Multiple efforts have been undertaken around the world to describe and categorize universities and systems of higher education, in the understanding that knowledge about these institutions can inform interventions which can improve educational quality and efficiency, while helping consumers--students, parents, employers, and governments--make informed choices. Typologies are particularly vital in countries like Costa Rica, where little is known about the one-hundred and twenty institutions, give or take, that operate within its boundaries and where issues regarding quality, access, and funding need to be addressed more assertively. This dissertation provides a systematic description of universities in Costa Rica and the students who enroll in them. In addition to establishing the groundwork for a general-purpose typology, it answers two research questions: Are there differences in the characteristics of universities by type? And are there any differences in the characteristics of students by institutional type? This study employed a mixed-methods approach. In the first stage of the study, information was collected on institutions using secondary research. Institutions were classified into seven categories, according to their type, and then compared. In the second stage, 1,138 undergraduate students at fifteen institutions were surveyed about their demographic background, socioeconomic status, academic preparation, and motives for college choice. The study confirmed that there are numerous differences in the characteristics of universities by type, beyond their size and nature of their programs, as well as differences in the characteristics of students by institutional type. The implications of these findings for public policy are discussed. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]