Universidad Panamericana

What Universidad Panamericana does

Universidad Panamericana (UPANA) is a private Guatemalan higher-education institution founded in 1993 and headquartered at Campus Central in Guatemala City's Zona 15, operating on a Christian-values-based educational model. It runs 13 owned campuses and 106 satellite locations (sedes) across Guatemala City and interior departments, complemented by an online modality (UPANA Virtual) and a music academy (UPANA Music Academy). The institution delivers 140 programs spanning technical degrees, teaching certifications, licenciatura, master's, and doctoral levels across 12 faculties covering economics, law, medicine, health sciences, education, communications, engineering, architecture, dentistry, humanities, and theology, enrolling more than 20,000 students in presencial, semipresencial, and virtual modalities.

The underlying technology stack is conventional education-software infrastructure rather than a proprietary technology moat: a Banner-based student portal, the UPANA Virtual online learning platform, the Glifos digital library, and an in-house vocational-orientation test (Orientate). Complementary platforms include the PEI credit-equivalency program, the Bienestar Estudiantil student well-being service, and the CAS social-assistance center (celebrating 20 years in 2026). The institution is accredited by Guatemala's Consejo de Educación Superior (CEPS) and led by Rector M.Th. Mynor Herrera and Administrative Vice-Rector M.A. César Augusto Custodio Cobar.

UPANA generates revenue primarily through recurring tuition across undergraduate, graduate, and continuing-education programs (subscription model), with additional revenue from diplomas, micro-certifications, and ancillary services such as CAS. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; prospective students are routed through the admissions portal, a dedicated phone line (1779), and WhatsApp. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer across Guatemala, supported by campus tours, the UPANATHON annual academic competition for high-school seniors, the Orientate vocational test, social media, and partnerships with public-sector bodies (IGSS, ANADIE) and private-sector employers (CACIF, GBM, Swisscontact, Nestlé Guatemala).

Name

Universidad Panamericana

Legal name

Universidad Panamericana de Guatemala

Website

https://upana.edu.gt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Universidad Panamericana (UPANA) is a private Guatemalan university operating 13 campuses and 106 satellite locations, delivering 140 programs across 12 faculties to more than 20,000 students in presencial, semipresencial, and virtual modalities under a Christian-values educational model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Diploma-to-Degree / Articulation & Credit-Transfer Pathways (EDAIAJAG)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate education programs
• Online university learning
• Continuing education diplomas

Headquarters

HQ city

Guatemala City (Zona 15)

HQ country

Guatemala

HQ region

Latin America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition – Undergraduate Programs (Licenciatura): Tuition revenue from undergraduate degree programs across all 12 faculties (Ciencias Económicas, Jurídicas, Médicas, Salud, Educación, Comunicación, Ingeniería, Arquitectura, Odontología, Humanidades, Teología, and UPANA Virtual). Programs offered in technical, teaching (profesorado), bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.
2. Tuition – Graduate Programs (Maestrías y Doctorados): Graduate-level tuition from master's and doctoral programs, including specialized offerings such as the Maestría en Gestión de Proyectos, Maestría en Derecho Procesal, and MBA programs.
3. Continuing Education and Diplomas: Revenue from diploma programs, certifications, micro-certifications, and specialized short courses for professional development.
4. Social Assistance and Community Services (CAS): Centro de Asistencia Social (CAS) provides subsidized social services to the community, funded partially through institutional resources and partnerships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Universidad Panamericana is a private university in Guatemala that delivers higher education across 12 faculties and 140 programs—spanning technical degrees, teaching certifications (profesorados), bachelor's (licenciaturas), master's, and doctoral programs—in presencial, semipresencial, and virtual modalities through 13 campuses and 106 satellite locations. It monetizes tuition from undergraduate and graduate students, supplemented by continuing education diplomas and a community social assistance center (CAS). Complementary student services include UPANA Virtual, the Glifos digital library, Orientate vocational testing, PEI academic credit recovery, student well-being services, and the UPANA Music Academy.

Product overview

Universidad Panamericana (UPANA) is a comprehensive private university in Guatemala operating 13 campuses and 106 locations nationwide. The institution offers a complete higher education ecosystem including undergraduate degrees, master's programs, doctorates, technical programs, and teaching certifications across 12 faculties (Ciencias Económicas, Ciencias Jurídicas y Justicia, Ciencias Médicas, Ciencias de la Salud, Ciencias de la Educación, Ciencias de la Comunicación, Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Arquitectura, Odontología, Humanidades, Teología, and UPANA Virtual). The university provides complementary platforms including UPANA Virtual for online learning, a Virtual Library (Glifos), student well-being services (Bienestar Estudiantil), social assistance (Centro de Asistencia Social - CAS), a music academy, and vocational orientation testing. Programs are delivered in presencial, semipresencial, and virtual modalities, serving over 20,000 students across 140 career programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Universidad Panamericana (UPANA) – Undergraduate Degree Programs (Licenciaturas) Undergraduate bachelor's degree programs (licenciaturas) across 12 faculties including Economics, Legal Sciences, Medical Sciences, Health Sciences, Education, Communication, Engineering, Architecture, Dentistry, Humanities, and Theology, delivered in presencial, semipresencial, and virtual modalities to over 20,000 students in Guatemala.
• Maestrías y Doctorados (Master's and Doctoral Programs) Graduate-level master's and doctoral programs, including MBA, Master's in Education for Virtual Environments, Master's in Leadership and Human Talent Management, Master's in Project Management, and specialized doctoral programs, designed for working professionals seeking career advancement.
• UPANA Virtual Online/virtual learning modality platform enabling distance education across all faculties, allowing students to study efficiently and remotely across Guatemala.
• Programa de Equivalencias Integrales (PEI) Personalized academic plan enabling students with completed or closed curricula from other institutions to continue and optimize their academic trajectory at UPANA.
• UPANA Music Academy Specialized music education program offered as part of UPANA's comprehensive academic ecosystem.
• Centro de Asistencia Social (CAS) Social assistance center providing subsidized community services to the public and serving as a practical training venue for UPANA students, celebrating 20 years of operation in 2026.
• Escuela de Negocios de Alto Nivel (ENAN) High-level business school within UPANA, partnering with ANADIE for specialized training in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and offering graduate business education.
• Continuing Education and Diploma Programs Diploma programs, certifications, micro-certifications, and specialized short courses for professional development offered to working professionals and the broader community.
• Spain Program (Movart) International program offered in partnership with Carlos V university in Spain, enabling UPANA students to access Spanish university experiences with a €500 reservation deposit.
• UPANATHON Academic Competition Annual national academic competition for high school seniors (diversificado) across Guatemala, designed to develop critical thinking, research, innovation, and teamwork skills. Free participation for the current cohort, valued at US$1,500 per student.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students of the Faculty of Legal Sciences won the Moot Legislativo Interuniversitario 2025 (organized by the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala) among 30+ teams, with a proposal to regulate odor pollution.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IGSS (Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2025UPANA and IGSS signed a cooperation agreement enabling medical, dental, and nursing students to conduct professional internships at IGSS facilities. The agreement also includes training and professional development programs for IGSS workers, strengthening practical education and healthcare quality in Guatemala.
• ANADIE (Agencia Nacional de Alianzas para el Desarrollo de Infraestructura Económica)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2025UPANA (through its Escuela de Negocios de Alto Nivel – ENAN) and ANADIE signed a framework cooperation agreement to strengthen professional education in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). The agreement includes specialized courses and promotes the Master's in Project Management, with modules based on real PPP project experiences in Guatemala.
• SPIL Business CenterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 April 2024UPANA signed a cooperation agreement with SPIL Business Center to provide benefits for UPANA students and graduates, potentially including discounts, internship pathways, or career services.
• European Centre for Career Education (ECCEDU)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2024UPANA signed a memorandum of understanding with ECCEDU to provide international internship opportunities for UPANA students and alumni.
• CACIF / CACIF JovencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023UPANA co-organizes the 'Generando Futuro' entrepreneurship event with CACIF Joven. The event includes student entrepreneurship competitions, expert panels, and keynote sessions (e.g., with Nestlé Guatemala's director general). UPANA's rector and department IDEUN actively participate in the event.
• GBMminorOthersGBM logo appears in the university-company linkage (Vinculación Universidad Empresa) section of the UPANA website, indicating a partnership or collaboration relationship.
• SwisscontactminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwisscontact logo appears in the university-company linkage section. Swisscontact also participated as a panelist in the 'Generando Futuro' entrepreneurship event at UPANA, representing the Startkit project.
• CEPS (Consejo de Educación Superior de Guatemala)coreOthersUPANA is accredited/recognized by CEPS (Consejo de Educación Superior de Guatemala), Guatemala's higher education council, which oversees university accreditation.
• CAS (Centro de Asistencia Social)coreOthersUPANA's Centro de Asistencia Social (CAS) is a community social assistance center operated by the university, providing subsidized services to the public and serving as a practical training venue for students.
• Colegio Cristiano Verbo, Instituto Técnico Privado Vocacional ZacapaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institutions for the metabolic risk study conducted by UPANA Campus Zacapa in September 2025, involving 193 students from Zacapa.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• INCAE Business School: Top-ranked Central American business school with campuses in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Comparable to UPANA's ENAN in the graduate business education space, though focused on MBAs and executive education.
• Tecnológico de Monterrey (Tec de Monterrey): Mexico's leading private university with extensive online and on-campus programs. Comparable to UPANA in multi-modal delivery and comprehensive program offerings, though serving a larger and more affluent market.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Global online education platform partnering with universities to deliver courses and credentials. Indirectly competes with UPANA Virtual for adult learners and continuing education, particularly in Guatemala's professional development market.

Direct peers

• Universidad del Istmo: Private Guatemalan university offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Competes with UPANA in business, engineering, and social sciences, with overlapping geographic student base.
• Universidad Francisco Marroquín (UFM): Prestigious private university in Guatemala focused on liberal arts, business, and medicine. Competes with UPANA for top-tier Guatemalan students, particularly in economics, medicine, and law programs.
• Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC): Guatemala's public national university, the largest higher education institution in the country. Competes with UPANA on price (public vs. private) and program breadth, though with different positioning and accessibility.
• Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG): Leading private university in Guatemala offering undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple faculties. Direct competitor to UPANA in the Guatemalan higher education market with similar student demographics and urban campus presence.
• Universidad Rafael Landívar (URL): Jesuit private university in Guatemala operating multiple campuses nationwide. Directly competes with UPANA for undergraduate students with comprehensive program offerings across business, law, health, and engineering.
• Universidad Mariano Gálvez: Large private Guatemalan university with nationwide campus presence and broad program offerings. Competes with UPANA across multiple faculties and shares a similarly distributed geographic footprint.
• Universidad Galileo: Private Guatemalan university with strong presence in technology, health sciences, and engineering. Direct competitor to UPANA in STEM and health disciplines, also offering online programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCUQfimhnJnvUWw9_Ck4ZT1Q/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/upanamericana
• Instagraminstagram.com/upanaguatemala
• TikToktiktok.com/@upanaguatemala
• Xx.com/upanagt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/upana

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Universidad Panamericana