Universidad Santa Paula

What Universidad Santa Paula does

Universidad Santa Paula (U. S. P Universidad Santa Paula S.A.) is a privately-held Costa Rican university founded circa 1993, headquartered in Curridabat, San José, with ~196 employees including 150+ continuously trained teaching professionals. The institution is the only university in Costa Rica exclusively dedicated to health sciences education and positions itself as a regional pioneer across Central America and the Caribbean. Its academic portfolio spans six undergraduate bachelor's programs (Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, Audiology, Emergency Medicine), ten master's programs, three executive master's, three technical programs, six CertiHealthUSP professional certifications, continuing education courses, and AHA/NAEMT medical certifications.

The operating platform combines on-campus instruction at the Curridabat campus with virtual delivery through Canvas LMS, Moodle LMS, Microsoft Teams, and Office 365, supporting an 80% virtual / 20% in-person semi-presidential format for graduate programs. Specialized clinical infrastructure includes a Simulation Center and laboratories for the therapy disciplines, a Scientific Ethics Committee (CEC-USP) accredited by CONIS, the IIDCA research institute, and the indexed Revista Terapéutica scientific journal.

Revenue is generated through tuition across degree programs (Bachillerato and Licenciatura), graduate and executive master's programs, technical programs, and micro-credentials, supplemented by short continuing education courses priced at approximately ₡20,000 (~$35 USD) per course. Payment options include cash, internal installment financing, CONAPE national education loans, and Credomatic 0%-interest plans. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the website, WhatsApp, social media, and admissions field sales, supplemented by enterprise convenios for corporate employee education and by community outreach through the TCU (Trabajo Comunal Universitario) and international programs via IAO. Distribution covers Costa Rica domestically and extends regionally to Central America and the Caribbean.

Name

Universidad Santa Paula

Legal name

U. S. P UNIVERSIDAD SANTA PAULA S.A.

Website

https://usantapaula.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Universidad Santa Paula is a private Costa Rican university, founded in 1993, exclusively specialized in health sciences education, serving undergraduate, graduate, and working-professional students in Costa Rica and the wider Central American and Caribbean region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Health Sciences Higher Education

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Health sciences education
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Physical therapy training
• Respiratory therapy programs
• Higher education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Curridabat

HQ country

Costa Rica

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Enrollment Fees: Revenue from undergraduate degree programs (Bachillerato, Licenciatura), graduate programs (Maestrías), technical programs, and executive masters. Payment options include upfront cash payment, installment plans, and financing through CONAPE national education loan program or internal Santa Paula financing.
2. Graduate and Master Programs: Revenue from specialized master's programs including Palliative Care, Audiology, Gerontology, Psycho-oncology, Early Stimulation, Emergency Management, Physical Therapy specializations, and Social Work. These programs typically have higher tuition rates reflecting advanced specialization.
3. CertiHealthUSP Certifications: Short-duration micro-credential certifications in health sciences including Psycho-oncology, Child Neurodevelopment, Substance Use Disorders, Sleep Breathing Disorders, Healthy Lifestyle Medicine, Therapeutic Exercise for Elderly. These provide recurring professional development revenue.
4. Continuing Education Courses: Revenue from short courses, workshops, specialization courses, free courses, and AHA/NAEMT medical certification courses. Events like 'Estrategias para el autocontrol' at ₡20,000 per course.
5. Interest-Free Financing (Tasa 0 Credomatic): Partnership revenue through Credomatic installment financing with 0% interest, generating transaction fees from student payment plans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Universidad Santa Paula is a private Costa Rican university that exclusively delivers higher education in health sciences. Its core offerings include six undergraduate degrees (Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, Audiology, and Emergency Medicine), ten master's programs, three executive master's, three technical programs, and six CertiHealthUSP short-duration certifications. The university enrolls individual students on a tuition-and-fee basis, combining on-campus instruction with hybrid/semi-presidential virtual delivery supported by Canvas LMS, Moodle, and Microsoft Teams.

Product overview

Universidad Santa Paula is a specialized health sciences university in Costa Rica with 31 years of trajectory, offering a comprehensive educational portfolio organized into degree programs (6 undergraduate programs in Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, Audiology, Emergency Medicine), 10 master's programs, 3 executive master's programs, 3 technical programs, and CertiHealthUSP professional certifications. The institution operates virtual learning infrastructure (Canvas LMS, Moodle LMS, Teams, Office 365) and research units (IIDCA, CEC ethics committee, Revista Terapéutica journal). The academic offering is unique in Central America and the Caribbean, with several programs being the only ones of their kind in the region, and multiple programs accredited by SINAES.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Carreras de Grado (Undergraduate Degree Programs) Six undergraduate degree programs in health sciences (Bachillerato/Licenciatura): Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, Audiology, and Emergency Medicine (prehospitalary). Accredited by SINAES and focused on rehabilitation and therapeutic interventions across the lifespan. Designed for prospective students seeking accredited health sciences careers in Costa Rica.
• Maestría en Cuidados Paliativos 15-month semi-presidential master's program (80% virtual, 20% intensive in-person) training health professionals in comprehensive end-of-life care. First palliative care master's in Costa Rica approved by CONESUP. Designed for licensed healthcare professionals seeking advanced specialization while continuing to work.
• Maestría en Audiología 16-month master's program training audiologists in diagnostic, rehabilitation, and intervention services for pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations with hearing and vestibular disorders. Targets licensed health professionals seeking advanced audiology specialization.
• Maestrías y Posgrados (Master's and Postgraduate Programs) Portfolio of 10 master's programs in specialized health fields including Clinical Social Work, Early Stimulation, Emergency and Disaster Management, Gerontology, Psycho-oncology, Physical Therapy specializations (Sports, Neurological, Elderly Rehabilitation), Palliative Care, and Audiology. Semi-presidential format (80% virtual, 20% in-person intensive) for working healthcare professionals.
• CertiHealthUSP (Certificaciones Profesionales) Professional certification unit offering short-duration (approximately 6-month) micro-credentials for licensed health professionals. Six certifications available: Psycho-oncology, Child Neurodevelopment, Substance Use Intervention, Sleep Disorder Management, Therapeutic Exercise for Elderly, and Lifestyle Medicine. Flexible virtual and hybrid formats available.
• Técnicos Universitarios (Technical Programs) Three 10-month modular technical programs: Gerontological Assistant with Cognitive Impairment Emphasis, Physical Conditioning Instructor, and Child Assistance Technician. Hybrid modality combining theory and supervised practice requirements, designed for immediate workforce entry in specialized healthcare support roles.
• Másters Ejecutivos (Executive Master's Programs) Three executive master's programs designed for working professionals: Healthy Lifestyles (behavioral transformation), Innovation and Health Management, and Innovation and Leadership in University Teaching. Short-duration executive format with flexible scheduling for working professionals.
• Cursos de Educación Continua (Continuing Education Courses) Short courses, workshops, specialization courses, and free courses for ongoing professional development in health sciences topics. Priced on a pay-as-you-go basis at approximately ₡20,000 per course (approximately $35 USD). Examples include 'Estrategias para el autocontrol y autorregulación' and 'Herramientas de manejo el niño con TEA'.
• Cursos AHA y NAEMT (Medical Certification Courses) American Heart Association (AHA) and NAEMT medical certification courses (CPR and emergency cardiovascular care) for Medical Emergencies students and graduates seeking internationally recognized professional credentials.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92.2% employment rate for Occupational Therapy graduates (OLaP study)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• CONIS (Consejo Nacional de Investigación en Salud)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014National biomedical research ethics committee that provides researcher accreditation for faculty and students. University established CEC-USP (Scientific Ethics Committee) to comply with Law 9234 regulating biomedical research. The partnership enables compliant research and graduate research projects.
• SINAES (Sistema Nacional de Acreditación de la Educación Superior)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational higher education accreditation system that accredits health sciences programs. Physical Therapy and Respiratory Therapy programs have achieved and maintained SINAES accreditation, demonstrating quality standards.
• World PhysiotherapycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational global organization for physical therapy. All graduates of the College of Therapists of Costa Rica automatically become members, providing international recognition and professional mobility for Physical Therapy graduates.
• WFOT (World Federation of Occupational Therapists)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational federation for occupational therapy. The university's Occupational Therapy program has been admitted to WFOT network, enabling international recognition of degrees and professional mobility.
• Asociación Costarricense de Medicina Paliativa y Medicina del DolorcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional association for Palliative Care and Pain Medicine in Costa Rica. Palliative Care master's graduates can associate with this guild for professional development and networking.
• Asociación Latinoamericana de Cuidado PaliativoregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLatin American Palliative Care Association providing regional professional connections and continuing education opportunities for Palliative Care graduates.
• Asociación Internacional de Hospicios y Cuidado Paliativo (IHOPC)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational association of Hospices and Palliative Care based in Houston. Provides international professional development opportunities and networking for graduates.
• AHA (American Heart Association)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmerican Heart Association providing CPR and emergency cardiovascular care certifications. Medical Emergencies graduates can opt for AHA certification to enhance professional credentials.
• NAEMT (National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS-based association for emergency medical technicians. Medical Emergencies graduates can obtain NAEMT certifications for international professional recognition.
• Colegio de Terapeutas de Costa RicacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational professional association for therapists. All graduates from Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Audiology programs must register with this college for professional practice.
• Colegio de Médicos de Costa Rica (Tecnólogos chapter)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational medical association with chapter for technologists. Medical Emergencies graduates register with this college for professional licensing and practice.
• ASOTREPP (Asociación de Terapeutas Respiratorios de empleados Públicos y Privados de Costa Rica)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational association for respiratory therapists in public and private employment. Provides professional development, networking, and advocacy for respiratory therapy graduates.
• SOLACUR (Sociedad Latinoamericana de Cuidado Respiratorio)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLatin American Society of Respiratory Care providing regional professional connections, conferences, and continuing education for respiratory therapy graduates.
• ACOA (Asociación Costarricense de Audiología)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCosta Rican Audiology Association for professional networking, continuing education, and advocacy for Audiology graduates.
• Centro Costarricense de Educación Parauniversitaria (CCEP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCosta Rican Center for Para-university Education network member, collaborating on educational initiatives and quality standards.
• CONESUP (Consejo Nacional de Enseñanza Superior Privada)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational council for private higher education that approved the Palliative Care Master's as the first master's program in Costa Rica in this specialty. Provides regulatory oversight and program authorization.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Universidad Hispanoamericana: Costa Rican private university providing health sciences and therapy programs; competes for Costa Rican students seeking private, applied health degrees with flexible schedules.
• Universidad Fidélitas: Costa Rican private university offering health-related programs including Physical Therapy and other rehabilitation sciences. Targets similar working-professional and recent-graduate segments in the Greater San José area.
• Universidad Latina de Costa Rica: Largest private university in Costa Rica offering a broad portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs including health sciences. Directly competes with USP for Costa Rican students seeking private higher education, though with a wider (non-specialized) catalog.
• Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE): Major Costa Rican private university with health sciences programs including medicine, psychology, and therapy disciplines. Competes head-to-head with USP in Costa Rica's private higher-education market and has comparable international accreditations.
• Universidad Autónoma de Centro América (UACA): Private Costa Rican university with health sciences offerings, competing for the same undergraduate tuition-paying students and operating a similar hybrid/extension learning model in the San José metro.

Broad incumbents

• Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (UNA): Major public Costa Rican university offering health sciences programs at significantly lower tuition. Serves as the public-sector benchmark that USP's private differentiated offering must justify through specialized programs and service quality.
• Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC): Leading Costa Rican public technological university. Overlaps with USP on technical/technology-flavored health sciences training and competes for top Costa Rican students seeking STEM-aligned applied degrees.

Emerging players

• Universidad del Rosario: Colombian private university with a strong health sciences school including therapy and rehabilitation programs. A useful Latin American peer for benchmarking specialized health-sciences university positioning and accreditation strategy.

Others

• INCAE Business School: Regional (Central American) higher-education institution focused on graduate business education. Comparable as a Costa Rica-anchored, internationally-accredited private institution targeting working professionals, though operating in a different discipline.

Regional players

• ULACIT (Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología): Costa Rican private university offering health and technology programs with hybrid modalities. Closely comparable operating model and target audience within the same Costa Rican market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UniversidadSantaPaula
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/universidad-santa-paula
• Instagraminstagram.com/usantapaula

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Santa Paula