Universities in Honduras

Universities in Honduras are part of a system that the Constitution places under the national university. Article 160 of the Constitution gives the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH) the exclusive power to organise, direct and develop higher and professional education. The UNAH's Dirección de Educación Superior (DES) coordinates the higher education system, and the Consejo de Educación Superior is its governing council; private universities operate within this framework.

Honduras is a Spanish-speaking country, so most degree programmes are designed for students who can study in Spanish. For international students the main attractions are specialised programmes, such as agricultural sciences, and lower costs than in North America.

How the system works

The UNAH is the oldest and largest institution. It was inaugurated on 19 September 1847 and won its autonomy on 15 October 1957. In 2026 it lists 157 study programmes and an enrolment of 74,911 students in its second academic period of the year. Besides teaching, it validates degrees and keeps statistics for the whole system through the DES.

Private universities have grown alongside the public sector. The Universidad de San Pedro Sula (USAP) states that it was the first private university in Honduras, founded in 1977. Undergraduate degrees are usually a licenciatura or an engineering degree (ingeniería); USAP, for example, lists its programmes over 12 academic periods. Postgraduate study includes master's degrees (maestría) and, at some institutions, doctorates.

Universities on SpainExchange

The two universities listed here show how different Honduran institutions can be:

• The Universidad de San Pedro Sula, in the country's main business city, offers 32 programmes in engineering, technology, business and other areas, including law and industrial engineering. It describes its model as bilingual and works with Arizona State University (ASU): through a 4+1 programme, USAP students can complete up to 40% of an ASU master's degree during their bachelor's and finish it in one extra year, online or in the United States
• Universidad Zamorano (Escuela Agrícola Panamericana) is a residential university in the Yeguare valley, 30 km from Tegucigalpa on the road to Danlí. It teaches agronomy, food agroindustry, agribusiness and agro-environmental engineering through its "learning by doing" programme, and offers master's degrees such as Agribusiness and Coffee Growing and Business

Admission and recognition

Admission is handled by each university. USAP, for example, asks first-year applicants for the original secondary school diploma and a birth certificate, plus a transcript for students transferring from another university. International applicants should check how their school diploma is legalised (apostille or consular authentication) before applying.

Degrees obtained abroad are recognised in Honduras through the DES. It accepts foreign degrees from recognised or accredited institutions with at least 60 credits and a minimum length of a year and a half. Diplomas and transcripts must be apostilled or authenticated and translated if they are not in Spanish. The DES refers applicants to the World Higher Education Database (whed.net) to check whether a foreign institution is recognised.

Accreditation also varies. Zamorano, for example, reports that it has been found eligible to continue the initial accreditation process with the US WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), which it states is not yet final accreditation, and that its food agroindustry degree meets the undergraduate standards of the Institute of Food Technologists.

Costs and funding

Fees differ widely between public and private universities. At the private end, Zamorano lists an all-inclusive annual price of US$24,100 for 2027, which covers accommodation, meals, health insurance, a laptop and international internships. The UNAH offers grants and student loans to its own students, and Zamorano runs scholarship programmes funded by donors.

How to choose

Start with the subject and the language. Agricultural and food sciences are a specialty of Zamorano, while USAP focuses on engineering, technology and business. Check whether teaching is in Spanish, what English support there is, and whether a degree is recognised in the country where you plan to work. Living arrangements also differ: Zamorano is a residential campus outside the capital, while USAP is a city university in San Pedro Sula.

Frequently asked questions

Who regulates universities in Honduras?

Under Article 160 of the Constitution, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras organises and directs higher education. Its Dirección de Educación Superior coordinates the system and the Consejo de Educación Superior governs it.

How much does a private university in Honduras cost?

It depends on the institution. Zamorano lists US$24,100 a year for 2027, including accommodation, meals and health insurance.

Can I have a foreign degree recognised in Honduras?

Yes. The DES of the UNAH recognises degrees from accredited foreign institutions with at least 60 credits and a year and a half of study, with apostilled or authenticated documents and a Spanish translation.

Can I earn a US degree while studying in Honduras?

At USAP, the 4+1 programme with Arizona State University lets students take up to 40% of an ASU master's during their bachelor's and finish it in one more year, online or in the US.