List of 100 best universities in Brazil

Ranking by academic field

We ranked 100 best universities in Brazil based on their reputation, research performance, and alumni impact. We processed 17.7M citations received by 1.54M publications made by 198 universities in Brazil, measured the popularity of 1,120 recognized alumni, and utilized the largest available links database (to compare non-academic prominence).

University of Sao Paulo

#1 in Brazil

#1 in Latin America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Enrollment: 97,964
Founded: 1827

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

#2 in Brazil

#3 in Latin America

#227 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Enrollment: 67,329
Founded: 1920

State University of Campinas

#3 in Brazil

#5 in Latin America

#254 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Enrollment: 32,500
Founded: 1966

Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

#4 in Brazil

#6 in Latin America

#262 in the World

Enrollment: 27,500
Founded: 1934

Federal University of Minas Gerais

#5 in Brazil

#7 in Latin America

#285 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1927

Sao Paulo State University

#6 in Brazil

#9 in Latin America

#352 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 37,500
Founded: 1976

Federal University of Santa Catarina

#7 in Brazil

#11 in Latin America

#420 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 32,500
Founded: 1960

University of Brasilia

#8 in Brazil

#12 in Latin America

#474 in the World

Enrollment: 37,500
Founded: 1962

Federal University of Parana

#9 in Brazil

#14 in Latin America

#494 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Enrollment: 27,500
Founded: 1912

University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

#10 in Brazil

#18 in Latin America

#620 in the World

Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1950

Federal University of Pernambuco

#11 in Brazil

#19 in Latin America

#646 in the World

Enrollment: 32,500
Founded: 1946

Fluminense Federal University

#12 in Brazil

#20 in Latin America

#660 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1960

Federal University of Bahia

#13 in Brazil

#21 in Latin America

#669 in the World

Enrollment: 37,500
Founded: 1946

Federal University of Sao Paulo

#14 in Brazil

#22 in Latin America

#676 in the World

Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1933

Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

#15 in Brazil

#25 in Latin America

#704 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1941

Federal University of Ceara

#16 in Brazil

#27 in Latin America

#743 in the World

Enrollment: 27,500
Founded: 1954

Federal University of Santa Maria

#17 in Brazil

#30 in Latin America

#794 in the World

Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1960

Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul

#18 in Brazil

#31 in Latin America

#796 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 27,500
Founded: 1948

Federal University of Sao Carlos

#19 in Brazil

#34 in Latin America

#823 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1968

Federal University of Paraiba

#20 in Brazil

#35 in Latin America

#832 in the World

Enrollment: 27,500
Founded: 1955

Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

#21 in Brazil

#37 in Latin America

#850 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 27,500
Founded: 1958

Federal University of Goias

#22 in Brazil

#40 in Latin America

#958 in the World

Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1960

Federal University of Vicosa

#23 in Brazil

#42 in Latin America

#971 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1922

Federal University of Para

#24 in Brazil

#43 in Latin America

#1008 in the World

Enrollment: 37,500
Founded: 1957

State University of Londrina

#25 in Brazil

#44 in Latin America

#1012 in the World

Founded: 1970

State University of Maringa

#26 in Brazil

#46 in Latin America

#1044 in the World

Founded: 1970

Federal University of Pelotas

#27 in Brazil

#48 in Latin America

#1060 in the World

Enrollment: 17,500
Founded: 1969

Federal University of Juiz de Fora

#28 in Brazil

#49 in Latin America

#1092 in the World

Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1960

Federal University of Espirito Santo

#29 in Brazil

#50 in Latin America

#1106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 23,744
Founded: 1954

Pontifical Catholic University of Parana

#30 in Brazil

#54 in Latin America

#1206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Enrollment: 32,500
Founded: 1959

Federal University of Uberlandia

#31 in Brazil

#55 in Latin America

#1216 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1969

Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo

#32 in Brazil

#56 in Latin America

#1228 in the World

Enrollment: 32,500
Founded: 1946

University of the Rio dos Sinos Valley

#33 in Brazil

#59 in Latin America

#1282 in the World

Enrollment: 23,988
Founded: 1969

Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais

#34 in Brazil

#62 in Latin America

#1384 in the World

Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1958

Mackenzie Presbyterian University

#35 in Brazil

#70 in Latin America

#1510 in the World

Enrollment: 42,500
Founded: 1952

Federal University of Sergipe

#36 in Brazil

#76 in Latin America

#1564 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Enrollment: 27,500
Founded: 1963

Federal University of Mato Grosso

#37 in Brazil

#77 in Latin America

#1587 in the World

Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1970

Federal University of Amazonas

#38 in Brazil

#79 in Latin America

#1610 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Enrollment: 27,500
Founded: 1909

Federal University of ABC

#39 in Brazil

#80 in Latin America

#1623 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 2005

Federal University of Piaui

#40 in Brazil

#84 in Latin America

#1687 in the World

Enrollment: 32,500
Founded: 1973

Federal University of Alagoas

#41 in Brazil

#85 in Latin America

#1689 in the World

Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1961

Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul

#42 in Brazil

#86 in Latin America

#1711 in the World

Enrollment: 17,500
Founded: 1969

Federal University of Maranhao

#43 in Brazil

#87 in Latin America

#1722 in the World

Enrollment: 37,500
Founded: 1966

University of Caxias do Sul

#44 in Brazil

#88 in Latin America

#1729 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1967

State University of Ponta Grossa

#45 in Brazil

#98 in Latin America

#1801 in the World

Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1970

Federal University of Technology - Parana

#46 in Brazil

#105 in Latin America

#1879 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Enrollment: 27,500
Founded: 1909

Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro

#47 in Brazil

#106 in Latin America

#1886 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 17,500
Founded: 1910

Federal University of Ouro Preto

#48 in Brazil

#108 in Latin America

#1899 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1969

Rio de Janeiro State Federal University

#49 in Brazil

#113 in Latin America

#1986 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1969

Federal Rural University of Pernambuco

#50 in Brazil

#117 in Latin America

#2050 in the World

Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1912

State University of Ceara

#51 in Brazil

#125 in Latin America

#2183 in the World

Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1975

State University of Feira de Santana

Feira de Santana

#52 in Brazil

#126 in Latin America

#2186 in the World

Enrollment: 7,500
Founded: 1976

Lutheran University of Brazil

#53 in Brazil

#127 in Latin America

#2194 in the World

Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1972

State University of Paraiba

#54 in Brazil

#128 in Latin America

#2219 in the World

Founded: 1966

Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas

#55 in Brazil

#133 in Latin America

#2281 in the World

Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1941

University of Passo Fundo

#56 in Brazil

#134 in Latin America

#2285 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1968

Western Parana State University

#57 in Brazil

#136 in Latin America

#2299 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1994

Santa Catarina State University

#58 in Brazil

#140 in Latin America

#2346 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1965

University of Fortaleza

#59 in Brazil

#145 in Latin America

#2399 in the World

Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1973

Estacio de Sa University

#60 in Brazil

#149 in Latin America

#2453 in the World

Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1970

Federal University of Lavras

#61 in Brazil

#153 in Latin America

#2507 in the World

Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1908

Methodist University of Sao Paulo

Sao Bernardo do Campo

#62 in Brazil

#155 in Latin America

#2517 in the World

Founded: 1970

Federal University of Campina Grande

#63 in Brazil

#156 in Latin America

#2523 in the World

Enrollment: 17,500
Founded: 2002

Federal University of Sao Joao del-Rei

Sao Joao del Rei

#64 in Brazil

#164 in Latin America

#2617 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 12,446
Founded: 1987

Pontifical Catholic University of Goias

#65 in Brazil

#169 in Latin America

#2662 in the World

Enrollment: 27,500
Founded: 1959

Catholic University of Brasilia

#66 in Brazil

#173 in Latin America

#2677 in the World

Enrollment: 17,500
Founded: 1974

University of Pernambuco

#67 in Brazil

#182 in Latin America

#2808 in the World

Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1990

Federal University of Itajuba

#68 in Brazil

#187 in Latin America

#2868 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 7,500
Founded: 1913

State University of Santa Cruz

#69 in Brazil

#189 in Latin America

#2884 in the World

Founded: 1972

State University of Southwest Bahia

Vitoria da Conquista

#70 in Brazil

#195 in Latin America

#3006 in the World

Founded: 1980

Catholic University of Pernambuco

#71 in Brazil

#206 in Latin America

#3163 in the World

Enrollment: 17,500
Founded: 1951

Catholic University Dom Bosco

#72 in Brazil

#216 in Latin America

#3273 in the World

Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1961

Federal University of Roraima

#73 in Brazil

#222 in Latin America

#3347 in the World

Enrollment: 6,500
Founded: 1989

Federal University of Acre

#74 in Brazil

#226 in Latin America

#3376 in the World

Enrollment: 9,500
Founded: 1964

Federal University of Rondonia

#75 in Brazil

#227 in Latin America

#3378 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1982

University of Taubate

#76 in Brazil

#229 in Latin America

#3392 in the World

Enrollment: 17,500
Founded: 1974

Federal University of Amapa

#77 in Brazil

#231 in Latin America

#3402 in the World

Enrollment: 9,500
Founded: 1990

Federal University of Reconcavo da Bahia

#78 in Brazil

#237 in Latin America

#3454 in the World

Enrollment: 9,500
Founded: 2005

State University of Goias

#79 in Brazil

#243 in Latin America

#3539 in the World

Founded: 1999

Minas Gerais State University

#80 in Brazil

#244 in Latin America

#3556 in the World

Enrollment: 22,500
Founded: 1989

Federal University of Tocantins

#81 in Brazil

#247 in Latin America

#3603 in the World

Enrollment: 17,500
Founded: 2000

University of Santa Cruz do Sul

Santa Cruz do Sul

#82 in Brazil

#253 in Latin America

#3694 in the World

Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1993

Anhembi Morumbi University

#83 in Brazil

#254 in Latin America

#3711 in the World

Enrollment: 27,500
Founded: 1972

State University of Montes Claros

#84 in Brazil

#258 in Latin America

#3736 in the World

Founded: 1962

Federal University of Grande Dourados

#85 in Brazil

#264 in Latin America

#3807 in the World

Enrollment: 7,500
Founded: 2005

Federal Foundation University of Rio Grande

#86 in Brazil

#270 in Latin America

#3858 in the World

Enrollment: 9,500
Founded: 1969

Sao Francisco University

Braganca Paulista

#87 in Brazil

#274 in Latin America

#3897 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Founded: 1976

Nove de Julho University

#88 in Brazil

#275 in Latin America

#3909 in the World

Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1972

Positivo University

#89 in Brazil

#278 in Latin America

#3970 in the World

Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1988

Federal Rural University of the Semiarid Region

#90 in Brazil

#279 in Latin America

#3974 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 9,500
Founded: 1967

University of the Extreme South of Santa Catarina

#91 in Brazil

#281 in Latin America

#4001 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1968

Feevale University

#92 in Brazil

#283 in Latin America

#4013 in the World

Enrollment: 17,500
Founded: 1969

Catholic University of Pelotas

#93 in Brazil

#287 in Latin America

#4081 in the World

Founded: 1960

University of Northern Parana

#94 in Brazil

#289 in Latin America

#4096 in the World

Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1972

University of Taquari Valley

#95 in Brazil

#298 in Latin America

#4206 in the World

Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 1969

State University of Piaui

#96 in Brazil

#299 in Latin America

#4207 in the World

Enrollment: 27,500
Founded: 1988

Federal University of Pampa

#97 in Brazil

#302 in Latin America

#4232 in the World

Enrollment: 12,500
Founded: 2006

Salvador University

#98 in Brazil

#308 in Latin America

#4353 in the World

Founded: 1997

Catholic University of Santos

#99 in Brazil

#310 in Latin America

#4369 in the World

Founded: 1986

University of Mogi das Cruzes

Mogi das Cruzes

#100 in Brazil

#311 in Latin America

#4391 in the World

Enrollment: 17,500
Founded: 1962

The best cities to study in Brazil based on the number of universities and their ranks are Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Campinas, and Porto Alegre.

Average cost of living for students in Brazil is $378 + $40-288 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).