Established in 1580, Universidad Santo Tomás (Santo Tomás University) is a non-profit private higher-education institution located in the large metropolis of Bogotá (population range of over 5,000,000 inhabitants), Bogota. This institution also has branch campuses in the following locations: Bucaramanga, Medellín, Tunja, Villavicencio. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Nacional, Colombia (Ministry of National Education of Colombia), Universidad Santo Tomás (USTA) is a large coeducational Colombian higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Universidad Santo Tomás (USTA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. USTA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.