Currently the UPSE is accredited in the System of Higher Education, ranking in category C, according to the assessment made by the Board of Evaluation, Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education (CEAACES) From 1984 to 1994 the municipalities of Salinas and Santa Elena and various civic institutions took steps in an attempt to institutionalize Higher Education in the Santa Elena Peninsula, achieving the operation of the University Extension University of Guayaquil in the areas Industrial Engineering with Industrial Technology Program; Arts, Business Administration and Languages.

Finally on July 17, 1998, Dr. Fabián Alarcón Interim President of the Republic of Ecuador signed the execute Law No.

The Institute for Scientific Research and Technological Development, UPSE, established by Resolution No.

005 of the H. University Council at its meeting on June 7, 2006, is a company which drives scientific and technological development in the province.

Research centers A small museum presenting South American megafauna fossil remains is located on the university campus.