Espiritu Santo University, Guayaquil

Espiritu Santo University, Guayaquil, commonly known as Espiritu Santo University, is a prestigious private, non-profit higher education institution which primarily serves students from the Guayaquil metropolitan area of Ecuador. The university which operates from its Samborondón suburban campus has gained recognition for its international standards and its mission to develop global citizens. It operates as a modern intellectual center that emphasizes academic excellence, research, and a strong connection to the business sector. The institution is distinguished by its bilingual approach to education and its extensive network of international agreements, which allow for a multicultural environment that bridges local development with global perspectives.

The university was founded in 1993 by Dr. Carlos Ortega Maldonado and officially began its academic activities in 1994, after receiving approval from the Ecuadorian higher education governing bodies and the national presidency.  Over the past three decades, it has undergone significant physical and institutional transformations, moving to its expansive permanent campus in 2001 and consistently gaining national accreditation for its quality of service. In late 2024, the university celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking its journey from a small specialized college to one of the top-ranked private research universities in the Latin American region.

Espiritu Santo University, Guayaquil is ranked as the #3 top university in Ecuador during 2026.