Founded in 1988, UDLA is currently the second largest by enrollment in Chile.

UDLA was founded in 1988 and started its academic activities in 1989.

Its first principal was Mario Albornoz, a commercial engineer from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and MA in economics from the University of Chicago.

In 1997, it was declared autonomous in 1997 by the CSE, a branch of Mineduc.

In 2000, Laureate International Universities, acquired UDLA, allowing students to obtain combined degrees from other institutions in the Laureate group.