30 cheapest universities in Chile in 2026
The most affordable universities in Chile, ranked by minimum bachelor fees. Ideal for optimising your study budget.
Lowest fee
1,100,000 CLP/yr
Price range
30 universities ranked by increasing fees
No. 1Universidad de Antofagasta
Public university in Chile's Great North, recognized for its medicine and geosciences programs.
No. 2Universidad Santo Tomás (UST)
Private Chilean university with a nationwide campus network, strongly focused on health and applied professions.
No. 3Universidad de Magallanes
Public university in Punta Arenas, gateway to Chilean Patagonia and Antarctica.
No. 4Universidad de Atacama
Public university in Copiapó, in the Atacama Desert, closely tied to the mining industry.
No. 5Universidad Católica del Maule (UCM)
Catholic private university in Talca, known for accessible health and engineering programs.
No. 6Universidad Arturo Prat
Public university in Iquique, the Atacama Desert's free port, oriented toward the sea and mining.
No. 7Universidad Autónoma de Chile
Private university with campuses in Talca, Santiago and Temuco, known for health sciences and law.
No. 8Universidad de Playa Ancha
Public university in Valparaíso, strong in education, arts, communication and humanities.
No. 9Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación (UMCE)
Public university in Santiago specialized in teacher training and education sciences.
No. 10Universidad UNIACC
Private Santiago university specialized in arts, communication and audiovisual creation, a pioneer of online education.
No. 11Universidad de Los Lagos
Public university in Osorno, among southern Chile's lakes and volcanoes, strong in aquatic sciences.
No. 12Universidad Gabriela Mistral (UGM)
Private Santiago university with a liberal humanist heritage, known for economics and its international MBA.
No. 13Universidad de O'Higgins
Public university in Rancagua, at the heart of the O'Higgins wine and mining region.
No. 14Universidad de Tarapacá
Public university in Arica, Chile's northernmost, on the border with Peru.
No. 15Universidad de Aysén
Young public university in Coyhaique, Chilean Patagonia, dedicated to southern territories.
No. 16Universidad de Las Américas (UDLA)
Private Santiago university providing broad access to higher education at affordable tuition rates.
No. 17Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana (UTEM)
Public university in Santiago dedicated to technology, applied engineering and industry.
No. 18Universidad de Chile
Chile's oldest and most prestigious public university, founded in 1842, a symbol of national excellence.
No. 19Universidad de Valparaíso
Public university in the port city of Valparaíso, known for its law school and marine sciences.
No. 20Universidad de Talca
Public university in the Maule region, recognized for excellence in law, engineering and forestry sciences.
No. 21Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC)
Catholic university in Santiago, consistently ranked first in Chile and among the best in Latin America.
No. 22Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV)
Prestigious Catholic university in Valparaíso, founded in 1928, strong in engineering and marine sciences.
No. 23Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (UTFSM)
Elite university in Valparaíso, founded by a philanthropic bequest, legendary for its engineering programs.
No. 24Universidad San Sebastián (USS)
Major private Chilean university renowned for its health programs and nationwide campus network.