Best Universities for Mechanical Engineering in Latin America

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Latin America ranked based on their research performance in Mechanical Engineering. A graph of 2.56M citations received by 243K academic papers made by 356 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 Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Brazil

#119 in the World

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

2. State University of Campinas

Brazil | Campinas

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Brazil

#213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1966

3. National Autonomous University of Mexico

Mexico | Mexico City

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Mexico

#308 in the World

Enrollment: 360,883
Founded: 1551

4. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Mechanical Engineering

#3 in Brazil

#338 in the World

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

5. Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Mechanical Engineering

#4 in Brazil

#392 in the World

Founded: 1934

6. Sao Paulo State University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Mechanical Engineering

#5 in Brazil

#422 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Founded: 1976

7. Federal University of Santa Catarina

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Mechanical Engineering

#6 in Brazil

#439 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

8. Federal University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Mechanical Engineering

#7 in Brazil

#487 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1927

9. University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Chile

#541 in the World

Founded: 1842

10. University of Buenos Aires

Argentina | Buenos Aires

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Argentina

#585 in the World

Enrollment: 262,932
Founded: 1821

11. Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Chile

#605 in the World

Enrollment: 33,971
Founded: 1888

12. Federal University of Sao Carlos

Brazil | Sao Carlos

For Mechanical Engineering

#8 in Brazil

#615 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Founded: 1968

13. National Polytechnic Institute

Mexico | Mexico City

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Mexico

#635 in the World

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

14. Federal University of Uberlandia

Brazil | Uberlandia

For Mechanical Engineering

#9 in Brazil

#726 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1969

15. Fluminense Federal University

Brazil | Niteroi

For Mechanical Engineering

#10 in Brazil

#758 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

16. National University of Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Colombia

#795 in the World

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

17. Federal University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Mechanical Engineering

#11 in Brazil

#826 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1912

18. University of Brasilia

Brazil | Brasilia

For Mechanical Engineering

#12 in Brazil

#835 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1962

19. Monterrey Institute of Technology

Mexico | Monterrey

For Mechanical Engineering

#3 in Mexico

#836 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Enrollment: 92,736
Founded: 1943

20. Federal University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Mechanical Engineering

#13 in Brazil

#837 in the World

Founded: 1946

21. National University of La Plata

Argentina | La Plata

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Argentina

#839 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1905

22. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Mechanical Engineering

#14 in Brazil

#845 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Founded: 1941

23. Metropolitan Autonomous University

Mexico | Mexico City

For Mechanical Engineering

#4 in Mexico

#917 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Enrollment: 61,908
Founded: 1974

24. University of the Northeast

Mexico | Tampico

For Mechanical Engineering

#5 in Mexico

#920 in the World

Founded: 1970

25. Federal University of Santa Maria

Brazil | Santa Maria

For Mechanical Engineering

#15 in Brazil

#970 in the World

Founded: 1960

26. Federal University of Ceara

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Mechanical Engineering

#16 in Brazil

#1000 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1954

27. Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

Brazil | Natal

For Mechanical Engineering

#17 in Brazil

#1024 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Founded: 1958

28. Federal University of Technology - Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Mechanical Engineering

#18 in Brazil

#1080 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1909

29. University of America in Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Colombia

#1103 in the World

Founded: 1958

30. Federal University of Paraiba

Brazil | Joao Pessoa

For Mechanical Engineering

#19 in Brazil

#1108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1955

31. University of Concepcion

Chile | Concepcion

For Mechanical Engineering

#3 in Chile

#1112 in the World

Founded: 1920

32. University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Mechanical Engineering

#20 in Brazil

#1124 in the World

Founded: 1950

33. University of Guanajuato

Mexico | Guanajuato

For Mechanical Engineering

#6 in Mexico

#1140 in the World

Enrollment: 44,503
Founded: 1945

34. Federal University of Sao Paulo

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Mechanical Engineering

#21 in Brazil

#1182 in the World

Founded: 1933

35. Federico Santa Maria Technical University

Chile | Valparaiso

For Mechanical Engineering

#4 in Chile

#1212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1931

36. Federal University of Bahia

Brazil | Salvador

For Mechanical Engineering

#22 in Brazil

#1213 in the World

Founded: 1946

37. National University of Cordoba

Argentina | Cordoba

For Mechanical Engineering

#3 in Argentina

#1237 in the World

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

38. University of Santiago de Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Mechanical Engineering

#5 in Chile

#1239 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1849

39. University of Costa Rica

Costa Rica | San Jose

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Costa Rica

#1294 in the World

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

40. University of Antioquia

Colombia | Medellin

For Mechanical Engineering

#3 in Colombia

#1307 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1803

41. Federal University of Goias

Brazil | Goiania

For Mechanical Engineering

#23 in Brazil

#1325 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 1960

42. University of the Republic

Uruguay | Montevideo

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Uruguay

#1327 in the World

Enrollment: 209,129
Founded: 1833

43. Federal University of Itajuba

Brazil | Itajuba

For Mechanical Engineering

#24 in Brazil

#1352 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1913

44. Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon

Mexico | San Nicolas de los Garza

For Mechanical Engineering

#7 in Mexico

#1364 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1933

45. Federal University of Vicosa

Brazil | Vicosa

For Mechanical Engineering

#25 in Brazil

#1393 in the World

Founded: 1922

46. Federal University of Para

Brazil | Belem

For Mechanical Engineering

#26 in Brazil

#1423 in the World

Founded: 1957

47. Federal University of Campina Grande

Brazil | Campina Grande

For Mechanical Engineering

#27 in Brazil

#1432 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 2002

48. University of the Andes, Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Mechanical Engineering

#4 in Colombia

#1440 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Founded: 1949

49. Federal University of Espirito Santo

Brazil | Vitoria

For Mechanical Engineering

#28 in Brazil

#1442 in the World

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

50. University of Guadalajara

Mexico | Guadalajara

For Mechanical Engineering

#8 in Mexico

#1462 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Founded: 1792

51. Simon Bolivar University, Venezuela

Venezuela | Caracas

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Venezuela

#1482 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1967

52. University of the Valley

Colombia | Cali

For Mechanical Engineering

#5 in Colombia

#1498 in the World

Founded: 1945

53. National University of Mar del Plata

Argentina | Mar del Plata

For Mechanical Engineering

#4 in Argentina

#1499 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1975

54. Michoacan University of Saint Nicholas of Hidalgo

Mexico | Morelia

For Mechanical Engineering

#9 in Mexico

#1507 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1540

55. Federal Foundation University of Rio Grande

Brazil | Rio Grande

For Mechanical Engineering

#29 in Brazil

#1509 in the World

Founded: 1969

56. Pontifical Catholic University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Mechanical Engineering

#30 in Brazil

#1545 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1959

57. National University of the South

Argentina | Bahia Blanca

For Mechanical Engineering

#5 in Argentina

#1551 in the World

Founded: 1956

58. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Mechanical Engineering

#31 in Brazil

#1555 in the World

Founded: 1948

59. Federal University of ABC

Brazil | Santo Andre

For Mechanical Engineering

#32 in Brazil

#1560 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 2005

60. State University of Maringa

Brazil | Maringa

For Mechanical Engineering

#33 in Brazil

#1562 in the World

Founded: 1970

61. Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Brazil | Juiz de Fora

For Mechanical Engineering

#34 in Brazil

#1684 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1960

62. Central University of Venezuela

Venezuela | Caracas

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Venezuela

#1690 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1721

63. Autonomous University of Puebla

Mexico | Delicias

For Mechanical Engineering

#10 in Mexico

#1691 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Founded: 1587

64. Pontifical Javeriana University

Colombia | Bogota

For Mechanical Engineering

#6 in Colombia

#1713 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 1623

65. Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso

Chile | Valparaiso

For Mechanical Engineering

#6 in Chile

#1718 in the World

Founded: 1928

66. National University of Rosario

Argentina | Rosario

For Mechanical Engineering

#6 in Argentina

#1737 in the World

Founded: 1968

67. Federal University of Pelotas

Brazil | Pelotas

For Mechanical Engineering

#35 in Brazil

#1742 in the World

Founded: 1969

68. Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi

Mexico | San Luis Potosi

For Mechanical Engineering

#11 in Mexico

#1783 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1859

69. National University of Litoral

Argentina | Santa Fe

For Mechanical Engineering

#7 in Argentina

#1810 in the World

Founded: 1919

70. Santa Catarina State University

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Mechanical Engineering

#36 in Brazil

#1822 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

71. Autonomous University of Queretaro

Mexico | Queretaro

For Mechanical Engineering

#12 in Mexico

#1848 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1951

72. Autonomous University of the State of Morelos

Mexico | Cuernavaca

For Mechanical Engineering

#13 in Mexico

#1868 in the World

Founded: 1938

73. State University of Londrina

Brazil | Londrina

For Mechanical Engineering

#37 in Brazil

#1869 in the World

Founded: 1970

74. Pontifical Catholic University of Peru

Peru | Lima

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Peru

#1877 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1917

75. University of the Andes

Venezuela | Merida

For Mechanical Engineering

#3 in Venezuela

#1890 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1810

76. Pontificia Bolivariana University

Colombia | Medellin

For Mechanical Engineering

#7 in Colombia

#1927 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1937

77. Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Mechanical Engineering

#38 in Brazil

#1931 in the World

Founded: 1958

78. Federal University of Alagoas

Brazil | Maceio

For Mechanical Engineering

#39 in Brazil

#1968 in the World

Founded: 1961

79. Autonomous University of the State of Mexico

Mexico | Toluca

For Mechanical Engineering

#14 in Mexico

#2021 in the World

Founded: 1956

80. University of Havana

Cuba | Havana

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Cuba

#2022 in the World

Founded: 1728

81. University of the Rio dos Sinos Valley

Brazil | Sao Leopoldo

For Mechanical Engineering

#40 in Brazil

#2074 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Enrollment: 23,988
Founded: 1969

82. Federal University of Ouro Preto

Brazil | Ouro Preto

For Mechanical Engineering

#41 in Brazil

#2080 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

83. Federal University of Lavras

Brazil | Lavras

For Mechanical Engineering

#42 in Brazil

#2100 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1908

84. University of Veracruz

Mexico | Xalapa

For Mechanical Engineering

#15 in Mexico

#2132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1944

85. National Technological University

Argentina | Buenos Aires

For Mechanical Engineering

#8 in Argentina

#2155 in the World

Founded: 1959

86. National University of Rio Cuarto

Argentina | Rio Cuarto

For Mechanical Engineering

#9 in Argentina

#2157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1971

87. Federal University of Amazonas

Brazil | Manaus

For Mechanical Engineering

#43 in Brazil

#2188 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1909

88. Autonomous University of Baja California

Mexico | Mexicali

For Mechanical Engineering

#16 in Mexico

#2195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 67,944
Founded: 1957

89. University of La Frontera

Chile | Temuco

For Mechanical Engineering

#7 in Chile

#2198 in the World

Founded: 1981

90. Federal University of Sao Joao del-Rei

Brazil | Sao Joao del-Rei

For Mechanical Engineering

#44 in Brazil

#2213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 12,446
Founded: 1987

91. Industrial University of Santander

Colombia | Bucaramanga

For Mechanical Engineering

#8 in Colombia

#2264 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1948

92. National University of San Juan

Argentina | San Juan

For Mechanical Engineering

#10 in Argentina

#2300 in the World

Founded: 1973

93. Federal University of Sergipe

Brazil | Sao Cristovao

For Mechanical Engineering

#45 in Brazil

#2326 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1963

94. Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo

Mexico | Pachuca

For Mechanical Engineering

#17 in Mexico

#2330 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1869

95. Andres Bello University

Chile | Santiago

For Mechanical Engineering

#8 in Chile

#2355 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1988

96. University of Ribeirao Preto

Brazil | Ribeirao Preto

For Mechanical Engineering

#46 in Brazil

#2356 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Founded: 1924

97. Federal University of Mato Grosso

Brazil | Cuiaba

For Mechanical Engineering

#47 in Brazil

#2376 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1970

98. EAFIT University

Colombia | Medellin

For Mechanical Engineering

#9 in Colombia

#2377 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Enrollment: 2,868
Founded: 1960

99. Federal University of Maranhao

Brazil | Sao Luis

For Mechanical Engineering

#48 in Brazil

#2378 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1966

100. National University of San Luis

Argentina | San Luis

For Mechanical Engineering

#11 in Argentina

#2380 in the World

Founded: 1973

Engineering subfields in Latin America

Acoustical Engineering251

Aerospace Engineering252

Agricultural Engineering79

Applied/Engineering Physics27

Architectural Engineering38

Architecture60

Automation and Control engineering96

Automotive Engineering98

Aviation26

Biochemical Engineering57

Biomedical Engineering69

Biotechnology229

Chemical Engineering273

Civil Engineering188

Computer Engineering83

Computer Networking243

Construction Management29

Electrical Engineering304

Electronic Engineering186

Engineering Management40

Environmental Engineering174

Firefighting and Fire Science28

Geotechnical Engineering207

Human-Computer Interaction197

Industrial Engineering30

Landscape Architecture39

Marine Engineering24

Materials Science360

Metallurgical Engineering309

Mining Engineering33

Nanotechnology237

Nuclear Engineering22

Operations Research86

Optical Engineering335

Petroleum Engineering51

Polymer science and Plastics engineering37

Product and Industrial Design24

Reliability and Quality Engineering86

Remote Sensing114

Renewable Energy Engineering129

Robotics65

Structural Engineering204

Systems Engineering165

Technical Drawing17

Telecommunications269

Transportation Engineering57