Founded in 1997, Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales (University of Business Sciences) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of Alajuela (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants). Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales (UCEM) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales (UCEM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. UCEM also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including as well as administrative services.