Founded in 1994, Universidad Santa Paula (Santa Paula University) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Santa Paula (USP) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Santa Paula (USP) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. USP also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.