Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán
A well-established university providing quality higher education. Offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs with dedicated faculty and supportive learning environment.
- Acceptance Rate
- 67.9%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.4
- Size
- Large (20,294 students)
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- 1:20
- Setting
- suburban
- Graduation Rate
- 68.0%
- Retention Rate
- 78.0%
- Tuition (In-State)
- $4,000
- Tuition (Int'l)
- $8,000
Academic Programs
STEM
Business
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health
Arts
English Proficiency Requirements
Student Life & Environment
UADY operates across multiple locations in Mérida, with different faculties occupying separate campuses around the city. This distributed structure means students may need to travel between locations depending on their programs, and campus life differs from the experience at universities consolidated on a single campus. The main campus and central facilities provide gathering points, but daily life often centers on individual faculty locations. Student organizations exist around academic disciplines, cultural activities, sports, and community service. The university sponsors cultural events and supports student participation in arts and athletics. Given the dispersed physical structure, much social connection happens within faculties, where students share classes and develop friendships with others in their programs. Mérida itself becomes part of the student experience. The city offers restaurants, bars, cultural venues, and the particular pleasures of Yucatecan cuisine and culture. Most students live with families or in rented rooms in the city, commuting to their faculty locations. The cost of living runs lower than in Mexico City or northern border cities, making student life more affordable. The warm climate affects daily rhythms, with people often most active in mornings and evenings when temperatures are more moderate.
Location & Surroundings
Mérida sits in the northern Yucatán Peninsula, serving as the cultural and economic capital of the region. The city of about one million people preserves colonial architecture in its historic center while growing outward with modern development. The flat limestone landscape of the peninsula extends in all directions, punctuated by the famous cenotes, natural sinkholes that provide access to underground rivers and create swimming holes treasured by locals and tourists alike. The Yucatán's distinctive character comes from its Maya heritage, which remains visible in archaeological sites, living communities, and the blend of Maya and Spanish that characterizes regional culture. Chichén Itzá lies about an hour from Mérida, while dozens of other ruins dot the surrounding area. The Caribbean coast with its beach resorts is about three hours east, providing weekend escape options. The climate is tropical, hot and humid for much of the year with a rainy season from late spring through fall. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 35 degrees Celsius. Students should prepare for heat that affects daily life. The cost of living remains reasonable, with housing, food, and entertainment more affordable than in many Mexican cities. International air connections from Mérida's airport have improved as tourism has grown, making travel to and from the region more convenient.
Costs & Career Outcomes
As a public autonomous university in Mexico, UADY charges modest tuition and fees that keep higher education accessible to students from various economic backgrounds. Mexican public university tuition runs far lower than private alternatives, removing financial barriers for many families. Living costs in Mérida are reasonable, with rent, food, and daily expenses lower than in major metropolitan areas like Mexico City or Monterrey. The university provides some scholarship and financial support programs for students who qualify. These programs help offset even the modest direct costs and living expenses that students face. Students should research available support and apply through appropriate channels. Career outcomes for UADY graduates reflect the regional economy and the specific fields studied. Health professionals find employment in hospitals and clinics serving the peninsula. Lawyers and accountants work in regional businesses and government. Engineers and architects contribute to the construction and development driven partly by tourism growth. The alumni network is concentrated in Yucatán and surrounding states, providing professional connections for graduates building careers in the region. Those seeking positions in Mexico City or abroad may need to build networks beyond the university's traditional reach.
Campus Location
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