Best Universities for Chemistry in Latin America

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Latin America ranked based on their research performance in Chemistry. A graph of 40.7M citations received by 1.94M academic papers made by 420 universities in Latin America was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Sao Paulo

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Chemistry

#1 in Brazil

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 97,964
Founded: 1827

2. National Autonomous University of Mexico

Mexico | Mexico City

For Chemistry

#1 in Mexico

#201 in the World

Enrollment: 360,883
Founded: 1551

3. State University of Campinas

Brazil | Campinas

For Chemistry

#2 in Brazil

#205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1966

4. Sao Paulo State University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Chemistry

#3 in Brazil

#275 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Founded: 1976

5. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Chemistry

#4 in Brazil

#306 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 67,329
Founded: 1920

6. Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Chemistry

#5 in Brazil

#338 in the World

Founded: 1934

7. University of Buenos Aires

Argentina | Buenos Aires

For Chemistry

#1 in Argentina

#362 in the World

Enrollment: 262,932
Founded: 1821

8. Federal University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Chemistry

#6 in Brazil

#408 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 45,038
Founded: 1927

9. University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Chemistry

#1 in Chile

#461 in the World

Founded: 1842

10. National Polytechnic Institute

Mexico | Mexico City

For Chemistry

#2 in Mexico

#475 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 170,000
Founded: 1936

11. Federal University of Sao Carlos

Brazil | Sao Carlos

For Chemistry

#7 in Brazil

#561 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Founded: 1968

12. Federal University of Santa Catarina

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Chemistry

#8 in Brazil

#563 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

13. Federal University of Sao Paulo

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Chemistry

#9 in Brazil

#582 in the World

Founded: 1933

14. Federal University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Chemistry

#10 in Brazil

#661 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1912

15. Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Chemistry

#2 in Chile

#680 in the World

Enrollment: 33,971
Founded: 1888

16. Federal University of Santa Maria

Brazil | Santa Maria

For Chemistry

#11 in Brazil

#749 in the World

Founded: 1960

17. National University of La Plata

Argentina | La Plata

For Chemistry

#2 in Argentina

#756 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1905

18. Federal University of Ceara

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Chemistry

#12 in Brazil

#757 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1954

19. Federal University of Vicosa

Brazil | Vicosa

For Chemistry

#13 in Brazil

#762 in the World

Founded: 1922

20. Federal University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Chemistry

#14 in Brazil

#793 in the World

Founded: 1946

21. University of Brasilia

Brazil | Brasilia

For Chemistry

#15 in Brazil

#803 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1962

22. National University of Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Chemistry

#842 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 54,284
Founded: 1867

23. National University of Cordoba

Argentina | Cordoba

For Chemistry

#3 in Argentina

#852 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 178,288
Founded: 1613

24. State University of Maringa

Brazil | Maringa

For Chemistry

#16 in Brazil

#866 in the World

Founded: 1970

25. Metropolitan Autonomous University

Mexico | Mexico City

For Chemistry

#3 in Mexico

#905 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Enrollment: 61,152
Founded: 1974

26. Fluminense Federal University

Brazil | Niteroi

For Chemistry

#17 in Brazil

#912 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

27. University of the Republic

Uruguay | Montevideo

For Chemistry

#983 in the World

Enrollment: 209,129
Founded: 1833

28. University of Concepcion

Chile | Concepcion

For Chemistry

#3 in Chile

#1018 in the World

Founded: 1920

29. Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

For Chemistry

#18 in Brazil

#1031 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Founded: 1958

30. Federal University of Bahia

Brazil | Salvador

For Chemistry

#19 in Brazil

#1034 in the World

Founded: 1946

31. University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Chemistry

#20 in Brazil

#1037 in the World

Founded: 1950

32. Federal University of Paraiba

Brazil | Joao Pessoa

For Chemistry

#21 in Brazil

#1091 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1955

33. University of Antioquia

Colombia | Medellin

For Chemistry

#1096 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1803

34. Federal University of Uberlandia

Brazil | Uberlandia

For Chemistry

#22 in Brazil

#1122 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 25,494
Founded: 1969

35. State University of Londrina

Brazil | Londrina

For Chemistry

#23 in Brazil

#1126 in the World

Founded: 1970

36. Federal University of Goias

Brazil | Goiania

For Chemistry

#24 in Brazil

#1148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 1960

37. Federal University of Pelotas

Brazil | Pelotas

For Chemistry

#25 in Brazil

#1160 in the World

Founded: 1969

38. Federal University of Lavras

Brazil | Lavras

For Chemistry

#26 in Brazil

#1171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1908

39. National University of Rosario

Argentina | Rosario

For Chemistry

#4 in Argentina

#1215 in the World

Founded: 1968

40. Monterrey Institute of Technology

Mexico | Monterrey

For Chemistry

#4 in Mexico

#1245 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Enrollment: 9,000
Founded: 1943

41. Federal University of Para

For Chemistry

#27 in Brazil

#1252 in the World

Founded: 1957

42. Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon

Mexico | San Nicolas de los Garza

For Chemistry

#5 in Mexico

#1266 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1933

43. University of Costa Rica

Costa Rica Flag

Costa Rica | San Jose

For Chemistry

#1 in Costa Rica

#1309 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Enrollment: 30,436
Founded: 1940

44. National University of Mar del Plata

Argentina | Mar del Plata

For Chemistry

#5 in Argentina

#1314 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1975

45. University of Santiago de Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Chemistry

#4 in Chile

#1320 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1849

46. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Chemistry

#28 in Brazil

#1352 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Founded: 1941

47. University of Ribeirao Preto

Brazil | Ribeirao Preto

For Chemistry

#29 in Brazil

#1361 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Founded: 1924

48. Federal Foundation University of Rio Grande

Brazil | Rio Grande

For Chemistry

#30 in Brazil

#1362 in the World

Founded: 1969

49. National University of the South

Argentina | Bahia Blanca

For Chemistry

#6 in Argentina

#1388 in the World

Founded: 1956

50. University of Guadalajara

Mexico | Guadalajara

For Chemistry

#6 in Mexico

#1403 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Enrollment: 339,508
Founded: 1792

51. Federal University of Espirito Santo

Brazil | Vitoria

For Chemistry

#31 in Brazil

#1404 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Enrollment: 23,744
Founded: 1954

52. Autonomous University of Puebla

Mexico | Delicias

For Chemistry

#7 in Mexico

#1406 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Founded: 1587

53. Central University of Venezuela

Venezuela | Caracas

For Chemistry

#1 in Venezuela

#1434 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1721

54. National University of Litoral

Argentina | Santa Fe

For Chemistry

#7 in Argentina

#1458 in the World

Founded: 1919

55. Federal University of Technology - Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Chemistry

#32 in Brazil

#1490 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1909

56. Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi

Mexico | San Luis Potosi

For Chemistry

#8 in Mexico

#1500 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1859

57. University of Guanajuato

Mexico | Guanajuato

For Chemistry

#9 in Mexico

#1512 in the World

Enrollment: 44,503
Founded: 1945

58. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Chemistry

#33 in Brazil

#1547 in the World

Founded: 1948

59. Federal University of Sergipe

Brazil | Sao Cristovao

For Chemistry

#34 in Brazil

#1553 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1963

60. National University of Tucuman

Argentina | San Miguel de Tucuman

For Chemistry

#8 in Argentina

#1559 in the World

Founded: 1914

61. Federal Rural University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Chemistry

#35 in Brazil

#1643 in the World

Founded: 1912

62. Southern University of Chile

Chile | Valdivia

For Chemistry

#5 in Chile

#1658 in the World

Founded: 1954

63. Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Brazil | Juiz de Fora

For Chemistry

#36 in Brazil

#1659 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1960

64. Michoacan University of Saint Nicholas of Hidalgo

Mexico | Morelia

For Chemistry

#10 in Mexico

#1672 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1540

65. University of the Valley

Colombia | Cali

For Chemistry

#1673 in the World

Founded: 1945

66. National University of Rio Cuarto

Argentina | Rio Cuarto

For Chemistry

#9 in Argentina

#1687 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1971

67. Autonomous University of the State of Morelos

Mexico | Cuernavaca

For Chemistry

#11 in Mexico

#1688 in the World

Founded: 1938

68. Federal University of Campina Grande

Brazil | Campina Grande

For Chemistry

#37 in Brazil

#1695 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 2002

69. University of Havana

For Chemistry

#1 in Cuba

#1720 in the World

Founded: 1728

70. University of the Andes, Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Chemistry

#1722 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Founded: 1949

71. Federal University of Ouro Preto

Brazil | Ouro Preto

For Chemistry

#38 in Brazil

#1727 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

72. Federal University of ABC

Brazil | Santo Andre

For Chemistry

#39 in Brazil

#1739 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 2005

73. University of the Northeast

Mexico | Tampico

For Chemistry

#12 in Mexico

#1753 in the World

Founded: 1970

74. Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Seropedica

For Chemistry

#40 in Brazil

#1791 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1910

75. Autonomous University of the State of Mexico

Mexico | Toluca

For Chemistry

#13 in Mexico

#1798 in the World

Founded: 1956

76. Industrial University of Santander

Colombia | Bucaramanga

For Chemistry

#1803 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1948

77. National University of Cuyo

Argentina | Mendoza

For Chemistry

#10 in Argentina

#1824 in the World

Founded: 1939

78. Simon Bolivar University, Venezuela

Venezuela | Caracas

For Chemistry

#2 in Venezuela

#1840 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1967

79. Federal University of Alagoas

Brazil | Maceio

For Chemistry

#41 in Brazil

#1857 in the World

Founded: 1961

80. National University of San Luis

Argentina | San Luis

For Chemistry

#11 in Argentina

#1872 in the World

Founded: 1973

81. Federal University of Piaui

Brazil | Teresina

For Chemistry

#42 in Brazil

#1874 in the World

Founded: 1973

82. Andres Bello University

Chile | Santiago

For Chemistry

#6 in Chile

#1882 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1988

83. Autonomous University of Queretaro

Mexico | Queretaro

For Chemistry

#14 in Mexico

#1887 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1951

84. University of Sonora

Mexico | Hermosillo

For Chemistry

#15 in Mexico

#1895 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1942

85. University of La Frontera

For Chemistry

#7 in Chile

#1918 in the World

Founded: 1981

86. State University of Ponta Grossa

Brazil | Ponta Grossa

For Chemistry

#43 in Brazil

#1924 in the World

Founded: 1970

87. University of the Andes

Venezuela | Merida

For Chemistry

#3 in Venezuela

#1950 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1810

88. Federico Santa Maria Technical University

Chile | Valparaiso

For Chemistry

#8 in Chile

#1966 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1931

89. Federal University of Mato Grosso

Brazil | Cuiaba

For Chemistry

#44 in Brazil

#1976 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1970

90. Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso

Chile | Valparaiso

For Chemistry

#9 in Chile

#1978 in the World

Founded: 1928

91. National University of San Martin, Argentina

Argentina | San Martin

For Chemistry

#12 in Argentina

#1983 in the World

Founded: 1992

92. University of the West Indies, Mona

For Chemistry

#2001 in the World

Enrollment: 49,092
Founded: 1948

93. University of America in Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Chemistry

#2005 in the World

Founded: 1958

94. Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo

Mexico | Pachuca

For Chemistry

#16 in Mexico

#2016 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1869

95. Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul

Brazil | Campo Grande

For Chemistry

#45 in Brazil

#2024 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

96. University of Caxias do Sul

Brazil | Caxias do Sul

For Chemistry

#46 in Brazil

#2100 in the World

Founded: 1967

97. University of Talca

For Chemistry

#10 in Chile

#2127 in the World

Founded: 1981

98. Santa Catarina State University

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Chemistry

#47 in Brazil

#2129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

99. Pontifical Javeriana University

Colombia | Bogota

For Chemistry

#2146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 1623

100. Federal University of Amazonas

Brazil | Manaus

For Chemistry

#48 in Brazil

#2160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1909

Chemistry subfields in Latin America

Biochemical Engineering70

Biochemistry386

Chemical Engineering289

Computational Chemistry136

Environmental Chemistry244

Inorganic Chemistry165

Materials Science371

Nanotechnology261

Nutrition and Food Science307

Organic Chemistry372

Petrology and Geochemistry162

Physical chemistry288

Polymer science and Plastics engineering37

Radiochemistry173