Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP): Excellence Rooted in History, Reaching for the Future
Located in the ancient city of Cholula, Mexico—a city whose history stretches back centuries before the Spanish conquest—the Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) stands as one of the most prestigious private institutions of higher education in Mexico. Its story, however, begins not in Puebla but in Mexico City. Founded in 1940 as Mexico City College, UDLAP was born from a bicultural vision intended to bridge the United States and Latin America. By the early 1960s, this philosophy led to a name change—to the University of the Americas—solidifying its identity as an institution fostering academic brotherhood across continents.
A major turning point arrived in 1966 when the university relocated to its current home, the 80-hectare (nearly 200-acre) Santa Catarina Mártir hacienda in Cholula, thanks to the support of the Mary Street Jenkins Foundation. This transition allowed UDLAP to expand its academic vision, embracing the motto “El amor a la sabiduría nos hará más grandes” (Love for wisdom will make us greater). The stunning campus itself, built on a former 17th-century hacienda, is a work of art, featuring colonial architecture, beautiful gardens, a valuable art collection that is part of the Google Art Project, and the Capilla del Arte, a dynamic art nouveau space for cultural events. Buy fake diploma online.
Today, UDLAP’s academic structure is organized into five primary schools: Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, Engineering, and Business and Economics, offering over 70 undergraduate and graduate programs. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, UDLAP is positioned in the #1001-1200 bracket, reflecting its strong global standing. However, its true distinction lies in its accreditations. A flagship achievement is its Level 6 accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC). UDLAP is one of only two universities outside the United States to hold this highest level of recognition, placing its quality standards on par with elite American institutions.
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Quality is the cornerstone of the UDLAP experience. It is reinforced by the AACSB International accreditation for its Business School, ABET accreditation for its engineering programs, and the highest possible recognition from the Mexican Federation of Private Higher Education Institutions (FIMPES). All this is delivered by a highly qualified faculty, with nearly 100% of full-time professors holding postgraduate degrees. This commitment to excellence has earned UDLAP the unique distinction of being the first and only one-campus university in Latin America to receive a 5-star overall rating from QS Stars, achieving perfect scores in categories such as teaching, employability, internationalization, arts and culture, and inclusion.
At its core, UDLAP is a truly global university. Students from over 40 nationalities walk its halls, and it maintains exchange agreements with more than 200 universities across 41 countries. The results of this model are undeniable: over 90% of UDLAP graduates find employment within six months of completing their degrees. From the ruins of ancient Cholula to the cutting-edge laboratories of a 21st-century university, UDLAP continues to illuminate the path for students seeking a transformative, world-class education in the heart of Mexico.