This research describes the methodology for the study of costs at the Technical University of Cotopaxi (UTC), whose objective is to design a methodological framework for the study and treatment of costs based on the foundations of the ABC cost system (Activity Based Costing ), and the legal framework that governs Higher Education Institutions and, as is the case, UTC. It should be understood that a cost analysis allows the efficient management of economic resources in the Institution for the provision of quality services, seeking the optimization of resources that allow efficient internal control and the production of indicators that reflect the productivity of resources assigned by the State. The research is documentary, considering sources of primary and secondary information that allowed to identify the dynamics on the management of finances in higher education. The proposed model is based on the ABC costing system, in which the direct costs were identified, being those related to the academic process of the University; and the indirect ones that are those expenses for remuneration of managerial, administrative, and service personnel, depreciations and consumer goods that contribute to the academic process, which will be distributed proportionally to each faculty. Concluding that the methodology guide helped to define structures, estimate costs to quantify them by faculties and determine the unit cost of each student in their academic training.