Young people in Colombia are choosing university degrees based on demand: find out which ones
The study was conducted by Universidad Manuela Beltrán. Photo: Freepik
TL;DR
- Colombian youth in 2026 are prioritizing employability, flexibility, and career projection when selecting academic programs.
- Technology and health programs are the most preferred, both in face-to-face and virtual modalities.
- Software Engineering is the most chosen technology career, with one in four new students selecting it.
- In-person top choices include Software Engineering, Physiotherapy, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, and Nursing.
- Virtual learning sees Psychology, Software Engineering, Law, Criminal Investigation, and Tourism and Hotel Administration as most popular.
- Virtual education has become a primary option, with 48% of virtual students already employed.
- The average age of virtual students is increasingly younger, with significant numbers of recent high school graduates.
- Key characteristics of chosen careers include high labor demand, remote/hybrid work possibilities, and connection to technology and strategic sectors.