San Francisco de Quito University

The Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) is a private, liberal arts university located in Quito, Ecuador.

The Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) was founded in 1988 by Santiago Gangotena González, a businessman and philanthropist. Gangotena was inspired to create a university that would provide a high-quality education in Ecuador, and that would be accessible to students from all backgrounds.

The university's first campus was located in the Quito suburb of Cumbayá. The campus has since expanded to include a campus in the Galápagos Islands and a biological field station in the Amazon rainforest.

The USFQ was officially recognized by the Ecuadorian state in October 1995 by Executive Decree 3166 (published in Official Register No. 809). Its Statute was approved by CONESUP (National Council of Higher Education) on May 18th, 2001 by letter number 0053.

In the early years, the USFQ focused on undergraduate programs in the arts and sciences.

The USFQ is also a major research institution. The university is home to a number of research centers and institutes, which conduct research on a wide range of topics, including the environment, public policy, and Latin American studies.

The USFQ has quickly become one of the leading universities in Ecuador and Latin America. The university is known for its high academic standards, its commitment to research, and its diverse student body.

The USFQ is a young university, but it has already made a significant impact on Ecuador and Latin America. The university is committed to providing a high-quality education to its students, and to conducting research that makes a difference in the world.

San Francisco de Quito University is ranked as the #1 top university in Ecuador during 2025. This is the same rank as last year.