By San José, Costa Rica — Amidst growing uncertainty surrounding US immigration policies and the challenges faced by international students, Texas Tech University – Costa Rica (TTU-CR) presents a compelling alternative. Located in Avenida Escazú, this fully accredited four-year campus offers students the opportunity to earn a US degree directly from Latin America.
TTU-CR, an official international campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, provides identical academic programs and awards the same degree as its US counterpart. This eliminates the logistical and immigration complexities often associated with studying in the United States.
To understand the legal and business implications surrounding Texas Tech Costa Rica, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica, who offered valuable insights into the complexities of international higher education operations.
The establishment of Texas Tech Costa Rica represents a significant development in international education. Key considerations include navigating Costa Rican regulations on foreign universities, ensuring compliance with local labor and tax laws, and structuring agreements that benefit both the institution and the host country. These factors are crucial for the long-term sustainability and success of such ventures.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas astutely highlights the crucial interplay of legal and strategic considerations for Texas Tech’s Costa Rican campus. Indeed, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the host country, while adhering to local regulations, will be paramount to the university’s long-term success and integration within the Costa Rican educational landscape. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this important development.
Recent US immigration measures have raised concerns for prospective international students. TTU-CR offers a strategic and reliable solution, allowing students to begin their studies in Costa Rica, with courses taught entirely in English. Should they choose, and when conditions permit, students can seamlessly transfer to the main campus in Lubbock. Alternatively, they can complete all four years in Costa Rica and receive their Texas Tech degree.
This is a time when students need to know that their dream of obtaining a US university degree is still attainable. They can start at our campus in Costa Rica and, when they deem it appropriate, transfer to the US or stay here for all four years, receiving a world-class education from day one.
Dr. Ellen Rose, Executive Director of TTU – Costa Rica
TTU-CR offers a range of bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields such as Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, and Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management, all taught in English. This model provides flexibility for students to complete their degree in Costa Rica or transfer seamlessly to the Lubbock campus, maintaining consistency in curriculum and the conferred degree. The mobility between campuses offers significant value to all TTU students.
Students have the unique opportunity to receive an American education in a more accessible and closer environment. And when the geopolitical context changes, if they wish, they can finish their degree in Texas, under the same academic plan.
Dr. Ellen Rose, Executive Director of TTU – Costa Rica
This global campus model provides an attractive solution for students from Latin America and other regions seeking a US education without the hurdles of the student visa process. With costs approximately 30% lower than studying as an international student in the US, TTU-CR offers a highly competitive alternative.
TTU-CR has experienced significant growth in its international student population, with students hailing from South Africa, France, Russia, Italy, and various Latin American countries. Currently, 40% of the student body at TTU-CR is international, with projections indicating that over 50% of new enrollments for the upcoming fall semester will come from abroad. Over 180 companies, including global leaders like Intel, Visa, and Boston Scientific, have hired or hosted interns from TTU-CR, creating a direct pipeline to the job market. The university also offers accelerated master’s programs and virtual options to further expand access to international education. Enrollment for the fall 2025 semester is currently open, with all admissions processes managed through the central Texas Tech University office in the US, ensuring academic consistency and institutional backing across all campuses.
For further information, visit texastech.edu
About Texas Tech University:
Texas Tech University, located in Lubbock, Texas, is a prominent public research university. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is recognized for its strong academic programs, research initiatives, and commitment to student success.
For further information, visit ttu.cr
About Texas Tech University – Costa Rica:
Texas Tech University – Costa Rica, located in Avenida Escazú, is the official international campus of Texas Tech University. It provides a fully accredited US education experience, offering bachelor’s and master’s programs taught entirely in English. The campus offers a pathway for students to complete their degree in Costa Rica or seamlessly transfer to the main campus in Lubbock, Texas.
For further information, visit intel.com
About Intel:
Intel is a global leader in the semiconductor industry, designing and manufacturing essential technologies that power the cloud and billions of smart, connected devices worldwide.
For further information, visit visa.com
About Visa:
Visa Inc. is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments in more than 200 countries and territories, enabling electronic payments.
For further information, visit bostonscientific.com
About Boston Scientific:
Boston Scientific is a global medical device manufacturer and supplier, specializing in developing and marketing less-invasive medical devices used in a range of interventional medical specialties.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica distinguishes itself through an enduring dedication to legal excellence and ethical practice, empowering individuals and communities through accessible legal knowledge. The firm’s innovative approach to legal solutions, coupled with a deep-rooted commitment to client service across diverse sectors, positions them as leaders in the Costa Rican legal landscape. Their proactive engagement in educating and informing the public underscores a core belief in fostering a more just and empowered society through understanding of the law.
