The first stage of the highly anticipated Rosario Castellanos University (UNRC) in Tijuana has officially opened, marking a major milestone in the expansion of public higher education in Baja California. The institution, which is entirely tuition-free, already offers 11 bachelor’s degrees and has enrolled more than 1,874 students across its first two admission cycles.
The inauguration was attended by UNRC Rector Alma Herrera Márquez and the state Secretary of Sciences, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation, Rosaura Ruiz Gutiérrez, who highlighted the inauguration during Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda’s weekly press conference.
“Demographically speaking, we have already incorporated 1,874 students at the higher education level through two admission cycles. I want to emphasize that, on average, two-thirds are women.”
This focus on gender inclusion aligns with UNRC’s mission to promote equity and empower women to address the pressing challenges of the 21st century.
The university’s curriculum is tailored to respond to modern regional and global needs. Rector Herrera emphasized that research efforts will address areas such as energy, water, data science, artificial intelligence, and the humanities, with the goal of strengthening the social fabric and fostering a culture of peace. A postgraduate program in Critical Management of Peace Culture is set to launch this October.
“Our goal is not only to train highly qualified professionals and conduct research, but also to contribute to the improvement and harmony of the community and the country,” Herrera noted.
Academic Programs and Growth Plans
While the UNRC system offers 36 degrees nationwide, the Tijuana campus will launch with 11 undergraduate programs available both in-person and online. The initial selection is designed to meet the demands of the border region:
- B.A. in Administration and Commerce
- B.A. in Law and Criminology
- B.A. in Law and Public Security
- B.A. in Community Development for Metropolitan Areas
- B.A. in International Relations
- B.A. in Environmental Sciences for Urban Areas
- B.A. in Data Science for Business
- B.A. in Accounting and Finance
- B.A. in Humanities and Multimedia Narratives
- B.A. in Urbanism and Metropolitan Development
- B.E. in Control and Automation Engineering
University officials expect to welcome between 1,250 and 1,500 new students per semester, with steady annual growth of around 3,000 students. Expansion of the academic catalog is already under consideration, including the addition of forward-looking programs such as Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, currently offered at UNRC campuses in San Luis Potosí and Naucalpan.
Infrastructure Timeline
According to Arturo Espinoza Jaramillo, Secretary of Infrastructure, Urban Development, and Territorial Reorganization (SIDURT), construction of the Tijuana campus remains on schedule. The first phase, now complete, includes 17 classrooms across two buildings.
The full academic complex is expected to be delivered by December of this year. Additional improvements, including air conditioning systems and further classroom facilities, will continue into early 2026.
With its rapid expansion and modern curriculum, Rosario Castellanos University in Tijuana is set to become a cornerstone of affordable, inclusive, and high-quality higher education on the U.S.-Mexico border.
