A great number of universities in Mexico are recognized as being quality institutions of higher learning, including ITESM, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the Metropolitan Autonomous University, the Universidad de las America, the Ibero-American University, the University of Guadalajara, the University of Toluca and the Autonomous University of Coahuila. Depending on the source of their funding, the universities in Mexico fall into two categories: private and public institutions.   The Metropolitan Autonomous University belongs to the group of public universities in Mexico. Located in Mexico City, it comprises three campuses in Xochimilco, Iztapalapa and Azcapotzalco.   The Universidad de las Americas was established in 1940 as Mexico City College, and thus it is regarded as the oldest private institution of Mexico. In addition, it was also the first Mexican university to receive accreditation from the Association of Texas Colleges and Universities and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Since its foundation, the Universidad de las Americans has maintained its reputation of being a high profile bilingual school.

Another private Mexican institution of higher education is the Ibero-American University, sponsored by the Society of Jesus. Founded in 1943, the university became the first to offer a degree in the field of industry. Holding a collection of 250,000 journals and books, the main library of the university Francisco Xavier Clavigero is regarded as the largest university library in the country. The famous alumni include Diego Fernandez de Ceballos, Mexican senator; Vicente Fox, the President of Mexico, and Guillermo Arriaga, a film screenwriter. The current president of the university is Jose Morales Orozco.  The University of Guanajuato comprises schools in nine cities throughout state of Guanajuato. It has an enrollment of 26,000 students, offers 122 programs, including 53 Bachelor's, 28 Master's and 9 Doctorate degrees. More than 10,000 students of the university are pursuing undergraduate degrees.  The Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara was the first private university to be established in Mexico as the result of students' protests against the imposition of social education on part of the Mexican Government. Today the institution rates among the most prestigious universities in Mexico, attracting students from Puerto Rico, South America, the United States and Mexico. The university is widely reputed for its Medicine School, the only one in Mexico to certify doctors, recognized in both Mexico and the United States. The 70th anniversary of the university was celebrated on March 3, 2005.  The system of Autonomous University of Coahuila comprises three campuses, located in the most populous cities of the state: Torreon, Norte and Saltillo. The university has a total enrollment of 30,260 undergraduates, and 29,000 graduate students, who are instructed by 2,270 faculty members. The administrative headquarters of the university are located on the Saltillo campus in the state capital Saltillo.