Universidad Católica de Pereira

What Universidad Católica de Pereira does

Universidad Católica de Pereira is a private Catholic higher education institution headquartered in Pereira, Colombia, serving undergraduate, graduate, and continuing-education students primarily in the Risaralda department and broader Eje Cafetero region of Colombia. The university operates under a Christian humanist philosophy and is structured around four faculties (Architecture and Design; Human, Social and Educational Sciences; Basic Sciences and Engineering; and Economic and Administrative Sciences), offering 15+ undergraduate programs, graduate programs including a Doctorate in Education in Human Development, and a Formación Continua continuing-education track. It holds Acreditación en Alta Calidad on multiple flagship programs and operates a network of specialized service centers including CAPSI (psychological services), CRAI (library/research), CIUC (language center), CIE (educational innovation), and Editorial UCP (publishing).

Its technology stack is built around internally developed and configured administrative platforms—SAR for resource management, SIG for integrated management, and QRSF for financial/tax processing—alongside educational technology platforms including a Moodle-based MIAulaVirtual learning environment, the standalone UVirtual online platform, UNIVERSE, and a proprietary CHASIDE career aptitude and interest assessment used as a top-of-funnel admissions tool. Specialized facilities include a MAC laboratory supporting advanced design and audiovisual production. Distribution combines on-campus enrollment, online registration, virtual learning, educational fairs, Radio UCP, and active social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube).

The business model is predominantly tuition-driven (subscription/recurring, annual billing cycle) under Resolution Rectoral No. 042 service values, supplemented by facility rentals, the CIUC language center, academic practice placement services, and Editorial UCP publishing revenue. Financial aid, scholarships, and 30% discounts for high-achieving students (e.g., national competition winners) are administered internally. Go-to-market is sales-led admissions rather than enterprise sales, with the university emphasizing humanistic formation, regional accreditations, and a dense network of clinical-practice and government partners (Hospital San Jorge de Risaralda, Clínica Comfamiliar, Instituto del Sistema Nervioso, Alcaldía de Pereira, Gobernación de Risaralda, CARDER, Diócesis de Pereira) as core differentiators.

Name

Universidad Católica de Pereira

Legal name

Universidad Católica de Pereira

Website

https://ucp.edu.co

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Universidad Católica de Pereira is a private Catholic university in Pereira, Colombia, offering undergraduate, graduate, and continuing-education programs across four faculties to students in the Risaralda department and Eje Cafetero region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Graduate Schools of Education (M.Ed., Ed.D., Ph.D.) (EDAHAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Institutional Planning, Performance Management & Accreditation Liaison (EDADAKAM), Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF), Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE), Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs
• Continuing education
• Language training

Headquarters

HQ city

Pereira

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Registration Fees: Primary revenue from student tuition payments for undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs with annual billing cycles
2. Space Rental: Rental of university facilities and spaces for events and activities
3. CIUC Language Center: Revenue from language learning programs and courses at the Centro de Idiomas
4. Academic Practices Services: Coordination and placement services for student professional practices
5. Publishing Services: Editorial services through the university publishing house

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Universidad Católica de Pereira is a private Catholic higher education institution offering undergraduate programs (Administration, Architecture, Industrial Engineering, Psychology, International Business, Marketing, Systems Engineering, Communication, Design, among others), graduate programs (doctorates, master's, and specializations), continuing education diplomas, language courses through the CIUC center, and a comprehensive suite of student services including a library (CRAI), psychological care (CAPSI), publishing (Editorial UCP), and radio broadcasting (Radio UCP). The institution also provides administrative platforms and a career aptitude assessment (CHASIDE) supporting its 30+ years of academic service in the Eje Cafetero region of Colombia.

Product overview

Universidad Católica de Pereira is a higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs and services. Its core offerings include undergraduate programs (Pregrado), graduate programs (Posgrados including doctorates, specializations, and master's degrees), and continuing education (Formación Continua). The institution supports its educational mission through various digital platforms including Moodle-based virtual learning (MIAulaVirtual), UVirtual for online programs, and specialized service centers such as Radio UCP (broadcasting), CIUC (Language Center), CRAI (Library and Research Center), CAPSI (Psychological Services), CIE (Educational Innovation), and Editorial UCP (Publishing). Administrative operations are supported by internal systems including SAR (Resource Management), SIG (Integrated Management), QRSF (Financial Management), and FixU.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pregrado (Undergraduate Programs) Undergraduate professional degree programs offered to high school graduates seeking accredited higher education in fields such as Administration, Architecture, Industrial Engineering, Psychology, Marketing, International Business, Communication and Journalism, Design, and Systems Engineering.
• Posgrados (Graduate Programs) Graduate-level academic programs including doctorates, master's degrees, and specializations for professionals and graduates seeking advanced credentials in Education, Architecture, Finance, Marketing, Psychology, Project Management, and Software Development.
• Formación Continua (Continuing Education) Continuing education offerings including diplomas, certificates, and short programs for professional development and specialized training, targeted at working professionals and community members.
• CHASIDE Test Online career aptitude and interest assessment tool for prospective students to identify suitable academic programs based on their interests and abilities.
• CIUC - Centro de Idiomas (Language Center) Language learning center offering foreign language courses, primarily English, for students, professionals, and the broader community in the Eje Cafetero region.
• MIAulaVirtual (Moodle-based Virtual Learning Environment) Moodle-based virtual learning management system used for online and blended course delivery by students and faculty across undergraduate and graduate programs.
• UVirtual Online Learning Platform Online education platform supporting distance and hybrid learning programs, enabling remote participation in academic courses.
• CRAI (Centro de Recursos para el Aprendizaje y la Investigación) Library and research resource center combining traditional library services with technology resources and collaborative learning spaces, serving students, faculty, and researchers.
• CAPSI (Centro de Atención Psicológica) Psychological services center providing mental health support to the community while offering clinical practice scenarios for Psychology program students.
• CIE (Centro de Innovación Educativa) Educational innovation center focused on research and development of innovative teaching methodologies and educational practices.
• Editorial UCP University publishing house providing editorial services for academic and scientific publications.
• Radio UCP University radio station providing programming, broadcasting, and community outreach services for the academic community and broader regional audience.

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Universidad de MedellíncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Inter-institutional alliance for academic mobility and joint projects. Universidad de Medellín's Faculty of Communication conducted academic missions to Universidad Católica de Pereira, including workshops, lectures, and cultural exchange activities. Both institutions collaborate on International Communication Strategy Congress and international symposia.
• Universidad México Americana del GolfocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Design Industrial program signed inter-institutional agreement for international academic cooperation including student mobility, joint research projects, mirror classes, and internationalization of curriculum. Presented at Iberoamerican Design Creativism 2026 conference.
• Universidad del RosariocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Academic exchange partnership including joint workshops on data analytics for logistics and supply chain decision-making. Professor exchange for CRM process management. Bogotá campus visits for communication students.
• Universidad EAFITcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Host institution for International Business Olympics where Universidad Católica de Pereira students competed and achieved second place. Active participation in academic competitions and knowledge exchange.
• Diótesis de PereiracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Joint opening of Centro de Escucha y Esperanza (Listening and Hope Center) providing emotional, spiritual support and reconciliation services based on Christian humanism. Located in Centro de Familia, Block Dabar.
• Universidad de Bellas Artes y Ciencias de BolívarminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Academic exchange with Communication Audiovisual program during FICCI film festival visit. Joint academic sessions and dialogue between programs.
• Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (ANH)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Host institution for Tour de Transición Energética interactive experience showcasing clean energy transition through augmented reality, AI and supercomputing.
• Hospital San Jorge de RisaraldacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical practice scenario for Psychology program students. Part of network of healthcare institutions providing professional training opportunities.
• Clínica ComfamiliarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical practice scenario for Psychology program providing hands-on training for students in healthcare settings.
• Cámara de Comercio Colombo AmericanacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 10 students have completed professional practices at the Chamber with some securing employment in the United States. Ongoing cooperation for international mobility and enterprise connections.
• Bolsa de Valores de ColombiaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPunto BVC (Stock Exchange Point) operating at university for financial education and the Bolsa Millonaria competition.
• Instituto del Sistema NerviosocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical practice scenario for Psychology program students in mental health services.
• CARDERminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional environmental authority collaborating on environmental projects including station El Viajero green corridor initiative.
• SENAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology homologation agreement allowing graduates from SENA's Audiovisual Media Technology program to continue studies in Design Audiovisual program.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira: Public university located in Pereira serving as the primary local competitor for engineering, technology, and industrial design students in the same catchment area as UCP.
• Universidad de América: Bogotá-based private university hosting national academic competitions where UCP participates. Comparable scope in design, engineering, and business programs across Colombia.
• Universidad del Rosario: Bogotá-based private university with similar interdisciplinary portfolio in medicine, law, economics, and engineering. Active academic exchange partner to UCP and competes for graduate students across Colombia.
• Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina: Private Colombian higher education institution with strong regional footprint across multiple cities, including proximity to Pereira. Competes directly in continuing education, virtual learning, and professional undergraduate programs.
• Universidad de Medellín: Private Colombian university with complementary programs in communication, engineering, and social sciences. Maintains an active inter-institutional alliance with UCP for academic mobility and joint projects.

Broad incumbents

• Universidad Libre de Colombia: Large private Colombian university with multi-city presence including Pereira. Competes head-to-head for regional undergraduate enrollment in business, law, and engineering programs.
• Universidad EAFIT: Major Colombian private university headquartered in Medellín with broad undergraduate and graduate portfolio across engineering, business, and design. Directly comparable as a competitor for international business and engineering students in Colombia and as a recurring strategic partner to UCP.
• Pontificia Universidad Javeriana: Premier Jesuit (Catholic) Colombian private university with national brand. Closest theological and philosophical peer as a Catholic-affiliated higher education institution, competing for religiously-oriented and graduate students.
• Universidad del Valle: Major public Colombian university serving western Colombia including the Eje Cafetero region. Public counterpart that competes for top-tier students in UCP's core programs.
• Universidad Nacional de Colombia: Premier public Colombian university with national reach and broad program portfolio. Public-status competitor that constrains price ceilings for private institutions like UCP in the Eje Cafetero region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@canalucp
• Facebookfacebook.com/ucatolicadepereira/?locale=es_LA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/universidad-catlica-popular-del-risaralda
• Instagraminstagram.com/ucatolicadepereira

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 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 Católica de Pereira