Universidad APEC

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.

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

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

• Higher education
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs
• Continuing education
• Online learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Santo Domingo

HQ country

Dominican Republic

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Primary revenue from semester/quarterly tuition payments for undergraduate and graduate programs, including online and in-person modalities
2. Continuing Education Programs: Revenue from professional development courses, diploma programs, and specialized certifications for working professionals
3. Language School Programs: Revenue from the Language School offering English, Spanish, and other language instruction programs
4. Research and Consulting Services: Revenue from research partnerships, consulting engagements, and collaborative projects with government and private sector

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Centro Educativo Siglo XXIminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2026Agreement to strengthen language teaching at partner educational institution
• CONECTA UnapecminorOthers · 16 June 2026Internal platform launched by UNAPEC to boost student employability and connect graduates with employment opportunities
• Fundación TimeartminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 June 2026Scholarship program partnership for student financial support
• ProDominicanacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Launch of Master's in Strategic Management of International Business; renewed collaboration agreement for export training
• Empire State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 202620-year academic alliance with dual degree programs. Students can earn credentials from both institutions, with graduation ceremonies held in New York
• Lantica StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Partnership to strengthen cinematic and audiovisual training programs
• Mandarin Centers InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026Strategic partnership to promote Chinese language and Mandarin teaching in Dominican Republic
• Huawei ICT AcademycoreTechnology or Integration · 10 March 2026Strategic collaboration to implement Huawei ICT Academy for technology education and certifications
• Banco Popular DominicanocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 November 2025Financial Week partnership delivering financial education conferences and Finance Lab inauguration
• PMI República DominicanaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 November 2025Project management training and certification partnership
• Universidad Federal de Río de Janeiro (UFRJ)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2025Scientific and academic collaboration agreement with Brazil's leading university
• QS StarscoreOthers · 25 October 2025International quality rating and star certification system for higher education institutions
• Embassy of the United StatesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2025Joint academic cooperation and internationalization projects
• Huawei ICT AcademycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 August 2025Technology education and certification programs in ICT areas
• MICMminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 July 2025Ministry workshop 'How to Be Better Mentors' for entrepreneurship support
• Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2025First Design Week partnership for international design education exchange with Peru
• Equality AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2025Partnership to strengthen AI training and education programs
• AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2025French university network partnership for AI training for faculty and international collaboration in francophone space
• Embassy of TürkiyeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2025Cultural exchange through gastronomic event 'Sabores de Türkiye'
• IndrhiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2025National Water Resources Institute partnership for water sector strengthening
• Embassy of KoreaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Academic and cultural cooperation agreement with Korean embassy
• Arthur Jack Global School of BusinessminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2025International academic exchange partnership for business education
• Fundación PuntaCanaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2025Environmental research collaboration through inauguration of Marine Innovation Center; sargazo (seaweed) research initiatives
• Embassy of IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2025Cultural exchange activities and academic collaboration with Indian embassy; Hindi language and culture promotion
• SOS CarbonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2025Research and sustainability partnership for climate change initiatives
• Istituto Europeo di Design (IED)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2025International design education conferences and masterclasses with Spain-based institution
• Asociación de Empresas and Zona Franca Industrial Las AméricasminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2024Tripartite agreement to boost job placement with professional experience
• QS StarscoreOthers · 28 October 2024International quality rating achieving 5 stars in teaching, online learning, diversity, equity and inclusion categories
• AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2024AI training program for teachers launched in collaboration with the French university network
• DP World CaucedominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 October 2024International trade and logistics field visits for Business students
• Embassy of JapanminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2024Scholarship program orientation and Japanese government scholarship information for Dominican students
• Dominican Association of Lawyers in USA (DBA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2024Bilateral internship and knowledge exchange programs for law students and professionals
• TotalEnergies Marketing DominicanaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2024Sustainability initiatives collaboration agreement
• Banco Popular DominicanocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 2023Inauguration of Popular Finance Lab for business and finance students
• MESCYT, MEPyD, GSAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2023Multi-institutional agreement to promote innovative technologies for sustainable water resource management
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2023UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Water Management approved December 2022; leading the Interuniversity Sargasso Network

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad 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

• Xx.com/unapec
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/universidadapec
• Facebookfacebook.com/153111598070639
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/universidad-apec
• Instagraminstagram.com/unapec

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 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 APEC