The public education system in El Salvador is severely lacking in resources. Class sizes in public schools can reach 50 children, so Salvadorans who can afford the cost often choose to send their children to private schools, which are reasonably higher in every level. Most private schools follow American, European or other advanced systems. Lower-income families are forced to rely on public education.
Education in El Salvador is free through high school. After nine years of basic education (elementary–middle school), students have the option of a two-year high school or a three-year high school. A two-year high school prepares the student for transfer to a university. A three-year high school allows the student to graduate and enter the workforce in a vocational career, or to transfer to a university to further their education in their chosen field.
Post-secondary education varies widely in price.
There is one public university:
• Universidad de El Salvador, UES
The University of El Salvador has one main campus in San Salvador and three more campuses in Santa Ana, San Miguel and San Vicente.
El Salvador has several private universities:
• Universidad Dr. José Matías Delgado, UJMD
• Universidad Centroamericana "José Simeón Cañas", UCA
• Universidad Francisco Gavidia, UFG
• Universidad Tecnologica, UTec
• Universidad Don Bosco, UDB
• Universidad Evangelica
• Universidad Dr Andrés Bello UNAB
• Universidad de Nueva San Salvador, UNSSA
• Universidad Albert Einstein
• Universidad Salvadorena Alberto Masferrer, USAM
• Universidad Modular Abierta, UMA
• Universidad Monsenor Oscar
