The Fundación Empresarial de Costa Rica was founded in 1995.

Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica received approval of its charter from the Consejo Nacional de Enseñanza Superior Universitaria Privada (CONESUP) of the Costa Rican Ministry of Education, during Session number 336-97 which met on 5 November 1997. 

UNEM is listed with the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) International Association of Universities' World List of Universities and International Handbook of Universities and other international directories.