Best Universities for Sociology 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 Sociology. A graph of 10.4M citations received by 845K academic papers made by 417 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 Sociology

#1 in Brazil

#35 in the World

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

2. Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Sociology

#2 in Brazil

#129 in the World

Founded: 1934

3. State University of Campinas

Brazil | Campinas

For Sociology

#3 in Brazil

#153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1966

4. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Sociology

#4 in Brazil

#185 in the World

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

5. Federal University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Sociology

#5 in Brazil

#191 in the World

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

6. Sao Paulo State University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Sociology

#6 in Brazil

#199 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Founded: 1976

7. National Autonomous University of Mexico

Mexico | Mexico City

For Sociology

#1 in Mexico

#211 in the World

Enrollment: 360,883
Founded: 1551

8. Federal University of Santa Catarina

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Sociology

#7 in Brazil

#221 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

9. University of Brasilia

Brazil | Brasilia

For Sociology

#8 in Brazil

#229 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1962

10. University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Sociology

#9 in Brazil

#306 in the World

Founded: 1950

11. University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Sociology

#1 in Chile

#346 in the World

Founded: 1842

12. Federal University of Bahia

Brazil | Salvador

For Sociology

#10 in Brazil

#361 in the World

Founded: 1946

13. Federal University of Sao Paulo

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Sociology

#11 in Brazil

#369 in the World

Founded: 1933

14. University of Buenos Aires

Argentina | Buenos Aires

For Sociology

#1 in Argentina

#370 in the World

Enrollment: 262,932
Founded: 1821

15. Federal University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Sociology

#12 in Brazil

#379 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1912

16. Federal University of Pelotas

Brazil | Pelotas

For Sociology

#13 in Brazil

#383 in the World

Founded: 1969

17. Fluminense Federal University

Brazil | Niteroi

For Sociology

#14 in Brazil

#396 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

18. Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Sociology

#2 in Chile

#401 in the World

Enrollment: 33,971
Founded: 1888

19. Federal University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Sociology

#15 in Brazil

#427 in the World

Founded: 1946

20. Federal University of Sao Carlos

Brazil | Sao Carlos

For Sociology

#16 in Brazil

#432 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Founded: 1968

21. Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Sociology

#17 in Brazil

#474 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1946

22. Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

For Sociology

#18 in Brazil

#496 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Founded: 1958

23. Federal University of Paraiba

Brazil | Joao Pessoa

For Sociology

#19 in Brazil

#518 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1955

24. Federal University of Ceara

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Sociology

#20 in Brazil

#529 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1954

25. National University of Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Sociology

#559 in the World

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

26. Federal University of Santa Maria

Brazil | Santa Maria

For Sociology

#21 in Brazil

#560 in the World

Founded: 1960

27. Federal University of Goias

Brazil | Goiania

For Sociology

#22 in Brazil

#564 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 1960

28. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Sociology

#23 in Brazil

#584 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Founded: 1941

29. Federal University of Espirito Santo

Brazil | Vitoria

For Sociology

#24 in Brazil

#600 in the World

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

30. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Sociology

#25 in Brazil

#616 in the World

Founded: 1948

31. University of the Rio dos Sinos Valley

Brazil | Sao Leopoldo

For Sociology

#26 in Brazil

#640 in the World

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

32. State University of Londrina

Brazil | Londrina

For Sociology

#27 in Brazil

#652 in the World

Founded: 1970

33. Federal University of Para

For Sociology

#28 in Brazil

#672 in the World

Founded: 1957

34. University of Antioquia

Colombia | Medellin

For Sociology

#673 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1803

35. State University of Maringa

Brazil | Maringa

For Sociology

#29 in Brazil

#686 in the World

Founded: 1970

36. Metropolitan Autonomous University

Mexico | Mexico City

For Sociology

#2 in Mexico

#725 in the World

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

37. Federal University of Uberlandia

Brazil | Uberlandia

For Sociology

#30 in Brazil

#733 in the World

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

38. University of Guadalajara

Mexico | Guadalajara

For Sociology

#3 in Mexico

#736 in the World

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

39. Federal University of Vicosa

Brazil | Vicosa

For Sociology

#31 in Brazil

#759 in the World

Founded: 1922

40. National Polytechnic Institute

Mexico | Mexico City

For Sociology

#4 in Mexico

#763 in the World

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

41. National University of Cordoba

Argentina | Cordoba

For Sociology

#2 in Argentina

#767 in the World

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

42. Brasil University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Sociology

#32 in Brazil

#768 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1989

43. University of Costa Rica

Costa Rica Flag

Costa Rica | San Jose

For Sociology

#1 in Costa Rica

#804 in the World

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

44. Monterrey Institute of Technology

Mexico | Monterrey

For Sociology

#5 in Mexico

#808 in the World

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

45. National University of La Plata

Argentina | La Plata

For Sociology

#3 in Argentina

#831 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1905

46. Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Brazil | Juiz de Fora

For Sociology

#33 in Brazil

#849 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1960

47. Federal Foundation University of Rio Grande

Brazil | Rio Grande

For Sociology

#34 in Brazil

#872 in the World

Founded: 1969

48. Pontifical Javeriana University

Colombia | Bogota

For Sociology

#876 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 1623

49. Federal University of Sergipe

Brazil | Sao Cristovao

For Sociology

#35 in Brazil

#885 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1963

50. University of the Republic

Uruguay | Montevideo

For Sociology

#898 in the World

Enrollment: 209,129
Founded: 1833

51. Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Sociology

#36 in Brazil

#912 in the World

Founded: 1958

52. University of the Andes, Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Sociology

#924 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Founded: 1949

53. Santa Catarina State University

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Sociology

#37 in Brazil

#930 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

54. Pontifical Catholic University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Sociology

#38 in Brazil

#960 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1959

55. University of Ribeirao Preto

Brazil | Ribeirao Preto

For Sociology

#39 in Brazil

#967 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Founded: 1924

56. Federal University of Alagoas

Brazil | Maceio

For Sociology

#40 in Brazil

#970 in the World

Founded: 1961

57. Federal University of Mato Grosso

Brazil | Cuiaba

For Sociology

#41 in Brazil

#981 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1970

58. State University of Ceara

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Sociology

#42 in Brazil

#990 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

59. Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Seropedica

For Sociology

#43 in Brazil

#1005 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1910

60. Federal University of Piaui

Brazil | Teresina

For Sociology

#44 in Brazil

#1051 in the World

Founded: 1973

61. University of the West Indies, Mona

For Sociology

#1057 in the World

Enrollment: 49,092
Founded: 1948

62. Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul

Brazil | Campo Grande

For Sociology

#45 in Brazil

#1086 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

63. Federal University of Maranhao

Brazil | Sao Luis

For Sociology

#46 in Brazil

#1116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1966

64. University of Concepcion

Chile | Concepcion

For Sociology

#3 in Chile

#1123 in the World

Founded: 1920

65. University of the Valley

Colombia | Cali

For Sociology

#1151 in the World

Founded: 1945

66. University of the Northeast

Mexico | Tampico

For Sociology

#6 in Mexico

#1165 in the World

Founded: 1970

67. Southern University of Chile

Chile | Valdivia

For Sociology

#4 in Chile

#1179 in the World

Founded: 1954

68. Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University

For Sociology

#1 in Peru

#1195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 16,000
Founded: 1961

69. Rio de Janeiro State Federal University

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Sociology

#47 in Brazil

#1197 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

70. Federal University of Technology - Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Sociology

#48 in Brazil

#1207 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1909

71. Federal Rural University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Sociology

#49 in Brazil

#1212 in the World

Founded: 1912

72. Pontifical Catholic University of Peru

For Sociology

#2 in Peru

#1218 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1917

73. Federal University of Amazonas

Brazil | Manaus

For Sociology

#50 in Brazil

#1228 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1909

74. Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas

Brazil | Campinas

For Sociology

#51 in Brazil

#1236 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1941

75. Western Parana State University

Brazil | Cascavel

For Sociology

#52 in Brazil

#1241 in the World

Founded: 1994

76. Federal University of Lavras

Brazil | Lavras

For Sociology

#53 in Brazil

#1246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1908

77. Nove de Julho University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Sociology

#54 in Brazil

#1252 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1972

78. State University of Feira de Santana

Brazil | Feira de Santana

For Sociology

#55 in Brazil

#1273 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1976

79. University of Veracruz

Mexico | Xalapa

For Sociology

#7 in Mexico

#1292 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1944

80. Lutheran University of Brazil

Brazil | Canoas

For Sociology

#56 in Brazil

#1296 in the World

Founded: 1972

81. Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon

Mexico | San Nicolas de los Garza

For Sociology

#8 in Mexico

#1302 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1933

82. Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso

Chile | Valparaiso

For Sociology

#5 in Chile

#1311 in the World

Founded: 1928

83. Bahia State University

Brazil | Salvador

For Sociology

#57 in Brazil

#1319 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Founded: 1983

84. Diego Portales University

Chile | Santiago

For Sociology

#6 in Chile

#1343 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1982

85. Federal University of Ouro Preto

Brazil | Ouro Preto

For Sociology

#58 in Brazil

#1347 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

86. University of Zulia

Venezuela | Maracaibo

For Sociology

#1 in Venezuela

#1358 in the World

Founded: 1891

87. University of Fortaleza

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Sociology

#59 in Brazil

#1363 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1973

88. Central University of Venezuela

Venezuela | Caracas

For Sociology

#2 in Venezuela

#1364 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1721

89. National University of Rosario

Argentina | Rosario

For Sociology

#4 in Argentina

#1372 in the World

Founded: 1968

90. Catholic University of Brasilia

Brazil | Brasilia

For Sociology

#60 in Brazil

#1384 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1974

91. National Major San Marcos University

For Sociology

#3 in Peru

#1390 in the World

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

92. Ibero-American University, Mexico City

Mexico | Mexico City

For Sociology

#9 in Mexico

#1397 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1943

93. University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Sociology

#61 in Brazil

#1406 in the World

Founded: 1990

94. State University of Ponta Grossa

Brazil | Ponta Grossa

For Sociology

#62 in Brazil

#1410 in the World

Founded: 1970

95. El Rosario University

Colombia | Bogota

For Sociology

#1422 in the World

Enrollment: 13,226
Founded: 1653

96. Mackenzie Presbyterian University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Sociology

#63 in Brazil

#1433 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1952

97. University of Santiago de Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Sociology

#7 in Chile

#1442 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1849

98. State University of Paraiba

Brazil | Campina Grande

For Sociology

#64 in Brazil

#1455 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1966

99. State University of Southwest Bahia

Brazil | Vitoria da Conquista

For Sociology

#65 in Brazil

#1490 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1980

100. Federal University of Tocantins

Brazil | Palmas

For Sociology

#66 in Brazil

#1514 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 2000

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in Latin America

Anthropology303

Broadcast Journalism34

Classics and Ancient History117

Communications and Public Relations179

Criminology and Criminal Justice81

Early Childhood Education37

Education Majors299

Forensic Science42

Gender Studies160

Human Rights Law85

Intellectual Property and Patent Law33

International Law35

International Relations and Diplomacy39

Journalism and Digital Media67

Law Enforcement22

Library and Information science196

Media Studies64

Military science26

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution33

Occupational Safety and Health42

Political Economy61

Political Science431

Public Policy / Administration105

Radio and Television broadcasting28

Special Education20

Sports / Exercise science106

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies253

Urban and Regional planning77