Best Universities for Mechanical Engineering 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 Mechanical Engineering. A graph of 4.09M citations received by 286K academic papers made by 369 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

#108 in the World

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

2. State University of Campinas

Brazil | Campinas

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Brazil

#221 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1966

3. National Autonomous University of Mexico

Mexico | Mexico City

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Mexico

#314 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

#328 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

#376 in the World

Founded: 1934

6. Sao Paulo State University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Mechanical Engineering

#5 in Brazil

#410 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Founded: 1976

7. Federal University of Santa Catarina

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Mechanical Engineering

#6 in Brazil

#431 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

8. National Polytechnic Institute

Mexico | Mexico City

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Mexico

#469 in the World

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

9. Federal University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Mechanical Engineering

#7 in Brazil

#476 in the World

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

10. University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Chile

#543 in the World

Founded: 1842

11. Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Chile

#573 in the World

Enrollment: 33,971
Founded: 1888

12. University of Buenos Aires

Argentina | Buenos Aires

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Argentina

#597 in the World

Enrollment: 262,932
Founded: 1821

13. Federal University of Sao Carlos

Brazil | Sao Carlos

For Mechanical Engineering

#8 in Brazil

#607 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Founded: 1968

14. Federal University of Uberlandia

Brazil | Uberlandia

For Mechanical Engineering

#9 in Brazil

#703 in the World

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

15. Fluminense Federal University

Brazil | Niteroi

For Mechanical Engineering

#10 in Brazil

#745 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

16. Monterrey Institute of Technology

Mexico | Monterrey

For Mechanical Engineering

#3 in Mexico

#769 in the World

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

17. National University of Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Colombia

#776 in the World

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

18. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Mechanical Engineering

#11 in Brazil

#800 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Founded: 1941

19. University of Brasilia

Brazil | Brasilia

For Mechanical Engineering

#12 in Brazil

#806 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1962

20. Federal University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Mechanical Engineering

#13 in Brazil

#826 in the World

Founded: 1946

21. Federal University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Mechanical Engineering

#14 in Brazil

#842 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1912

22. National University of La Plata

Argentina | La Plata

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Argentina

#856 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1905

23. Federal University of Santa Maria

Brazil | Santa Maria

For Mechanical Engineering

#15 in Brazil

#941 in the World

Founded: 1960

24. Federal University of Ceara

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Mechanical Engineering

#16 in Brazil

#950 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1954

25. Metropolitan Autonomous University

Mexico | Mexico City

For Mechanical Engineering

#4 in Mexico

#968 in the World

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

26. University of the Northeast

Mexico | Tampico

For Mechanical Engineering

#5 in Mexico

#1007 in the World

Founded: 1970

27. Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

Brazil | Natal

For Mechanical Engineering

#17 in Brazil

#1023 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Founded: 1958

28. Federal University of Technology - Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Mechanical Engineering

#18 in Brazil

#1033 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1909

29. University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Mechanical Engineering

#19 in Brazil

#1110 in the World

Founded: 1950

30. Federal University of Paraiba

Brazil | Joao Pessoa

For Mechanical Engineering

#20 in Brazil

#1132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1955

31. Federal University of Sao Paulo

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Mechanical Engineering

#21 in Brazil

#1142 in the World

Founded: 1933

32. University of Concepcion

Chile | Concepcion

For Mechanical Engineering

#3 in Chile

#1146 in the World

Founded: 1920

33. University of Guanajuato

Mexico | Guanajuato

For Mechanical Engineering

#6 in Mexico

#1186 in the World

Enrollment: 44,503
Founded: 1945

34. Federal University of Bahia

Brazil | Salvador

For Mechanical Engineering

#22 in Brazil

#1204 in the World

Founded: 1946

35. University of Antioquia

Colombia | Medellin

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Colombia

#1272 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1803

36. National University of Cordoba

Argentina | Cordoba

For Mechanical Engineering

#3 in Argentina

#1287 in the World

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

37. University of Santiago de Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Mechanical Engineering

#4 in Chile

#1288 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1849

38. Federal University of Goias

Brazil | Goiania

For Mechanical Engineering

#23 in Brazil

#1294 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 1960

39. University of the Republic

Uruguay | Montevideo

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Uruguay

#1300 in the World

Enrollment: 209,129
Founded: 1833

40. Federal University of Itajuba

Brazil | Itajuba

For Mechanical Engineering

#24 in Brazil

#1316 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1913

41. Federico Santa Maria Technical University

Chile | Valparaiso

For Mechanical Engineering

#5 in Chile

#1324 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1931

42. University of Costa Rica

Costa Rica | San Jose

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Costa Rica

#1336 in the World

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

43. University of the Andes, Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Mechanical Engineering

#3 in Colombia

#1367 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Founded: 1949

44. Federal University of Vicosa

Brazil | Vicosa

For Mechanical Engineering

#25 in Brazil

#1377 in the World

Founded: 1922

45. University of America in Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Mechanical Engineering

#4 in Colombia

#1390 in the World

Founded: 1958

46. Federal University of Espirito Santo

Brazil | Vitoria

For Mechanical Engineering

#26 in Brazil

#1404 in the World

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

47. Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon

Mexico | San Nicolas de los Garza

For Mechanical Engineering

#7 in Mexico

#1410 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1933

48. University of Guadalajara

Mexico | Guadalajara

For Mechanical Engineering

#8 in Mexico

#1425 in the World

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

49. Federal University of Para

Brazil | Belem

For Mechanical Engineering

#27 in Brazil

#1431 in the World

Founded: 1957

50. Federal University of Campina Grande

Brazil | Campina Grande

For Mechanical Engineering

#28 in Brazil

#1437 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 2002

51. University of the Valley

Colombia | Cali

For Mechanical Engineering

#5 in Colombia

#1467 in the World

Founded: 1945

52. Federal Foundation University of Rio Grande

Brazil | Rio Grande

For Mechanical Engineering

#29 in Brazil

#1484 in the World

Founded: 1969

53. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Mechanical Engineering

#30 in Brazil

#1554 in the World

Founded: 1948

54. Federal University of ABC

Brazil | Santo Andre

For Mechanical Engineering

#31 in Brazil

#1566 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 2005

55. State University of Maringa

Brazil | Maringa

For Mechanical Engineering

#32 in Brazil

#1577 in the World

Founded: 1970

56. Michoacan University of Saint Nicholas of Hidalgo

Mexico | Morelia

For Mechanical Engineering

#9 in Mexico

#1579 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1540

57. National University of Mar del Plata

Argentina | Mar del Plata

For Mechanical Engineering

#4 in Argentina

#1584 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1975

58. Pontifical Catholic University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Mechanical Engineering

#33 in Brazil

#1592 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1959

59. Simon Bolivar University, Venezuela

Venezuela | Caracas

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Venezuela

#1630 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1967

60. National University of the South

Argentina | Bahia Blanca

For Mechanical Engineering

#5 in Argentina

#1634 in the World

Founded: 1956

61. Pontifical Javeriana University

Colombia | Bogota

For Mechanical Engineering

#6 in Colombia

#1671 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 1623

62. Federal University of Pelotas

Brazil | Pelotas

For Mechanical Engineering

#34 in Brazil

#1687 in the World

Founded: 1969

63. Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Brazil | Juiz de Fora

For Mechanical Engineering

#35 in Brazil

#1737 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1960

64. Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso

Chile | Valparaiso

For Mechanical Engineering

#6 in Chile

#1788 in the World

Founded: 1928

65. Autonomous University of Puebla

Mexico | Delicias

For Mechanical Engineering

#10 in Mexico

#1807 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Founded: 1587

66. Central University of Venezuela

Venezuela | Caracas

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Venezuela

#1810 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1721

67. Autonomous University of the State of Morelos

Mexico | Cuernavaca

For Mechanical Engineering

#11 in Mexico

#1827 in the World

Founded: 1938

68. Santa Catarina State University

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Mechanical Engineering

#36 in Brazil

#1830 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

69. Pontifical Catholic University of Peru

Peru | Lima

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Peru

#1856 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1917

70. Autonomous University of Queretaro

Mexico | Queretaro

For Mechanical Engineering

#12 in Mexico

#1861 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1951

71. National University of Rosario

Argentina | Rosario

For Mechanical Engineering

#6 in Argentina

#1868 in the World

Founded: 1968

72. Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi

Mexico | San Luis Potosi

For Mechanical Engineering

#13 in Mexico

#1881 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1859

73. State University of Londrina

Brazil | Londrina

For Mechanical Engineering

#37 in Brazil

#1892 in the World

Founded: 1970

74. National University of Litoral

Argentina | Santa Fe

For Mechanical Engineering

#7 in Argentina

#1916 in the World

Founded: 1919

75. National Polytechnic School, Ecuador

Ecuador | Quito

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Ecuador

#1946 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1869

76. Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Mechanical Engineering

#38 in Brazil

#1972 in the World

Founded: 1958

77. Federal University of Lavras

Brazil | Lavras

For Mechanical Engineering

#39 in Brazil

#1985 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1908

78. Pontificia Bolivariana University

Colombia | Medellin

For Mechanical Engineering

#7 in Colombia

#2017 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1937

79. University of the Rio dos Sinos Valley

Brazil | Sao Leopoldo

For Mechanical Engineering

#40 in Brazil

#2033 in the World

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

80. Federal University of Ouro Preto

Brazil | Ouro Preto

For Mechanical Engineering

#41 in Brazil

#2042 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

81. Federal University of Alagoas

Brazil | Maceio

For Mechanical Engineering

#42 in Brazil

#2073 in the World

Founded: 1961

82. Autonomous University of the State of Mexico

Mexico | Toluca

For Mechanical Engineering

#14 in Mexico

#2083 in the World

Founded: 1956

83. Federal University of Amazonas

Brazil | Manaus

For Mechanical Engineering

#43 in Brazil

#2095 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1909

84. University of Havana

Cuba | Havana

For Mechanical Engineering

#1 in Cuba

#2110 in the World

Founded: 1728

85. University of Veracruz

Mexico | Xalapa

For Mechanical Engineering

#15 in Mexico

#2124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1944

86. University of Ribeirao Preto

Brazil | Ribeirao Preto

For Mechanical Engineering

#44 in Brazil

#2184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Founded: 1924

87. National Technological University

Argentina | Buenos Aires

For Mechanical Engineering

#8 in Argentina

#2185 in the World

Founded: 1959

88. Federal University of Sao Joao del-Rei

Brazil | Sao Joao del-Rei

For Mechanical Engineering

#45 in Brazil

#2193 in the World

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

89. ESPOL Polytechnic University

Ecuador | Guayaquil

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Ecuador

#2216 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1958

90. University of La Frontera

Chile | Temuco

For Mechanical Engineering

#7 in Chile

#2237 in the World

Founded: 1981

91. University of the Andes

Venezuela | Merida

For Mechanical Engineering

#3 in Venezuela

#2264 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1810

92. EAFIT University

Colombia | Medellin

For Mechanical Engineering

#8 in Colombia

#2265 in the World

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

93. National University of Rio Cuarto

Argentina | Rio Cuarto

For Mechanical Engineering

#9 in Argentina

#2287 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1971

94. Industrial University of Santander

Colombia | Bucaramanga

For Mechanical Engineering

#9 in Colombia

#2294 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1948

95. Autonomous University of Baja California

Mexico | Mexicali

For Mechanical Engineering

#16 in Mexico

#2304 in the World

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

96. Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo

Mexico | Pachuca

For Mechanical Engineering

#17 in Mexico

#2323 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1869

97. Northern University

Colombia | Barranquilla

For Mechanical Engineering

#10 in Colombia

#2325 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Founded: 1966

98. Federal University of Sergipe

Brazil | Sao Cristovao

For Mechanical Engineering

#46 in Brazil

#2358 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1963

99. National Major San Marcos University

Peru | Lima

For Mechanical Engineering

#2 in Peru

#2366 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 32,399
Founded: 1551

100. Southern University of Chile

Chile | Valdivia

For Mechanical Engineering

#8 in Chile

#2384 in the World

Founded: 1954

Engineering subfields in Latin America

Acoustical Engineering277

Aerospace Engineering282

Agricultural Engineering68

Applied/Engineering Physics41

Architectural Engineering54

Architecture70

Automation and Control engineering103

Automotive Engineering114

Aviation23

Biochemical Engineering70

Biomedical Engineering84

Biotechnology251

Chemical Engineering289

Civil Engineering211

Computer Engineering90

Computer Networking269

Construction Management34

Electrical Engineering324

Electronic Engineering194

Engineering Management52

Environmental Engineering196

Firefighting and Fire Science30

Geotechnical Engineering229

Human-Computer Interaction221

Industrial Engineering29

Landscape Architecture23

Marine Engineering31

Materials Science371

Metallurgical Engineering323

Mining Engineering36

Nanotechnology261

Nuclear Engineering28

Operations Research97

Optical Engineering343

Petroleum Engineering58

Polymer science and Plastics engineering37

Product and Industrial Design26

Reliability and Quality Engineering99

Remote Sensing133

Renewable Energy Engineering143

Robotics70

Structural Engineering230

Systems Engineering183

Technical Drawing19

Telecommunications281

Transportation Engineering70