About the university

The Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) is a large public state university headquartered in Mexicali, with additional campuses in Tijuana, Ensenada and other cities of Baja California. Founded in 1957, it enrolls more than 60,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, health sciences, oceanography, business, social sciences, education, arts and humanities. The university is recognized for its research output and regional impact on the US–Mexico border, especially in marine sciences and environmental studies. UABC offers modern laboratories, libraries, cultural centers and extensive sports facilities and promotes community service, international exchange and applied research linked to industry and government.

Key information

• Location: Mexicali, MX
• Ranking #1201
• QS #1201
• THE #1501
• National ranking #14
• Institution type: public

Popular faculties

• Faculty Of Engineering
• Faculty Of Medicine
• Faculty Of Dentistry
• Faculty Of Nursing
• Faculty Of Oceanography
• Faculty Of Administrative And Social Sciences
• Faculty Of Law
• Faculty Of Humanities And Arts

Programs (29)

• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Business Administration
• Economics
• Finance and Accounting
• Marketing
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Law
• Political Science
• International Relations
• Philosophy
• History
• Linguistics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Environmental Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Education
• Fine Arts
• Music

Student body

• Total students: 67,900
• International students: 3%

Campus life

Campus life at UABC in Mexicali takes place on large urban campuses with classrooms, laboratories, libraries, sports complexes and cultural venues. Students participate in academic conferences, cultural festivals, concerts and community outreach activities organized by faculties and student organizations. The desert climate of Mexicali makes indoor facilities and evening events especially important, while the proximity to the US border creates opportunities for binational projects and exchanges. Student services offer academic advising, psychological support, health care and career guidance to help students progress and connect with employers.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: $250 - $600 / per month

Housing options

• Private apartments near campus
• Shared student houses
• Rooms for rent in local families
• University-affiliated residences with limited capacity
• Short-term hostels and budget hotels for exchange students

Student clubs and organizations

• Student councils
• Academic societies by program
• Cultural and arts groups
• Music and theatre clubs
• Environmental and volunteer organizations
• Entrepreneurship and business clubs

Sports

• Football
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Athletics
• Baseball
• Soccer futsal teams
• Swimming and fitness groups

Career & internships

Employment rate: 80%

Partner companies

• Manufacturing companies in Mexicali and Baja California
• Maquiladora and export industries
• Hospitals and health care institutions
• Public schools and educational centers
• Government agencies of Baja California and municipalities
• Service and logistics companies
• Binational organizations and companies on the US–Mexico border

Internships: The Autonomous University of Baja California maintains strong ties with companies, hospitals, schools, research centers and government agencies in Mexicali and other cities of the state. Many programs require students to complete professional practice or social service, during which they work under supervision in real organizations and often secure employment offers. UABC’s career and placement offices manage job boards, internship agreements and recruitment events with local and cross-border employers. Some faculties run binational projects that allow students to gain experience in US institutions or companies through short internships and collaborative research.

Admission requirements

Required documents

• Online application form
• High school certificate or previous degree with official transcripts
• Valid identification or passport
• Entrance examination results from UABC admission system
• Proof of payment of application and examination fees
• Photos
• Proof of Spanish language proficiency for non-native speakers
• Additional documents required by the selected faculty

Minimum GPA: 3

Tuition costs

• $500 - $2,500 / per year
• Acceptance rate: 65.00%
• Scholarships available: As a public Mexican university, UABC participates in federal and state scholarship programs such as maintenance grants, excellence scholarships and social support for low-income students. The university also offers its own institutional scholarships for academic merit, sports performance and cultural activities, and coordinates external funding from organizations like Banco de México and regional companies. Some faculties manage specific grants for research assistants or community service projects. International students may be eligible for mobility or exchange scholarships through bilateral agreements and government programs on both sides of the border.

Quick facts

• Founded: 1957
• Teaching languages: Spanish, english, spanish
• Study formats: offline

Contact

• Website: https://www.uabc.mx
• mailto:[email protected]
• +52 686 841 8200