec	84,92%
6	Cemil Military Education Center	84,18%
7	General Rafael Reyes Prieto War College	69,42%
8	New America Higher Education Foundation	66,58%
9	Technical Unit for Professional Development – UTEDÉ	60,41%
10	Northern Tolima Education Corporation – Coreducación	59,86%
11	Salesian University Foundation	58,59%
12	Cenda University Corporation	50,12%
13	Technological Institute of Antioquia	44,06%
14	Higher Institute of Rural Education – ISER	41,74%
15	Colombo Andean Polytechnic Corporation	41,54%
16	San Pablo University Foundation – Unisanpablo	40,48%
17	University Corporation of Asturias	40,17%
18	Digital University Institution of Antioquia - IU. DIGITAL	39,85%
19	Colombian Industrial Technology Corporation – Teinco	36,81%
20	Unified Hispanic American Corporation for Higher Education	34,78%
21	National Institute of Technical and Professional Training – Humberto Velásquez García	30,32%
22	Eseit – Higher School of Business, Engineering and Technology	29,57%
23	Autonomous Indigenous Intercultural University – UAIIN	28,83%
24	National Institute of Technical and Professional Training of San Juan del Cesar	28,73%
25	Catholic University Foundation of the South – Unicatólica del Sur	27,90%
26	Roldanillo Institute of Professional Technical Education	27,56%
27	Comfenalco Santander University Foundation	26,74%
28	Colombo-German University Foundation	26,01%
29	Police Education Directorate (formerly National Directorate of Schools)	23,96%
30	International University of the American Tropics	21,72%
31	National Open and Distance University UNAD	20,53%
32	International University Foundation of La Rioja - UNIR	20,13%
33	Marine Corps Training School	19,94%
34	Débora Arango Arts Technological Institute	18,73%
35	Pascual Bravo University Institution	18,22%
36	University Institution of Colombia – University of Colombia	18,12%
37	International Corporation for Educational Development - CIDE	17,92%
38	Ibero-American University Corporation	17,71%
39	Antonio José Camacho University Institution	16,40%
40	Central Unit of the Cauca Valley	16,19%
41	Escolme University Institution	16,09%
42	Neiva Technological School Foundation – Jesús Oviedo Pérez – FET	16,03%
43	National Unified Corporation of Higher Education - CUN	15,43%
44	Autonomous University Corporation of the North	15,42%
45	EIA University	14,74%
46	Alberto Merani Technological Foundation	14,07%
47	Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia – UPTC	13,06%
48	Santander Technological Units	12,81%
49	Reformed University Corporation – CUR	12,72%
50	ARC Barranquilla Naval School for Non-Commissioned Officers	12,21%
51	University Institute of La Paz	12,03%
52	Caro y Cuervo Institute	11,86%
53	University Institution of Envigado	11,74%
54	Colegio Mayor de Antioquia	11,19%
55	Technological School Central Technical Institute	11,05%
56	University Corporation of Business Sciences, Education and Health - Unicorsalud	10,63%
57	Comfacauca University Corporation – UNICOMFACAUCA	10,51%
58	University of Manizales	10,39%
59	University of Magdalena	10,05%
60	National Institute of Technical and Professional Training of San Andrés	9,89%
61	University of La Guajira	9,80%
62	Business University Foundation of the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce – Uniempresarial	9,60%
63	Santiago de Cali University	9,52%
64	Esumer University Foundation	9,40%
65	National School of Sport	9,34%
66	University Institution Colleges of Colombia – UNICOC	8,81%
67	Compensar University Foundation	8,80%
68	Manuela Beltrán University	8,78%
69	International School of Higher Studies – Inter	8,33%
70	Santa Rosa de Cabal University Corporation – Unisarc	8,27%
71	College of Higher Studies in Administration - CESA	8,18%
72	Jorge Tadeo Lozano University Foundation of Bogotá	8,13%
73	Colegio Mayor del Cauca	8,04%
74	Andean Area University Foundation	7,97%
75	University of Pamplona	7,78%
76	Santo Tomás University	7,76%
77	Alexander Von Humboldt Business University Corporation – CUE	7,71%
78	University Corporation Higher Center – Unicuces	7,46%
79	Metropolitan Technological Institute ITM	7,45%
80	University Corporation Workshop Five Design Center	7,23%
81	Technological University of Chocó	7,20%
82	Industrial University of Santander	6,95%
83	Los Libertadores University Foundation	6,88%
84	Agrarian University Foundation of Colombia - UNIAGRARIA	6,86%
85	Cieo University Foundation – Unicieo	6,85%
86	Popular University of Cesar	6,69%
87	Nueva Granada Military University	6,63%
88	Colombo American University Institution – UNICA	6,58%
89	Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca University	6,43%
90	Corporation Institute of Administration and Finance – CIAF	6,30%
91	Minuto de Dios Polytechnic Foundation TEC MD	6,28%
92	University of Tolima	6,28%
93	University of Caldas	6,22%
94	University Institution of Fine Arts and Sciences of Bolívar	6,20%
95	National Pedagogical University	6,17%
96	University of Antioquia	6,10%
97	ICESI University	6,08%
98	University of Los Llanos	5,86%
99	International Polytechnic Higher Education Institution	5,52%
100	University of Cartagena	5,34%
101	Higher School of Public Administration – ESAP	5,34%
102	University Institution of Cartagena (formerly Bolívar College)	4,66%
103	Departmental Institute of Fine Arts Cali	4,58%
104	San Martin University Foundation	4,49%
105	Technological University of Pereira	4,38%
106	Comfenalco Technological University Foundation – Cartagena	4,28%
107	La Salle University	3,96%
108	Metropolitan University	3,95%
109	El Bosque University	3,91%
110	Autonomous University of Bucaramanga	3,79%
111	National Learning Service SENA	3,77%
112	Colombian School of Rehabilitation Foundation	3,64%
113	University of Sucre	3,57%
114	University of the Pacific	3,48%
115	University of Nariño	3,25%
116	Autonomous University of the West	3,24%
117	EAM University Institution	3,07%
118	General José María Córdova Military Cadet School	2,97%
119	EAN University	2,93%
120	University of San Buenaventura	2,90%
121	Cooperative University of Colombia	2,59%
122	University of Quindío	2,54%
123	University of La Sabana	2,40%
124	Tolima Conservatory	2,34%
125	University Foundation for Human Development – UNINPAHU	2,13%
126	Grancolombiano Polytechnic	2,06%
127	Luis G. Páez University Foundation	2,00%
128	University of the Valley	1,93%
129	University Corporation of Science and Development – UNICIENCIA	1,91%
130	Konrad Lorenz University Foundation	1,73%
131	Comfamiliar Risaralda University Foundation	1,66%
132	Technological University of Bolívar	1,63%
133	University of Santander UDES	1,60%
134	University of Cauca	1,45%
135	University of the Amazon	1,31%
136	Remington University Corporation	1,12%
137	National University of Colombia	1,06%
138	EAFIT University	1,03%
139	Sanitas University Foundation	0,97%
140	Francisco de Paula Santander University	0,93%
141	Technological Institute of Putumayo	0,87%
142	University of Sinú	0,86%
143	University of Applied and Environmental Sciences – UDCA	0,70%
144	Simón Bolívar University	0,45%
145	Francisco José de Caldas District University	0,23%
146	University of Cundinamarca	0,06%

Source: www.universidad.edu.co

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