What Arcos Learning Abroad does

Arcos Learning Abroad is a private, Austin-headquartered study abroad provider founded in 2020 by the former core leadership of Sol Education Abroad. The company delivers credit-bearing study abroad programming for U.S. university students across four destinations — Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Spain — through affiliations with 50+ U.S. universities and 12+ accredited foreign partner institutions (Universidad de Granada, Universidad de Belgrano, Universidad Politécnica Internacional, etc.). Programs range from 1-week short-term sessions ($1,895) to full academic-year and semester offerings (up to $17,495), bundled as all-inclusive packages covering tuition, housing (primarily homestays), meals, excursions, insurance, and visa assistance. The core team of 8 employees operates a high-touch, advisor-mediated model with onsite bilingual directors at each destination, supplemented by specialized offerings: Arcos Journeys (high school/gap year sub-brand), Soccer Academy (with MIFA/CFIG in Granada), Camino de Santiago pilgrimage programs, and Online Learning (remote Spanish and elective courses).

The technology stack is intentionally lean and web-based: Google Forms for applications, AffiniPay for payment processing, Calendly for advisor scheduling, and Wise recommendations for student money management. There is no proprietary platform; operational differentiation rests on established credit pre-approval workflows, transcript handling through U.S. Schools of Record (notably Metropolitan State University of Denver), and Cigna Global-insured student health coverage. Go-to-market is sales-led through university study abroad office affiliations combined with community-led word-of-mouth via alumni and study abroad fairs; distribution channels also include GoAbroad and GoOverseas directory listings, organic social media, and email nurture sequences. Revenue is generated primarily through program tuition bundles, with secondary streams from online course fees, travel protection insurance commissions, eSIM referral fees, transcript processing fees ($25-$55), and affiliated soccer/pilgrimage premium programs.

Arcos has no disclosed external funding and operates as a bootstrapped, founder-controlled entity. It has won consecutive GoAbroad Top Rated Provider and GoOverseas Community Choice Awards (2024, 2025) and is a member of The Forum on Education Abroad. Key risks for the business model include its lean 8-person team relative to operational scope (heavy reliance on partner institutions and outsourced service delivery), limited geographic diversification (Spanish-speaking destinations only), dependence on U.S. university study abroad office relationships, and lack of proprietary technology or AI capabilities that could compress service costs or differentiate against larger, better-capitalized competitors such as CIEE, IES Abroad, or CEA Study Abroad.

Name

Arcos Learning Abroad

Legal name

Arcos Learning Abroad

Website

https://arcosabroad.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Arcos Learning Abroad is a private Austin-based study abroad provider offering credit-bearing university programs in Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Spain, with 50+ U.S. university affiliations, specialized Soccer and Camino de Santiago programs, and an online learning division.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Study Abroad Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faculty-Led & Custom Group Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAA), Faculty-Led Study Tours & Embedded Short Programs (Home Institution-Led) (EDAIAIAJ), Short-Term & Summer/Winter Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAF), Study Abroad Program Operators (THAKAGAD)

Keywords

• Study abroad programs
• International education services
• Spanish language immersion
• Cultural exchange programs
• Academic credit programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Study Abroad Program Fees: Tuition, housing, meals, excursions, insurance bundled into program pricing ranging from $1,895 (1-week) to $17,495 (semester). Core revenue stream.
2. Online Course Fees: Spanish language courses ($650-$750) and elective courses ($650-$1,275) offered year-round for remote enrollment
3. Travel Protection Plans: Optional Activity Insurance and Activity Insurance Plus plans provided through A+ Program Protection/TravMark for program cancellation and interruption coverage
4. Travel eSIM Services: Partnership with GoAbroad for eSIM data plans providing international cellular service to students abroad
5. Additional Transcript Processing: $25 digital, $35 mail economy, $55 mail expedited fees for transcript requests beyond the included one official transcript
6. Soccer Academy Add-on: Soccer training and academy programs in partnership with MIFA and CF Internacional de Granada, priced from $12,595 to $14,595
7. Camino de Santiago Programs: 9-day pilgrimage hiking program at $1,995 or 33-day academic+camino program from $5,100-$5,895 plus tuition

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Arcos Learning Abroad provides study abroad programming for university students in four Spanish-speaking destinations (Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Spain), offering semester, summer, winter break, short-term, and academic year programs with credit-bearing coursework at accredited partner universities, homestay housing, excursions, and cultural immersion activities. The company also delivers faculty-led custom programs for universities, online Spanish classes, and specialized programs such as the Soccer Academy in Granada and Camino de Santiago pilgrimage programs. Programs are bundled as all-inclusive packages covering tuition, housing, meals, excursions, insurance, visa assistance, and transcript processing.

Product overview

Arcos Learning Abroad offers study abroad programming for university students and custom program services for universities. The core offerings include semester, summer, winter break, short-term, and academic year programs across four Latin American and European destinations (Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain). The product portfolio includes the main study abroad programs, Arcos Journeys (high school/gap year division), Online Learning, Soccer Academy Program, and Camino de Santiago Programs. Programs include academic coursework at partner universities, homestay housing, excursions, cultural activities, and comprehensive support services. The company also provides custom faculty-led programs for universities and online learning options for remote participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Arcos Journeys Abroad: High school summer study abroad programs for students 14-18 years of age. Part of the Arcos family of programs, providing global education community committed to positive change through transformative international education experiences.

Products and services

• Study Abroad Programs
• Custom Programs
• Arcos Journeys: High School & Gap Year Programs
• Online Learning
• Soccer Academy Program
• Camino de Santiago Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of students successfully completed study abroad programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers51 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Universidad de BelgranocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Primary academic partner in Argentina; accredited university where students earn transcripts; Ministry of Education accredited institution issuing credit-bearing coursework for study abroad programs
• ESEADE UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006School of Record partner for Academia Buenos Aires; provides alternate transcript issuance when needed for credit transfer to U.S. universities
• Academia Buenos AirescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Language institute partner in Buenos Aires offering Spanish courses and academic programs for study abroad students
• Universidad Politécnica InternacionalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Primary academic partner in Costa Rica; accredited institution offering technology and professional programs for Arcos students
• Universidad HispanoamericanasupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Partner university in San Jose, Costa Rica offering diverse academic programs for study abroad students
• Universidad Latina de Costa RicasupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Partner institution in Heredia, Costa Rica providing additional academic options for semester and short-term programs
• Universidad de Oaxaca Benito JúarezcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Primary academic partner in Mexico; public university in Oaxaca offering Spanish language and academic courses for study abroad
• Universidad MesoamericanasupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Private university partner in Oaxaca offering additional academic programs and course options for study abroad students
• Universidad de GranadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Premier public university in Granada, Spain; primary academic partner offering Spanish language, electives, and medical Spanish programs
• Instituto Mediterráneo Sol (iNMSOL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Cervantes Institute accredited language school in Granada; offers Spanish courses at all levels for study abroad programs; School of Record through MSUD
• Universidad Santiago de CompostelacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Historic public university in Galicia, Spain offering Medical Spanish and Clinical Practice programs for study abroad
• Metropolitan State University of DenvercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006U.S. School of Record for iNMSOL programs; validates academic credit and issues transcripts for Spanish study abroad courses
• International Student Insurance (Cigna Global)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides comprehensive international medical insurance coverage for all Arcos students; underwritten by Cigna Global with coverage including medical expenses, evacuation, and repatriation
• ScholarTripsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerStudent travel company partner providing flight booking assistance and Airfare Deposit Program allowing students to pay in installments
• GoAbroadsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for eSIM services providing international cellular data for students abroad; also platform partner for travel insurance and program directory listings
• My International Football Academy (MIFA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational soccer academy in Granada providing elite coaching and training for Soccer Academy program participants; serves both male and female players
• CF Internacional de Granada (CFIG)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal football club partner for Soccer Academy program providing training facilities and professional coaching in Granada, Spain
• The Forum on Education AbroadsupportingOthersIndustry organization membership demonstrating commitment to study abroad best practices and standards

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• WorldStrides: Much larger K-12 and university educational travel company with broad portfolio including study abroad, faculty-led programs, and global travel; competes for university partnership contracts at scale.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): Largest and oldest US study abroad provider with programs in 40+ cities globally, including direct competition in Spain and Latin America; operates broader portfolio with more resources and brand recognition.

Direct peers

• Academic Programs International (API): Mid-sized US study abroad provider offering semester, summer, and short-term programs across multiple countries including Spain, Latin America, and Europe with similar university partnership and credit-bearing course model.
• IES Abroad: Established non-profit study abroad provider operating semester and summer programs in 20+ cities including multiple Spanish-speaking locations, with similar credit-bearing coursework at partner universities and homestay options.
• Sol Education Abroad: Arcos's direct predecessor — same founding team ran Sol Education Abroad's university division from 2006 to 2020 before spinning off to form Arcos. Operates the same Spanish-language study abroad model and is essentially the closest comparable.
• SAI (Study Abroad Italy): Mid-sized study abroad provider with similar model: university partnership, credit-bearing programs, homestays, and program-length flexibility — strong comparable for operating model and size.
• International Studies Abroad (ISA): Direct competitor offering university study abroad programs in Latin America, Europe, and beyond with comparable pricing structure, university affiliation model, and program lengths (semester, summer, short-term).
• CET Academic Programs: Smaller, similarly-positioned study abroad provider focused on language and culture immersion with programs in Latin America and Europe, including credit-bearing coursework at local universities.
• USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium): Non-profit consortium of US universities offering study abroad programs with similar structure, including significant Spain and Latin America presence; comparable pricing and university partnership approach.

Others

• GoAbroad: Study abroad directory and marketplace platform where Arcos is listed as a Top Rated Provider; serves as both a marketing channel and a peer-comparison point for prospective students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@arcosabroad
• Facebookfacebook.com/arcosabroad
• Instagraminstagram.com/arcosabroad
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arcosabroad

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Arcos Learning Abroad