Mexico Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in mexico, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Education and Training
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Overview

Mexico is the eleventh-leading country of origin for students studying in the United States. In the 2023–2024 academic year, the total Mexican higher education student population was 4.5 million, 15,474 of whom are students enrolled in U.S. schools. More than half of Mexican students studying in the United States are enrolled in undergraduate programs, an increase of 0.3 percent from the previous year. The United States remains the top market for Mexican students seeking higher education. International student mobility is a priority for Mexican educational institutions, as it is a pillar of Mexico’s competitiveness in the global market. Mexico and the United States collaborate closely on cultural and educational programs to support the development of students, faculty, and researchers. 

Faced with rapid changes in global supply chains, the Mexican education system has adopted a stance of continuous collaboration with regional economic sectors to understand industry needs and update curricula, aiming to prepare technicians and specialists in key areas of the economy. Mexico’s technical and technological education system is one of the largest in the world and comprises two educational models under the Nueva Escuela Mexicana structure: the general high school system and the technological baccalaureate offering careers in diverse fields, including emerging areas such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, mining, transportation, and logistics.

English proficiency in the Mexican labor force is crucial for the country’s economic competitiveness, especially in the globalized job market. Canada remains the number one destination for Mexican students for English language programs, followed by the United Kingdom. The main reasons are relatively lower fees and, in the case of Europe, a different educational experience with expanded access to international travel. The United States ranks third for English language educational programs. Mexican higher education institutions and industry are working on models to improve language proficiency, as Mexico’s scores in English language abilities rank low. 

Mexico remains committed to workforce development. Mexico’s National Development Plan 2025-2030 (Plan Nacional de Desarrollo), outlined by President Claudia Sheinbaum, aims to transform the country’s economic and social future by 2030. One of its strategic goals is to train 150,000 professionals and technicians per year through continuous education aligned with key strategic sectors such as automotive, aerospace, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, logistics, ports, and infrastructure. The participation of government, academia, and industry (the “triple helix” model) will help identify industry needs, update curricula, incorporate certifications, and create public-private alliances to consolidate a national system of professional competencies. The Mexican Government is investing USD 144 million to expand national education coverage in upper secondary education (high school system), opening 40,000 new spots for students in 30 states across Mexico. Although there is a shortage in faculty and infrastructure, this represents a significant increase in the expansion of education over the previous administration.  

Another important pillar of the plan is the implementation of dual education programs that provide students with hands-on experience in their academic fields. This model will strengthen collaboration between industry and academia.

Mexico has developed strategic clusters to facilitate job placement according to regional needs. The current educational clusters in Mexico align with the most important industry clusters throughout the country, including Aerospace: Querétaro and Chihuahua (aircraft assembly, maintenance, and operation); Automotive: Guanajuato, Coahuila, and Puebla; Electronics: Western Mexico (Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Jalisco and Aguascalientes) cover the hi-tech, aerospace related electronics and EMS; Consumer electronics, appliances and computer parts clusters are covered by Coahuila, Mexico City, Nuevo León, Querétaro and Tamaulipas; IT and Software: Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey; Medical Devices: Baja California is one of the largest manufacturing hubs in Mexico. The southern region of Mexico remains untapped in international academic mobility. Recruitment and partnerships for U.S. higher education institutions and industry are in tourism, supply chain, agriculture, and environmental sciences. 

Trade Statistics

Table: Mexican Students in U.S. Colleges and Universities (2023-2024 Academic Year)

Academic LevelNumber of Students from MexicoPercentage
Undergraduate8,13352.6%
Graduate 4,46628.9%
Other / Non-Degree7985.2%
Optional Practical Training2,07713.4%

Source: IIE Open Doors 2024 Report

Leading Sub-sectors and Opportunities 

Community Colleges: Mexico ranks as the fourth-leading country of origin for students at U.S. community colleges. U.S. community colleges can develop programs with Mexican technological and polytechnic universities, many of which offer bilingual education. Specializations include STEM, electronics, film, and tourism.

Undergraduate: More than 8,000 Mexican students are enrolled in U.S. undergraduate programs. Mexican students seeking undergraduate programs abroad are motivated by innovative curricula that help them develop multicultural competencies. For international recruitment opportunities at undergraduate/graduate levels, it is recommended to partner with local educational agents/consulting firms to identify students.  

Graduate Education:  Mexican graduate students seek programs that enable them to operate effectively in international settings, reflecting Mexico’s global business presence. Financial support through scholarships and grants is often a deciding factor for students pursuing graduate education abroad.
The newly established Secretariat of Science, Technology, Humanities, and Innovation is also working to enhance international cooperation in science and technology by building alliances with global research centers, institutions, and governments.

Professional Training Services: Workforce and professional training are critical to enhance national competitiveness and meet labor market demands. Mexican professionals are increasingly interested in micro-credentials based on specific competencies. These credentials offer a flexible, affordable, and customized approach to professional development (upskilling and reskilling). Opportunities to work with industry clusters, chambers, and associations to offer online, non-degree, or short-term in-person programs (ideally in Spanish) remain critical and in demand. 

Online Programs: Online education has gained importance with the advancement of technology implementation, mainly for short-term or specialization programs in high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, data science, artificial intelligence, and technical language. Hybrid or blended programs are preferred, where part of the course will be online, but with an option for in-person instruction. The students’ ages for online education are mainly between 25 to 39 years old. A trend in online collaboration in K-12 education is to partner with a local Mexican school to provide online complementary education where students can obtain a dual international high school certificate. 

Education Technology: Technology plays a key role in the Mexican educational system, providing learning tools to students and fostering interactive experiences. Mexican institutions invest in equipment and technology solutions such as software, applications, and digital content to provide students with a more participatory experience. U.S. education technology providers are encouraged to work with distribution partners to represent their products and services in Mexico. 

Resources

Commercial Specialist

For further information and assistance in exploring opportunities in Mexico’s education sector, contact: Martha Sánchez (Martha.Sanchez@trade.gov)

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