Tecnológico de Monterrey
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
Mexico's private non-profit university network: 26 campuses, rolling admission via the PAA and scholarships up to 100%.
- Students
- 90,000
- 54,762 undergraduates
- Founded
- 1943
- QS World Ranking
- #188
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
About Tec de Monterrey
Tecnológico de Monterrey (Tec) was founded in 1943 by industrialist Eugenio Garza Sada and is a private, non-profit institution. It has grown into a national network: in 2023 it reported 26 campuses in 33 cities across 20 Mexican states, plus 8 international offices, with about 90,000 students, including 54,762 undergraduates, 27,832 in its PrepaTec high schools and 6,992 graduate students.
The flagship Campus Monterrey sits beneath the Cerro de la Silla in Nuevo León, and other campuses include Mexico City, Guadalajara, Querétaro and Chihuahua. Undergraduate programmes range from business, finance and marketing (several taught in English) to engineering, architecture, biotechnology and a Medical Doctor programme; high-demand majors have limited places at some campuses. Teaching is organised in national schools, including Business, Engineering and Sciences, and Medicine and Health Sciences.
Admission is holistic and rolling: applicants submit transcripts, an essay and résumé, and a test score (the College Board's PAA, or SAT/ACT), plus an English placement result. More than half of new students receive a scholarship each year, from need-based aid combined with a loan to merit awards covering 20% to 60% and the Líderes del Mañana programme covering 100% of tuition. Tec suits entrepreneurial students who want a private-university experience with strong industry links.
Espíritu emprendedor con sentido humano
“Entrepreneurial spirit with a human sense” — university motto
Why students choose Tec de Monterrey
More than half of new students receive a scholarship each year, and Líderes del Mañana covers 100% of tuition for high-achieving student leaders with full financial need.
Several business degrees and Architecture are taught fully in English, including BBA, Finance, Marketing and Global Business.
Rolling admission: decisions arrive within 24 hours of the release date that follows your completed file.
A national network of 26 campuses in 33 cities, with the flagship campus in Monterrey.
Admissions
August 2027 entry
Selectivity
Tec does not publish an overall acceptance rate. Admission is rolling and holistic; high-selectivity majors (e.g. Medical Doctor, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology Engineering, English-taught Finance and BBA) have limited places at certain campuses and release decisions on fixed dates. Decisions are final and reasons are not disclosed.
Typical entry requirements
| Mexican preparatoria / high school | Proof of studies with GPA, PAA (or SAT/ACT) score, English placement result, essay and résumé; extra requirements for limited-capacity programmes |
|---|---|
| International high school | Transcript of grades 10-12 or equivalent, passport or national ID, PAA (or SAT/ACT if English is your native language) and English placement or certificate |
| English language | All applicants take Tec's English placement exam (EUC) or submit an accepted certificate (TOEFL iBT, B2 First, PET, Pearson). A1 or A2 results mean compulsory English courses in the first semesters, and every student must reach B2 to graduate. |
Deadlines
- Medicine (MC) and Dentistry (MO) Non-binding Next deadline · In 39 days14 November 2026 (last of three file deadlines: 19 September, 17 October and 14 November 2026)
Results from 15 October, 12 November and 10 December 2026. MC at Campus Monterrey is ranked and uses 17 October and 14 November.
- Limited-capacity majors (e.g. Architecture, Global Business, Marketing, Biotechnology, AI and Data Science, Biomedical Engineering) Non-binding In 53 days28 November 2026 (last of three file deadlines: 3 October, 31 October and 28 November 2026)
Results from 15 October, 12 November and 10 December 2026; which majors are limited depends on the campus.
- Ranked majors: Finance (BFI), Strategy and Business Transformation (BBA), Financial Engineering (BEF) Non-binding In 53 days28 November 2026 (file deadlines 31 October and 28 November 2026)
Results from 12 November and 10 December 2026; places are allocated by ranking.
- Academic Talent Scholarship Non-binding In ~4 months22 January 2027
Applications from 24 August 2026; last PAA attempt 16 January 2027; results 18 February 2027; seat reservation by 25 February and acceptance by 4 March 2027. High-selectivity programmes need admission by 10 December 2026 to take part.
- Rolling admission (August 2027 entry) Non-bindingWeekly completed-file deadlines from 8 August to 3 October 2026 (dates published so far)
Results 12 days after each deadline (e.g. file by 8 August, results 20 August; file by 3 October, results 15 October), delivered within 24 hours on the release day.
Dates are Tec's published calendar for August 2027 entry. Admission is rolling, so earlier completion gives an earlier decision; limited-capacity, health and ranked majors release decisions only on the fixed dates shown, and more rolling dates may be added later.
How to apply
Create an account on Solicitud Tec, pay the admission fee, upload proof of studies and ID, write an essay and résumé, take the PAA (or submit SAT/ACT) and the English placement exam. Once your file is complete and approved, you receive a decision on the next release date; if admitted, you secure your place with a Seat Reservation payment of MXN 5,000 to 8,000 depending on the programme.
What admissions looks for
- Strong academic results: GPA and PAA score are the core of the file.
- An integral profile shown through the essay and résumé; Tec says it wants to know applicants 'in an integral way'.
- Students with the potential to complete their degree and act as agents of change in their communities.
- For limited-capacity majors, meeting the programme's additional requirements, which may include interviews or extra tests.
Tips for applying to Tec de Monterrey
- 1 Apply early: places in high-selectivity majors and campuses are limited and fill as files are completed.
- 2 Prepare for the PAA with Tec's free PruebaTec diagnostic and the College Board practice test; a higher score also unlocks scholarships.
- 3 If you want the Academic Talent Scholarship (20% to 60%), you need a 90/100 average and a PAA of at least 1,360; you can retake the PAA until 16 January 2027 and must apply by 22 January 2027.
- 4 Apply for the socioeconomic scholarship at the same time as admission; it requires an 85/100 average and a PAA of at least 1,220.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in MXN
More than half of new Tec students receive a scholarship each year. The Socioeconomic Scholarship combines a need-based scholarship with a Tec educational loan (up to 25%) at an 8.5% annual rate; Talent scholarships (academic, athletic, artistic, leadership, entrepreneurial, creative, transformative) reward merit, with the Academic Talent award covering 20% to 60%; Líderes del Mañana covers 100% of tuition for high-achieving students with social leadership and full financial need.
- More than half each year
- New students receiving a scholarship
- 20% to 60% of tuition (90/100 average required)
- Academic Talent Scholarship
- 100% tuition scholarship
- Líderes del Mañana
- MXN 2,000 (MXN 2,300 from January 2027)
- Admission process fee (September to December 2026)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Medical Doctor (MC)
A high-selectivity programme with its own admission calendar, offered at Monterrey, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Chihuahua and Querétaro.
B.A. in Finance in English (BFI)
Taught in English with extra admission requirements at Campus Monterrey.
B.A. in Strategy and Business Transformation in English (BBA)
A limited-capacity English-taught business degree at Campus Monterrey.
B.S. in Biotechnology Engineering (IBT)
One of Tec's high-selectivity engineering majors with limited places.
B.A. in Architecture in English (BA)
An English-taught architecture degree listed among limited-capacity programmes.
Research
- Campus Monterrey hosts research facilities including the CIAP and the FEMSA Biotechnology Center.
- Tec has 2,000 full-time professors among 11,468 faculty (2023).
Schools & faculties
- School of Architecture, Art and Design
- School of Social Sciences and Government
- School of Humanities and Education
- School of Engineering and Sciences
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences
- School of Business
Student life
Tec puts heavy weight on life beyond class. In 2022, 32,239 students took part in cultural activities, 41,582 in physical education and sports and 75,646 in LiFE (student life) activities. Campus Monterrey, the flagship, combines the mural-covered Rectory with newer facilities such as a Wellness Center, an innovation and entrepreneurship hub and a large library, all under the Cerro de la Silla. Students can move between campuses and programmes subject to availability.
- 75,646 students enrolled in LiFE student-life activities (2022).
- 41,582 students in physical education and sports (2022).
- Radio station XHTEC 94.9 FM broadcasts in Monterrey with student participation.
- 14% of undergraduates are the first generation in their families to attend university (2022).
Location
Monterrey is the capital of Nuevo León and one of Mexico's main industrial and business cities, framed by mountains including the Cerro de la Silla. Campus Monterrey is on Avenida Eugenio Garza Sada in the south of the city. Business leaders from companies such as CEMEX and FEMSA are among Tec's alumni.
Nearest airport: Monterrey International Airport (MTY)
Notable alumni
- LZ Lorenzo ZambranoLongtime CEO of CEMEX; BS from Tec
- JA José Antonio Fernández CarbajalChairman and former CEO of FEMSA; industrial engineering degree and MBA from Tec
- LD Luis Donaldo ColosioPresidential candidate assassinated in 1994; BA from Tec
- CG Carlos GutierrezFormer US Secretary of Commerce and Kellogg CEO; studied business administration at Tec's Querétaro campus
- BT Blanca TreviñoFounder of the IT company Softtek; computer systems graduate (1981)
- CM Cristina MittermeierMarine biologist and conservation photographer; marine biology degree (1989)
- TC Tatiana ClouthierMexican politician and Secretary of Economy; BA in English language from Tec
Frequently asked questions
What test do I need for Tec de Monterrey?
The PAA (Prueba de Aptitud Académica) from College Board, or the SAT or ACT (use Tec's SAT code 0843), plus Tec's English placement exam or an accepted certificate such as TOEFL iBT.
What PAA score do you need for Tec de Monterrey scholarships?
The socioeconomic scholarship requires at least 1,220 on the PAA and an 85/100 average; the Academic Talent Scholarship requires a 90/100 average and at least 1,360 on the PAA.
How much does Tec de Monterrey cost?
Tuition varies by programme and campus, and Tec publishes it through its online cost simulator rather than a fixed table. The admission process fee is MXN 2,000 from September to December 2026 (MXN 2,300 from January 2027), and more than half of new students receive a scholarship.
Does Tec de Monterrey offer 100% scholarships?
Yes. Líderes del Mañana covers 100% of tuition for students with high academic performance, proven social leadership and full financial need; the 2027 call opened on 17 August 2026.
When is the Tec de Monterrey application deadline?
Admission is rolling. For August 2027 entry, files completed between 8 August and 3 October 2026 get results about 12 days later; limited-capacity, medical and ranked majors have fixed deadlines up to 14 or 28 November 2026.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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