Founded in 1997, Banku augstskola (BA School of Business and Finance) is a non-profit public higher-education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Riga (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants). Officially recognized by the Latvijas Republikas Izglitibas un zinatnes ministrija (Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia), Banku augstskola (BA) is a small coeducational Latvian higher education institution. Banku augstskola (BA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 25 years old Latvian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 60-70% making this Latvian higher education organization a somewhat selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. BA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.