Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
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
- 65.2%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.4
- Size
- Large (15,637 students)
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- 1:20
- Setting
- urban
- Graduation Rate
- 75.0%
- Retention Rate
- 80.0%
- Tuition (In-State)
- $4,000
- Tuition (Int'l)
- $10,000
Academic Programs
STEM
Business
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health
Arts
English Proficiency Requirements
Student Life & Environment
Life at UPCH revolves primarily around intensive study. Students in health sciences programs face demanding curricula that consume significant time and energy, leaving less room for extracurricular activities than at universities with a broader academic focus. That said, the intensity creates strong bonds among classmates who progress through challenging programs together, often resulting in lifelong professional networks. The main campus in San Martin de Porres provides facilities for study and research, with libraries, laboratories, and gathering spaces where students congregate between classes. Student organizations exist, including academic groups tied to specific fields, volunteer organizations that provide health services to underserved communities, and sports teams. The volunteer work, in particular, gives students early exposure to the health challenges facing Peru's population and reinforces the university's mission of service. Most students live at home with families in Lima or rent nearby, as the university does not provide significant on-campus housing. The surrounding neighborhood offers affordable food options and the services students need. Lima itself provides entertainment, cultural activities, and the advantages of a major capital city, though many UPCH students report having limited time to explore given their academic demands. Social life tends to center on study groups, clinical rotations, and connections formed within academic programs rather than traditional campus activities.
Location & Surroundings
Lima, Peru's capital and by far its largest city, provides the setting for UPCH. With a metropolitan population exceeding ten million, Lima offers the medical facilities, diverse patient populations, and infrastructure that a research-intensive health sciences university requires. The main campus sits in the San Martin de Porres district on the northern edge of the city, a middle-class area that has grown up around the university over decades. The city itself presents contrasts that health students encounter directly through their training. Lima includes wealthy districts with modern healthcare facilities alongside impoverished areas where basic health needs go unmet. This reality shapes the education at UPCH, where students learn to work across socioeconomic contexts and understand how poverty affects health outcomes. Clinical rotations take students throughout the metropolitan area, providing exposure to different patient populations and healthcare settings. Lima's coastal location brings a climate that can feel gloomy during the winter months, when fog and drizzle are common, but offers pleasant conditions during the summer. The city provides cultural resources including museums, restaurants, and entertainment options, though notorious traffic makes getting around challenging. International students will find a cosmopolitan environment with connections to the wider world, while Peruvian students from outside Lima experience the capital as a place of opportunity that also demands adaptation to urban life.
Costs & Career Outcomes
As a private university in Peru, UPCH charges tuition that, while substantial by local standards, remains affordable compared to private medical education in countries like the United States. The university operates a scaled tuition system based on family income and the type of school applicants attended, making education more accessible to students from varying economic backgrounds. Scholarships and financial aid exist for qualified students who demonstrate need. Career outcomes for UPCH graduates are generally strong, particularly in medicine and health sciences. The university's reputation opens doors in Peru's healthcare system, with graduates finding positions in hospitals, clinics, research institutions, and academic settings. Many go on to specialty training, and a significant number pursue graduate education abroad before returning to Peru. The international connections the university maintains help graduates access opportunities for further training in North America, Europe, and elsewhere. The alumni network includes leaders throughout Peruvian medicine and public health, providing mentorship and professional connections for newer graduates. UPCH alumni hold positions in the Ministry of Health, major hospitals, and universities throughout the country. For students who want to make health their career in Peru or the broader region, UPCH provides training that commands respect and opens opportunities. The investment in education pays returns through career access that graduates from less distinguished institutions may not enjoy.
Campus Location
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