Founded in 1946, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador) is a non-profit private higher-education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Quito (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Pichincha. Officially recognized by the Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador (Council for Quality Assurance of Higher Education of Ecuador), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) is a medium-sized coeducational Ecuadorian higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study. This 75 years old Ecuadorian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. PUCE 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.