What universidad del istmo (unis) does

Universidad del Istmo (UNIS) is a private Catholic-humanistic university founded in 2015 and headquartered at Km 19.2 Carretera a Fraijanes, Guatemala, with additional sites across Guatemala City including UNIS Business School (Zona 10), the Faculty of Architecture and Design (Edificio Américas, Zona 13), Centro Histórico, Design Center, and the Clínica UNIS Misha Maegli. The institution serves high-school graduates, working professionals, in-service teachers, and corporate continuing-education clients through seven faculties (Architecture and Design; Economic and Business Sciences; Law; Humanities; Communication; Engineering; and Health Sciences), a dedicated graduate business school (UNIS Business School), a virtual learning platform (UNIS Virtual), and B-Learning teacher training programs (Profesorados).

Academically, UNIS delivers roughly 20+ undergraduate programs, multiple master's and postgraduate specializations, and continuing-education offerings. Its core technology and platform components include the UNIS Virtual online learning environment, specialized labs and centers (CIDITex for textile industry innovation, CIHE for humanism and business, CIGE for corporate governance, CINDERE for regional development, Observatorio para las Ciudades for urban research, and Shopper Lab for consumer behavior), and the Museo UNIS Rozas-Botrán (MURB) — the world's first Campus-Museo established jointly with Fundación Rozas-Botrán in 2015. The proprietary FORHUM humanistic formation program runs across all 8 undergraduate semesters. International credentials include ACAAI accreditation (Architecture since 2010, Graphic Design since 2013, plus ACAAI Sello Verde for climate adaptation), ANECA quality certification (since 2014), and active participation in NIBS competitions.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition across undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, and continuing-education streams, supplemented by continuing-education, certification, and in-company training. Pricing is program-specific and not fully publicly disclosed, though 2026 tariff sheets exist for Architecture and Design; scholarships and alumni discounts (e.g., 40% at UNIS Business School) are available. Distribution is via direct on-campus enrollment, the UNIS Virtual self-serve channel, the Business School for executive audiences, and partnerships with 100+ schools for top-of-funnel recruitment. International mobility is enabled through exchange agreements with Universidad de Navarra, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad Católica de Chile, and Universidad Politécnica.

Name

universidad del istmo (unis)

Legal name

Universidad del Istmo

Website

https://unis.edu.gt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Universidad del Istmo (UNIS) is a private Catholic-humanistic university in Guatemala, founded 2015, offering undergraduate, graduate, online, and continuing education programs across seven faculties, with international accreditations and the world's first Campus-Museum concept.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pre-Departure Orientation, Re-Entry & Intercultural Training for Study Abroad (EDAIAAAH)

Keywords

• Private higher education
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate professional education
• Online university programs
• Continuing professional education

Headquarters

HQ city

Fraijanes

HQ country

Guatemala

HQ region

Latin America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate (Licenciatura) Tuition: Revenue generated from undergraduate degree programs across seven faculties. Tuition is fee-for-service, with pricing varying by program (e.g., Architecture and Design programs have published 2026 tariff sheets). Financial aid and scholarships are available.
2. Graduate and Postgraduate (Maestrías y Posgrados) Tuition: Graduate programs including MBAs, specialized master's, and postgraduate diplomas generate revenue. Programs include EMBA, MBA, DHD at UNIS Business School, as well as specialized master's in Architecture, Design, Law, Communications, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Education delivered in-person and virtually.
3. Continuing Education (Diplomados, Cursos Libres, Talleres, Certificaciones): Professional development programs open to both enrolled students and the general public, including short courses, workshops, certifications, and in-company training programs delivered online, in-person, and hybrid.
4. UNIS Virtual Online Programs: Distance learning arm offering virtual master's programs and online undergraduate options, generating revenue from students outside the traditional campus-based model.
5. Teacher Training Programs (Profesorados): Semi-presidential B-Learning teacher training programs (2-year duration, 2 Saturdays/month) for initial teacher certification, recognized by the Ministry of Education and CEPS.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Universidad del Istmo (UNIS) is a private Guatemalan university that delivers undergraduate degrees (Licenciaturas) across seven faculties, graduate master's and postgraduate diplomas, online programs via UNIS Virtual, executive business education through UNIS Business School (EMBA, MBA, DHD), B-Learning teacher training (Profesorados), and continuing education/corporate training. It also operates cultural and applied research assets including the world's first Campus-Museo (Museo UNIS Rozas-Botrán), the textile innovation center CIDITex, and the multidisciplinary Clínica UNIS Misha Maegli.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs (Licenciaturas) Bachelor's degree programs (Licenciaturas) across seven faculties—Architecture and Design, Economic and Business Sciences, Law, Humanities, Communication, Engineering, and Health Sciences—including Arquitectura, Administración de Empresas, Derecho Abogado y Notario, Psicología Clínica, Comunicación y Periodismo, Ingeniería Civil, Enfermería, and others. Targets recent high school graduates in Guatemala seeking internationally accredited undergraduate education with practical experience from year one.
• Graduate Master's and Postgraduate Programs (Maestrías y Posgrados) Specialized master's degrees and postgraduate diplomas across Architecture and Design, Health Sciences (Genetic Biomedicine, Pharmacovigilance, Bioinformatics), Law (Criminal Law, Corporate and Tax Law, International Contracting), Communication (Strategic Communication and Reputation), Engineering (Textile Engineering), and Humanities. Targets working professionals seeking advanced credentials with flexible evening, weekend, and online formats.
• UNIS Virtual Online Learning Programs Distance learning arm of UNIS offering virtual master's programs (Maestrías Virtuales) and online undergraduate options via the platform online.unis.edu.gt. Programs include Docencia Universitaria, Dirección Financiera, Marketing Digital, Ciberseguridad, Gestión del Talento Humano, and Neuropsicología Clínica. Targets remote learners and working professionals across Guatemala and the region.
• UNIS Business School Programs (MBA, EMBA, DHD) Specialized business school arm at Zona 10, Guatemala City, offering Executive MBA (EMBA), MBA, and Doctorado Honoris Causa / DHD programs. Targets working professionals and executives seeking advanced business education. Alumni UNIS graduates receive a 40% discount.
• Teacher Training Programs (Profesorados) B-Learning teacher training programs (2 Saturdays per month, 7:00-13:00 hrs, 2-year duration) for initial teacher certification in Early Childhood, Primary, and Secondary Education specialties. Recognized by Guatemala's Ministry of Education and CEPS. Delivered at Fraijanes and Centro Histórico campuses.
• Continuing Education (Diplomados, Cursos Libres, Talleres, Certificaciones) Professional development programs open to both enrolled UNIS students and the general public through Extensión Universitaria y Proyección Social (EUPS). Includes Diplomados (postgraduate diplomas), Cursos Libres (short courses), Talleres (workshops), Competencias y Certificaciones, and customized in-company training programs delivered online, in-person, and hybrid.
• Clínica UNIS Misha Maegli Multidisciplinary clinic offering Psychology, Nutrition, and Psychopedagogy services to the public at the 27 Avenida 27-45, Zona 5, Guatemala City location. Functions both as a service offering and as a practical training environment for UNIS students.
• CIDITex - Centro de Innovación y Desarrollo de la Industria Textil Textile industry innovation, education, and research center addressing productivity, automation, quality assurance, and environmental sustainability. Develops talent from operative to managerial levels for the Guatemalan textile sector (which represents 14% of national exports, $2.258 billion in 2022). Targets the apparel and textile industry through specialized training, certifications, and applied research.
• Licenciatura en Arquitectura with Double Degree (Doble Titulación) Architecture bachelor's program with double titulation (dual degree), the first of its kind in Guatemala through a 2026 partnership with Universidad Politécnica in Spain. Allows students to earn two recognized architecture degrees, combining ACAAI-accredited training with international credentials.
• Academia MikroTik UNIS (MTCNA Certification) Official MikroTik Academy offering the MTCNA certification, preparing students for telecommunications networking careers through the engineering faculty's electronics and telecommunications programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 out of 10 students secure employment before graduation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship, core and minor.

• Fundación JunkabalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2026UNIS and Fundación Junkabal signed four collaboration agreements in April 2026 to develop joint social projection and educational programs, including projects related to education and social inclusion.
• Universidad Politécnica (Madrid, Spain)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership announced in 2026 making UNIS the first university in Guatemala to offer a double-degree architecture program, allowing students to earn two recognized degrees in Architecture.
• Vestex (Asociación de Vestuario y Textil de Guatemala)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2023Vestex partnered with UNIS and Fundación KINAL to create CIDITex (Centro de Innovación y Desarrollo de la Industria Textil), a textile innovation center addressing talent development from operative to managerial levels, supporting Guatemala's textile industry which represents 14% of national exports ($2.258 billion in 2022).
• Fundación KINALcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2023Fundación KINAL partnered with UNIS and Vestex to form CIDITex, focusing on technical and operative training for the textile industry, complementing UNIS's higher education and management-level training.
• Fundación Rozas-BotránflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015In 2015, Fundación Rozas-Botrán partnered with UNIS to create the world's first Campus-Museo, establishing the Museo UNIS Rozas-Botrán (MURB) as a permanent, non-profit art museum integrated into the campus architecture. The museum houses modern and postmodern art collections and serves as a cultural/academic resource.
• Universidad de Navarra (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversidad de Navarra is a key international partner providing faculty for law postgraduate programs (Contratación Internacional, Derecho Corporativo y Tributario), student exchange opportunities, and academic collaboration. Exchange students from UNIS have studied at Navarra, including Architecture students on semester exchanges.
• Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating institution for the postgraduate program in Criminal Law (Posgrado en Derecho Penal) at UNIS, providing faculty and academic oversight.
• Universidad Católica de ChilecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaculty contributor to the Corporate and Tax Law postgraduate program at UNIS, complementing academics from Navarra and Madrid.
• Municipio de FraijanesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe municipality of Fraijanes collaborates with UNIS on the Inclusion Project in Fraijanes, developing a comprehensive clinical model for children with disabilities, including protocols, equipment, training, and institutional certification.
• Navarra Center for International Development (NCID)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCINDERE (Centro de Investigación para el Desarrollo Regional) is associated with NCID at Universidad de Navarra in Spain, generating applied research on economic and social policy for Guatemala and Central America.
• 100+ Schools Network (Partner Schools)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 100 schools (bilingual, international, public, private) and other universities are listed as recruitment partners in the UNIS admission process, serving as referral touchpoints for prospective students across Guatemala.
• NIBS (Network of International Business Schools)minorOthersNIBS organizes the annual worldwide undergraduate business case competition. UNIS FCEE students participate and won the 2026 competition in Canada, gaining international recognition.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Universidad Rafael Landívar: Private Catholic Guatemalan university with multi-faculty undergraduate and graduate programs, strong humanistic identity, and a similar mission-driven positioning. Closest direct competitor in the private Guatemalan higher-education market.
• Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG): Top-ranked private Guatemalan university offering multi-disciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs with strong emphasis on research and international accreditation. Direct competitor for premium students in Guatemala.
• Universidad Galileo: Private Guatemalan university with a strong technology, engineering, and health-sciences portfolio including online programs. Comparable to UNIS in scale and target student segments, especially for engineering and digital programs.
• Universidad Francisco Marroquín (UFM): Private Guatemalan university emphasizing liberal arts, economics, and a Western classical tradition; competes with UNIS for premium Guatemalan students seeking international-quality education.
• INCAE Business School: Top Central American business school offering MBA and executive programs with multiple campuses (Nicaragua, Costa Rica). Directly comparable to UNIS Business School for MBA/EMBA/DHD market in Central America.

Broad incumbents

• Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC): Guatemala's only public university and largest higher-education incumbent; competes on price rather than quality, but anchors the overall Guatemalan tertiary-education market against which private institutions like UNIS differentiate.
• Tecnológico de Monterrey: Large Mexican private university with multi-disciplinary undergraduate, graduate, and online programs across Latin America. Broad incumbent reference point for scale, online reach, and corporate partnerships in the region.

Emerging players

• Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR): Spanish online international university with broad graduate-program coverage in Spanish — the primary cross-border competitor for UNIS Virtual's online master's programs in Latin America.
• Universidad EAFIT: Private Colombian university with strong business school, engineering, and innovation programs; comparable emerging Latin American private university with similar international-accreditation trajectory and corporate engagement model.

Regional players

• Universidad del Norte (Uninorte): Private Colombian university with multi-disciplinary programs and strong industry partnerships; comparable in scale and positioning to UNIS, though operating in a different geography (Colombia vs. Guatemala).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/murbgt
• Facebookfacebook.com/unisgt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about universidad del istmo (unis)