Universidad APEC
Universidad APEC is a Dominican Republic higher education institution founded in 1964, offering undergraduate, graduate, online, and continuing education programs. It was the first Dominican university with ACBSP-accredited business programs and holds a QS Stars 5-Star rating.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersSanto Domingo, Dominican Republic
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Universidad APEC does
Universidad APEC (UNAPEC) is a private higher education institution founded in 1964 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and the founding member of the Acción Pro Educación y Cultura (APEC) group, which also includes FUNDAPEC (student financing), CENAPEC, PROMAPEC, and CAFAM (K-12). The university delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across business, engineering, humanities, communication, law, and social sciences, alongside continuing education, a language school, and online offerings through its UNAPEC Virtual platform. Its core delivery stack consists of Canvas LMS and Ellucian Banner 9, with specialized facilities including a Virtual Reality Zone (ZVR), a Finance Laboratory with Banco Popular Dominicano, a forensic computer laboratory with Technologyint, and the ACCES technology center for students with disabilities.
UNAPEC's revenue model is anchored on recurring per-semester (cuatrimestral) tuition subscriptions for undergraduate and graduate programs, supplemented by one-time fees for continuing-education diplomas, language-school enrollments, and research/consulting engagements. Customer segments split between traditional high-school graduates entering undergraduate study, working professionals pursuing master's and doctoral degrees, lifelong learners in continuing education, and K-12 educators seeking certification, with pricing tiered by modality (in-person vs. online). Marketing channels include a sales-led admissions motion with educational fairs (Xplora), school-counselor networks, on-campus events, digital and social media presence, and corporate training partnerships, all supported by an alumni network spanning 35 countries and an 87% reported graduate employability rate.
Strategically, UNAPEC has consolidated a strong regulatory and brand position as the first Dominican university to earn ACBSP accreditation for business programs and GCREAS accreditation for electronics engineering, holding a UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Water Management and a QS Stars 5-Star rating. The institution is currently executing an active expansion under new rectoral leadership (Erik Pérez Vega, 2025), launching cybersecurity, neuromarketing, and logistics programs, deepening the 20-year Empire State University alliance, and rolling out Huawei ICT Academy certifications, while channeling over RD$422M of investment into its 60th-anniversary modernization program.
Universidad APEC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Universidad APEC
- Legal name
- Universidad APEC
- Website
- https://unapec.edu.do
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Universidad APEC is a Dominican Republic higher education institution founded in 1964, offering undergraduate, graduate, online, and continuing education programs. It was the first Dominican university with ACBSP-accredited business programs and holds a QS Stars 5-Star rating.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Universidad APEC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA), Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL), Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA)
Keywords
Where Universidad APEC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santo Domingo
- HQ country
- Dominican Republic
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Universidad APEC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition and Academic Fees: Primary revenue from semester/quarterly tuition payments for undergraduate and graduate programs, including online and in-person modalities
- Continuing Education Programs: Revenue from professional development courses, diploma programs, and specialized certifications for working professionals
- Language School Programs: Revenue from the Language School offering English, Spanish, and other language instruction programs
- Research and Consulting Services: Revenue from research partnerships, consulting engagements, and collaborative projects with government and private sector
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Undergraduate Programs (Grado) |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Graduate Programs (Posgrado) |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Online Programs |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Continuing Education |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Universidad APEC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Universidad APEC is a Dominican higher education institution that delivers accredited undergraduate degree programs, graduate and master's programs, online learning (UNAPEC Online), continuing education diplomas and certifications, and a language school. Programs span business, engineering, humanities, communication, law, social sciences, and emerging fields such as cybersecurity and neuromarketing, delivered through the Santo Domingo main campus and digital platforms powered by Canvas LMS and Ellucian Banner.
Product overview
Universidad APEC is a higher education institution offering a comprehensive academic portfolio consisting of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, online and continuing education offerings, and specialized language training. The institution operates through multiple sub-brands including CEMPRENDE for entrepreneurship, CIAE for international studies, and Radio Unapec for media. Key facilities include a Virtual Reality Learning Zone, Finance Laboratory, and ACCES Technology Center for students with disabilities. Programs are delivered through Canvas LMS and Ellucian Banner platforms, with ACBSP accreditation for business programs and QS Stars five-star rating for teaching quality.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- UNAPEC Online: Plataforma de programas de posgrado en línea
- CEMPRENDE
- CIAE
- Radio UNAPEC
- CAFAM
- Escuela de Idiomas
Products and services
- Programas de Grado (Undergraduate Degree Programs) Undergraduate degree programs across multiple disciplines including business, engineering, humanities, arts, communication, law, and social sciences, designed for recent high school graduates pursuing a first professional degree.
- Programas de Posgrado (Graduate and Master's Programs) Graduate and master's degree programs with specializations in business administration, finance, human resources, integral auditing, corporate communications, commercial direction, and emerging areas such as cybersecurity architecture and neuromarketing.
- UNAPEC Online
Quantifiable outcome
- 87% graduate employability rate
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Universidad APEC
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Universidad APEC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability5 records
Feature4 records
Universidad APEC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
36 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Centro Educativo Siglo XXIminorAgreement to strengthen language teaching at partner educational institution
- CONECTA UnapecminorInternal platform launched by UNAPEC to boost student employability and connect graduates with employment opportunities
- Fundación TimeartminorScholarship program partnership for student financial support
- ProDominicanacoreLaunch of Master's in Strategic Management of International Business; renewed collaboration agreement for export training
- Empire State Universitycore20-year academic alliance with dual degree programs. Students can earn credentials from both institutions, with graduation ceremonies held in New York
- Lantica StudiosminorPartnership to strengthen cinematic and audiovisual training programs
- Mandarin Centers InstituteminorStrategic partnership to promote Chinese language and Mandarin teaching in Dominican Republic
- Huawei ICT AcademycoreStrategic collaboration to implement Huawei ICT Academy for technology education and certifications
- Banco Popular DominicanocoreFinancial Week partnership delivering financial education conferences and Finance Lab inauguration
- PMI República DominicanaminorProject management training and certification partnership
- Universidad Federal de Río de Janeiro (UFRJ)minorScientific and academic collaboration agreement with Brazil's leading university
- QS StarscoreInternational quality rating and star certification system for higher education institutions
- Embassy of the United StatesminorJoint academic cooperation and internationalization projects
- Huawei ICT AcademycoreTechnology education and certification programs in ICT areas
- MICMminorMinistry workshop 'How to Be Better Mentors' for entrepreneurship support
- Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL)minorFirst Design Week partnership for international design education exchange with Peru
- Equality AcademyminorPartnership to strengthen AI training and education programs
- AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie)minorFrench university network partnership for AI training for faculty and international collaboration in francophone space
- Embassy of TürkiyeminorCultural exchange through gastronomic event 'Sabores de Türkiye'
- IndrhiminorNational Water Resources Institute partnership for water sector strengthening
- Embassy of KoreaminorAcademic and cultural cooperation agreement with Korean embassy
- Arthur Jack Global School of BusinessminorInternational academic exchange partnership for business education
- Fundación PuntaCanaminorEnvironmental research collaboration through inauguration of Marine Innovation Center; sargazo (seaweed) research initiatives
- Embassy of IndiaminorCultural exchange activities and academic collaboration with Indian embassy; Hindi language and culture promotion
- SOS CarbonminorResearch and sustainability partnership for climate change initiatives
- Istituto Europeo di Design (IED)minorInternational design education conferences and masterclasses with Spain-based institution
- Asociación de Empresas and Zona Franca Industrial Las AméricasminorTripartite agreement to boost job placement with professional experience
- QS StarscoreInternational quality rating achieving 5 stars in teaching, online learning, diversity, equity and inclusion categories
- AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie)minorAI training program for teachers launched in collaboration with the French university network
- DP World CaucedominorInternational trade and logistics field visits for Business students
- Embassy of JapanminorScholarship program orientation and Japanese government scholarship information for Dominican students
- Dominican Association of Lawyers in USA (DBA)minorBilateral internship and knowledge exchange programs for law students and professionals
- TotalEnergies Marketing DominicanaminorSustainability initiatives collaboration agreement
- Banco Popular DominicanocoreInauguration of Popular Finance Lab for business and finance students
- MESCYT, MEPyD, GSAcoreMulti-institutional agreement to promote innovative technologies for sustainable water resource management
- UNESCOcoreUNESCO Chair in Sustainable Water Management approved December 2022; leading the Interuniversity Sargasso Network
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Universidad APEC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD): Largest public university in the Dominican Republic, providing low-cost higher education. While not a direct private-peer, it sets the price floor that constrains UNAPEC's tuition and absorbs students who would otherwise consider UNAPEC.
Direct peers
- Empire State University (SUNY): U.S. public university with extensive online and international programming. Has maintained a 20-year dual-degree alliance with UNAPEC, making it both a partner and a structural benchmark for online scale and internationalization.
- Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE): Major private Dominican university offering undergraduate and graduate programs across similar disciplines. Competes head-to-head with UNAPEC for Santo Domingo-based traditional and continuing-education students.
- Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC): Private Dominican university focused on technology, engineering, and business programs. Direct peer for STEM and business students in the Santo Domingo market, with overlapping ACBSP-quality positioning.
- Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM): Largest private university in the Dominican Republic with multiple campuses and broad undergraduate/graduate offerings. Directly competes with UNAPEC for the same Dominican student pool, especially in business, engineering, and law programs.
- Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU): Private Dominican university with broad academic portfolio and architecture/engineering strengths. Competes with UNAPEC for traditional students in Santo Domingo and offers comparable continuing-education programs.
Regional players
- Universidad César Vallejo (UCV): Large private Peruvian university with nationwide campus network and growing online presence. Comparable scale and Latin American private-university operating model with similar diversification into continuing education.
- Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL): Peruvian private university with international focus and design/business programs. Direct partner of UNAPEC (Design Week) and serves as a comparable Latin American private university with international ambitions.
Emerging players
- Barna Management School: Dominican business-focused higher education institution with strong international accreditations. Specializes in business and management education, partially overlapping with UNAPEC's ACBSP-accredited programs.
Others
- Unibe Short Film Fest partner network (FELAFACS): Latin American federation of communications schools where UNAPEC's Arts & Communication school leadership holds a board seat. Comparable regional peer network for arts and communications programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Universidad APEC social profiles
Digital presenceUniversidad APEC compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Universidad APEC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Universidad APEC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Universidad APEC subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Universidad APEC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Universidad APEC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Universidad APEC
What does Universidad APEC do?
Universidad APEC is a Dominican higher education institution that delivers accredited undergraduate degree programs, graduate and master's programs, online learning (UNAPEC Online), continuing education diplomas and certifications, and a language school. Programs span business, engineering, humanities, communication, law, social sciences, and emerging fields such as cybersecurity and neuromarketing, delivered through the Santo Domingo main campus and digital platforms powered by Canvas LMS and Ellucian Banner.
Is Universidad APEC a public or private company?
Universidad APEC is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Universidad APEC founded?
Universidad APEC was founded in 1964. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Universidad APEC based?
Universidad APEC is headquartered in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in the Latin America region.
How does Universidad APEC make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Academic Fees are the primary driver. The others are continuing Education Programs, language School Programs and research and Consulting Services.
Who are Universidad APEC's main competitors?
Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Empire State University (SUNY), Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE), Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) and Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU). Regional players are Universidad César Vallejo (UCV) and Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL). Barna Management School is listed as an emerging player. Unibe Short Film Fest partner network (FELAFACS) is listed as an others.
Does Universidad APEC have an API?
No public API is recorded for Universidad APEC.
What industry is Universidad APEC in?
Universidad APEC's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHALAK, Online Nonprofit Universities, with a secondary code of EDAHAHAA, Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.