The Latin American reality reflects a continent full of contrasts where youth is expected to play a key role in the transformation of society. Demographic studies indicate that the percentage of young people in Latin America is greater than at any time in the past. These young people have witnessed a significant increase in opportunities for higher education in Latin America, especially in Venezuela, where student enrolment has doubled in less than two decades. This paper analyzes the growth of university education in Venezuela during the last decade, as well as some quality indicators, scientific productivity of universities, and the main motivations to enrol for college expressed by a total of 3,026 young Venezuelans from three higher education institutions.