Universidad Central Del Caribe

What Universidad Central Del Caribe does

Universidad Central del Caribe (UCC) is a private, nonprofit health sciences university incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and located in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 1976 as the Cayey School of Medicine and renamed in 1978, UCC was the first private medical school established in Puerto Rico. The institution delivers five core academic programs: a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, a four-year Doctorate in Chiropractic (DC), a Medical Imaging Technology program offering associate, bachelor, and post-associate certificates, a Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences conferring MS, MA, and PhD degrees, and a Substance Abuse Counseling program offering post-baccalaureate certificates and a Master of Health Sciences. It also runs graduate medical education through an Internal Medicine Residency Program and an ACGME-accredited Addiction Medicine Fellowship.

UCC's operations are anchored in a campus physically integrated into Hospital Universitario Dr. Ramón Ruiz Arnau (HURRA) since 1990, supplemented by the Northwestern Academic Health Center network of clinical affiliates used for student rotations. Revenue derives from tuition and fees across its academic portfolio, federal Title IV student aid (Pell Grants, Direct Loans, VA benefits), federal research and training grants (notably HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education funding), FEMA disaster recovery funds (FEMA 4339-DR-PR for Hurricane María reconstruction), and fees from affiliated clinical service sub-brands: CONTIGO Behavioral Community Clinical Center (mental health), CUMIC (pain management), IRESA (addiction services), EducaPro (continuing education), and the Emergency Response Training Center (BLS/ACLS/PALS). The Learning and Information Resources Center (LIRC) provides centralized library, IT, and educational technology services, including Elentra LMS and ExamSoft.

The institution holds full institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE, reaffirmed 2009) and full program accreditation for the MD degree from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). It was the first institution in Puerto Rico authorized to offer a PhD in Neuroscience (2010). UCC markets primarily through its website, Instagram (@uccaribe), alumni newsletters, and research expos such as the UCC Interdisciplinary Health & COVID-19 Research Expo. Match Day 2025 placed 59% of graduating medical students into Puerto Rico residency programs and 41% into U.S. mainland programs at institutions including Mount Sinai, Columbia, Brown, Cleveland Clinic, University of Virginia, SUNY, and University of Miami.

Name

Universidad Central Del Caribe

Legal name

Universidad Central del Caribe, Inc.

Website

https://uccaribe.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Universidad Central del Caribe is a private nonprofit health sciences university in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, operating since 1976. It offers accredited MD, Chiropractic, Medical Imaging, Biomedical Sciences, and Substance Abuse Counseling programs, plus affiliated clinical service brands and graduate medical education, serving students across Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Health Sciences Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) (EDAHAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD)

Keywords

• Health sciences education
• Medical degree programs
• Graduate medical training
• Biomedical sciences research
• Healthcare workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Bayamón, Puerto Rico

HQ country

Puerto Rico

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, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: UCC generates revenue primarily through student tuition and fees for its academic programs including Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Chiropractic, Medical Imaging Technology, Biomedical Sciences, and Substance Abuse Counseling at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.
2. Federal Student Financial Aid: UCC participates in federal student aid programs including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and VA educational benefits (Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, 1606-1607), with the Registrar's Office certifying enrollment through the VA system.
3. Federal Grants and FEMA Funding: UCC receives federal funding for research and infrastructure recovery, including FEMA grants for Hurricane María recovery projects (FEMA 4339-DR-PR) and HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education grants for scholarship programs.
4. Institutional Scholarships: UCC operates its own scholarship program for students, including stipends for substance abuse counseling programs funded by HRSA grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Universidad Central Del Caribe is a private health sciences university delivering accredited undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degree programs in Medicine, Chiropractic, Medical Imaging Technology, Biomedical Sciences, and Substance Abuse Counseling, alongside graduate medical training through an Internal Medicine Residency and Addiction Medicine Fellowship. The institution supplements its academic offerings with clinical service lines (CONTIGO mental health, CUMIC pain management, IRESA addiction services), emergency life-support training (ERTC), and continuing education (EducaPro) for health professionals and the community.

Product overview

Universidad Central del Caribe is a private health sciences university in Puerto Rico offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs and healthcare services. The institution operates as a platform-based educational model with five core schools/colleges (School of Medicine, School of Chiropractic, Medical Imaging Technology Program, Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, and Substance Abuse Counseling Program) supported by specialized clinical services (CONTIGO mental health, CUMIC pain management, IRESA addiction services, ERTC emergency training) and infrastructure (LIRC library and technology center). Programs range from undergraduate certificates to doctoral degrees, with notable accreditation from MSCHE and LCME.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CONTIGO: CONTIGO Behavioral Community Clinical Center - Mental health services
• CUMIC
• EducaPro
• ERTC
• IRESA

Products and services

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program - School of Medicine Four-year medical degree program with full LCME accreditation, preparing students for medical residency and clinical practice through clinical rotations at the Northwestern Academic Health Center.
• Doctorate in Chiropractic - School of Chiropractic Doctoral program in chiropractic medicine training students in evidence-based diagnostic and treatment techniques for neuromusculoskeletal conditions, with supervised clinical practice.
• Medical Imaging Technology Program Offers Associate Degree in Radiologic Technology, Bachelor of Science in Medical Images, and Post-Associate Certificates in Mammography, Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound, Computerized Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance.
• Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences Master of Science, Master of Arts, PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology, and PhD in Neuroscience programs with research training in biomedical sciences.
• Substance Abuse Counseling Program Post-Baccalaureate Certificate and Master of Health Sciences in Substance Abuse Counseling with internship placements, supported by HRSA grant #G02HP27970 scholarships and stipends.
• Internal Medicine Residency Program Graduate medical education program providing clinical training in the internal medicine specialty, supporting physician workforce development.
• Addiction Medicine Fellowship One-year clinical fellowship with advanced training in addiction medicine, accredited by ACGME, preparing physicians for clinical and academic careers in addiction medicine.
• CONTIGO Behavioral Community Clinical Center Mental health services provided to the community through clinical psychological services.
• CUMIC Pain Management Clinic Pain management clinical services offered to patients in the community.
• IRESA Addiction Services Addiction services providing treatment and support for individuals and families affected by substance use disorders.
• Emergency Response Training Center (ERTC) Certification training in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) for healthcare professionals.
• EducaPro Continuing Education Continuing education services for healthcare professionals and community members.

Quantifiable outcome

• 59% of medical students matched to Puerto Rico residency programs, 41% to US programs including top institutions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Mount Sinai (New York)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Medical students matched to residency programs at Mount Sinai, New York as part of post-graduation placement outcomes.
• Columbia UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Medical students matched to residency programs at Columbia University as part of post-graduation placement outcomes.
• Brown UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Medical students matched to residency programs at Brown University as part of post-graduation placement outcomes.
• Cleveland ClinicsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Medical students matched to residency programs at Cleveland Clinic as part of post-graduation placement outcomes.
• University of MiamisupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Medical students matched to residency programs at University of Miami as part of post-graduation placement outcomes.
• University of VirginiasupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Medical students matched to residency programs at University of Virginia as part of post-graduation placement outcomes.
• SUNY Health Science CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Medical students matched to residency programs at SUNY Health Science Center as part of post-graduation placement outcomes.
• Hospital Universitario Dr. Ramón Ruiz Arnau (HURRA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Primary teaching hospital and clinical training site integrated into UCC campus since 1990, serving as the main facility for medical education and clinical rotations.
• Recinto de Ciencias MédicassupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Puerto Rico medical institution where UCC graduates matched for residency training in specialties including Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, Internal Medicine, and others.
• Puerto Rico Science TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Puerto Rico Science Trust for research events including the UCC Interdisciplinary Health & Covid-19 Research Expo, supporting student research presentations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Ross University School of Medicine: Ross University School of Medicine is a Caribbean-based MD program that competes with UCC for US-domiciled and international applicants, particularly students seeking LCME-equivalent pathways to US residency, but is based in a different Caribbean geography.
• American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine: AUC School of Medicine is a Caribbean-based MD program with a similar applicant profile to UCC, offering an alternative pathway to US medical residency but operating in a different Caribbean jurisdiction.
• St. George's University: St. George's University operates a large Caribbean MD program with established US clinical affiliations, serving as a comparable alternative pathway to medical licensure for applicants who might otherwise consider UCC.

Direct peers

• Universidad Carlos Albizu: Universidad Carlos Albizu is a private, non-profit university headquartered in Puerto Rico with strong graduate-level behavioral health, psychology, and health sciences programs, overlapping UCC's behavioral health and biomedical sciences offerings in the same geography.
• Ponce Health Sciences University: Ponce Health Sciences University is a private health sciences university in Puerto Rico offering MD, Biomedical Sciences, and clinical psychology programs with LCME and MSCHE accreditation — the closest direct comparator to UCC within the Puerto Rico private medical school market.
• Universidad Ana G. Méndez: Universidad Ana G. Méndez is a large private, non-profit university system in Puerto Rico with multiple campuses including health sciences programs, making it a comparable private non-profit higher education competitor serving the same regional student market.
• Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico: Inter American University of Puerto Rico is a large private, non-profit university system with health sciences programs including nursing and medical imaging, competing for the same Puerto Rico student pool as UCC with broader program breadth.

Emerging players

• Universidad del Sagrado Corazón: Universidad del Sagrado Corazón is a private, non-profit university in Puerto Rico with selected health sciences offerings, serving as a smaller, more focused regional peer in the private PR higher education ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto de Ciencias Médicas: UPR Recinto de Ciencias Médicas is the public medical sciences campus in Puerto Rico and a primary residency placement destination for UCC graduates, serving as the dominant public-sector medical education incumbent in the same geography.
• Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine: FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine is a public US medical school with a comparable focus on training physicians for diverse and underserved communities, providing a US-mainland comparator for student outcomes and Match Day placement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/uccaribe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uccaribe

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Universidad Central Del Caribe