The Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, UCA) is a private Catholic university founded by the Argentine bishops, with its main campus in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires.[1][2] It reports 20,409 undergraduate and postgraduate students and 90 undergraduate programmes.[3] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it shares 530th place with Universidad Austral.[4]
Tuition is charged in Argentine pesos (ARS) in twelve payments a year (one enrolment fee and eleven instalments). Values valid from 1 October 2026 for the Buenos Aires campus range, among the programmes we read, from ARS 778,000 (Psychology) to ARS 1,535,000 (Medicine) per payment.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA) |
| Location | Buenos Aires, Argentina (Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1300, C1107AAZ); further campuses in Mendoza, Paraná and Rosario[5] |
| Type | Private Catholic university, founded by the Argentine Episcopate and given the title “Pontifical” by the Holy See[1] |
| Founded | 7 March 1958 (a first Catholic University of Buenos Aires existed from 1910 to 1922)[2] |
| Students | 20,409 undergraduate and postgraduate students (figure on the university’s home page, no year given); Wikipedia gives about 24,000[3] |
| Academic staff and graduates | 4,942 teachers and 112,722 graduates (same page, no year given)[3] |
| Programmes | 90 undergraduate programmes and more than 650 postgraduate and extension courses[3] |
| Faculties | 16 faculties: 10 in Buenos Aires, 1 in Mendoza, 1 in Paraná and 4 in Rosario[3] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | =530 (shared with Universidad Austral)[4] |
| Tuition, Buenos Aires campus, from 1 Oct 2026 | ARS 778,000 (Psychology) to ARS 1,535,000 (Medicine) per payment; 12 payments a year (1 enrolment fee and 11 instalments)[5] |
| Entry process fee, from 1 Oct 2026 | ARS 768,000 (Medicine) to ARS 1,583,000 (Industrial Engineering) among the programmes we read, paid once when you enrol[5] |
| Late payment surcharge | 7% a month since December 2024[6] |
| Documents for foreign applicants | Same as for Argentines; secondary studies completed abroad must be validated (convalidación or reválida)[7] |
| Official website | uca.edu.ar |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina
UCA was founded by the Argentine Episcopate and later honoured by the Holy See with the title “Pontifical”. It describes itself as an institution of the Church with academic autonomy.[1] According to Wikipedia, an earlier Catholic University of Buenos Aires was founded in 1910 and closed in 1922; the present university was formally founded on 7 March 1958. The Archbishop of Buenos Aires is its Grand Chancellor.[2]
The university works on four campuses (Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Paraná and Rosario); its Buenos Aires address is Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1300.[5] It reports 20,409 students, 4,942 teachers and 112,722 graduates on its home page, without stating the year of these figures.[3]
How is UCA ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 June 2026), UCA shares 530th place with Universidad Austral, according to Infobae. The aggregator xuanxiao lists UCA at 530 for 2027 and at 517 for 2026.[4][8] Another outlet, C5N, printed 517 for UCA and 560 for Universidad Austral; since 517 is UCA’s 2026 position on xuanxiao, we treat 530 as the 2027 result.[9] QS publishes its ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access, so we could not read QS directly.
Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at UCA?
UCA lists 90 undergraduate programmes and more than 650 postgraduate and extension courses.[3] The Buenos Aires campus offers, among others, Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Architecture, Psychology, Public Accountancy, several engineering degrees (civil, industrial, informatics, artificial intelligence, among others), communication, music and business programmes.[5]
The 10 faculties in Buenos Aires are Arts and Musical Sciences; Economic Sciences; Medical Sciences; Social Sciences; Law; Canon Law; Philosophy and Letters; Engineering and Agricultural Sciences; Psychology and Educational Psychology; and Theology. Mendoza (Humanities and Economic Sciences), Paraná (Teresa of Ávila) and Rosario (four faculties) have their own faculties.[3] The university also runs schools for business, innovation and technology, and politics and government.[3]
How much does UCA cost in 2026?
UCA charges in Argentine pesos (ARS). Each programme page of the Buenos Aires fee list shows two amounts: the entry process (“Proceso de Ingreso”) and the tuition (“Arancel”). The page states that the values apply from 1 October 2026 and may change. Students pay 12 times a year: one enrolment fee (matrícula) and 11 instalments.[5]
| Programme (Buenos Aires) | Entry process, once (ARS) | Tuition per payment (ARS) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology (Licenciatura) | 1,051,000 | 778,000 |
| Law (Abogacía) | 1,374,000 | 931,000 |
| Advertising and Institutional Communication | 1,463,000 | 1,029,000 |
| Public Accountancy | 1,506,000 | 1,077,000 |
| Industrial Engineering | 1,583,000 | 1,163,000 |
| Medicine | 768,000 | 1,535,000 |
The entry process includes an entrance course (where applicable), a cognitive evaluation and an accompaniment programme. For Public Accountancy the page says that ARS 536,000 of the entry payment is deducted once from the first enrolment fee.[5] The page does not state an annual total, and we found no separate rate for foreign students on it.[5]
Fees move quickly with inflation. A press report of February 2026 quoted ARS 751,000 for January 2026 for the Advertising and Institutional Communication degree; the official list shows ARS 1,029,000 from October 2026.[10][5] Payments fall due on the 10th of each month, and late payment carries a 7% monthly surcharge.[6] UCA offers scholarships and loans; see the university’s scholarship page.[6]
Costs of living in Buenos Aires are not included; see our Argentina guide.
How do you apply to UCA?
UCA offers an online pre-registration form.[5] Its page for new students (“Requisitos de inscripción y documentación”) lists what you need:[7]
- A photo of your DNI, front and back, or your passport.
- Payment of the registration fee.
- Later: proof that you are a regular secondary student, or your certificate of completed secondary studies (or a certificate that the degree is in process).
UCA states that the requirements are the same for foreign applicants. If you did not finish secondary school in Argentina, you must submit the validation (convalidación or reválida) of your earlier studies.[7] Exchange students are handled by the university’s international office, UCA Internacional.[3]
We give no dates here because they change every year. Check the programme page and the admissions contact before you start.
Which language level do you need?
The enrolment page we read names no Spanish test and no minimum level for foreign applicants.[7] The fee and enrolment pages we read are published in Spanish.[5] Ask the admissions office whether your programme requires a certificate such as SIELE or CELU before you book a test.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does UCA cost in 2026?
Is UCA free like the Argentine state universities?
Do foreign students pay different fees at UCA?
The Buenos Aires fee page lists one rate per programme and shows no separate rate for foreign students.[5] Confirm with the university if you apply from abroad.
What documents do I need to enrol?
A photo of your DNI or passport, payment of the registration right, and later your secondary-school certificate. Foreign applicants need the validation (convalidación or reválida) of secondary studies completed outside Argentina.[7]
How is UCA ranked?
=530 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, shared with Universidad Austral.[4]
More about studying in Argentina
- Argentina: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Argentina
- Buenos Aires Institute of Technology (ITBA)
- National University of Córdoba
- National University of La Plata
- University of Buenos Aires
Sources
[1] UCA: Nuestra Universidad (identity and mission) (page of 5 Nov 2026)
[2] Wikipedia: Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (history, founding date, chancellor)
[3] UCA: home page (“La UCA en números”, faculties, UCA Internacional) (page without a date; read on 7 Nov 2026)
[4] Infobae: Ranking QS, la UBA sigue entre las 100 mejores del mundo pero caen la mayoría de las universidades argentinas (article of 17 Jun 2026)
[5] UCA: Aranceles, sede Buenos Aires (values stated as valid from 1 Oct 2026; read on 7 Nov 2026)
[6] UCA: Pago de aranceles (page without a date; 2026 payment calendar)
[7] UCA: Información para ingresantes (page without a date)
[8] xuanxiao: Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (aggregator; QS 2027 #530, QS 2026 #517; page without a date)
[9] C5N: La UBA ratificó su lugar entre las 100 mejores universidades del mundo (article of 17 Jun 2026; gives different positions for UCA and Universidad Austral)
[10] iProfesional: Ranking de universidades más caras de Argentina y el valor de las cuotas (article of 15 Feb 2026; January 2026 fee)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.