Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) is a private, secular, non-profit, and politically unaffiliated university located in Mexico City, Mexico.
In 1946, a group of prominent Mexican businessmen, led by Raúl Bailléres, envisioned a university that would fuel Mexico's industrial and economic growth. They established the Asociación Mexicana de Cultura (Mexican Cultural Association) and founded the Instituto Tecnológico de México (ITM).
ITM began with a single program in economics, housed in a modest building on La Palma Street in Mexico City. Despite its humble beginnings, the institute quickly gained recognition for its rigorous academic standards and practical approach to education. By 1947, ITM expanded its offerings with the School of Business Administration and later added a High School. As its student body grew, the institute relocated to a larger campus in Santa Fe in 1953.
In 1963, ITM earned the designation of a "Free University School" from the Mexican government, granting it greater autonomy in its academic programs and operations. Reflecting this newfound independence, the institute officially adopted its current name, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM), in 1985.
Throughout the ensuing decades, ITAM continued to diversify its academic offerings, establishing new schools and programs in engineering, social sciences, and natural sciences. Today, ITAM is a highly respected institution, consistently ranked among the top universities in Mexico and Latin America. Its alumni occupy prominent positions in business, government, and academia, both within Mexico and internationally. Some notable ITAM graduates include former President Enrique Peña Nieto, business magnate Carlos Slim Helú, and economist Graciela Márquez Colín.
Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México is ranked as the #3 top university in Mexico during 2024.
