Hi everyone, I recently moved to Spain with my kids and have been wrestling with the challenge of finding the right school. While researching, a fundamental but curious question popped into my head: Just how many primary schools and universities are there in Spain? It seems like this number could give a good indication of the country’s educational resources. I’ve compiled some official data I found and wanted to share it with other parents going through the same process. Let’s discuss!
Let’s start with primary schools. The number is truly massive! According to the latest statistics from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, as detailed in this overview of the Spanish education system from primary to university, there are over 28,000 centers offering primary education nationwide. These schools are mainly divided into three categories: public schools (colegios públicos), state-subsidized private schools (colegios concertados), and fully private schools (colegios privados). Public schools make up the vast majority, providing fundamental, free national education. Concertado schools are privately run but receive government funding, making their fees relatively low. As for fully private schools, they are what you’d expect—often with more specialized curricula and facilities, and of course, the highest fees.
Next up, universities. Compared to primary schools, the number of universities is much more straightforward. As of the 2023-2024 academic year, Spain has a total of 88 universities. Does that number seem a bit smaller than you expected? Rest assured, the quality is high. These universities are also divided into public and private.
Overview of Spanish Universities
| Type | Number | Characteristics |
|---|
| Public Universities | 50 | Long-standing history, high academic reputation, lower tuition fees |
| Private Universities | 38 | Flexible structure, practical focus, strong ties with businesses |
Institutions like the Complutense University of Madrid and the University of Barcelona are world-renowned public universities, while the University of Navarra and IE Business School are leading examples of top-tier private universities.
These educational resources are not evenly distributed across every autonomous community. Madrid, Catalonia, and Andalusia are the three regions with the highest concentration of universities and schools, offering more choices. For example, the historic University of Salamanca is a work of art in itself, and just reading about a school like the Complutense University of Madrid’s affiliated primary school is enough to spark inspiration.
The city you choose to live in largely determines the educational resources you’ll have access to. Therefore, doing your homework in advance is crucial! We all know that To be honest, I’m still deciding myself.
Spain boasts a vast and diverse primary education network and a selection of high-quality higher education institutions. Nearly 30,000 primary schools ensure widespread access to basic education, while almost 90 universities offer a wealth of options for advanced studies. I hope this information has been helpful! What type of school do your children attend? Or is anyone here currently applying to university? Feel free to share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!
