Best Universities for Nursing in Latin America

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Latin America ranked based on their research performance in Nursing. A graph of 2.81M citations received by 170K academic papers made by 305 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 Nursing

#1 in Brazil

#31 in the World

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

2. Federal University of Sao Paulo

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Nursing

#2 in Brazil

#164 in the World

Founded: 1933

3. Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Nursing

#3 in Brazil

#173 in the World

Founded: 1934

4. Federal University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Nursing

#4 in Brazil

#209 in the World

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

5. State University of Campinas

Brazil | Campinas

For Nursing

#5 in Brazil

#210 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1966

6. Federal University of Santa Catarina

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Nursing

#6 in Brazil

#238 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

7. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Nursing

#7 in Brazil

#245 in the World

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

8. Federal University of Pelotas

Brazil | Pelotas

For Nursing

#8 in Brazil

#356 in the World

Founded: 1969

9. University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Nursing

#9 in Brazil

#358 in the World

Founded: 1950

10. Federal University of Ceara

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Nursing

#10 in Brazil

#365 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1954

11. Federal University of Bahia

Brazil | Salvador

For Nursing

#11 in Brazil

#369 in the World

Founded: 1946

12. Sao Paulo State University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Nursing

#12 in Brazil

#375 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Founded: 1976

13. University of Ribeirao Preto

Brazil | Ribeirao Preto

For Nursing

#13 in Brazil

#379 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Founded: 1924

14. Fluminense Federal University

Brazil | Niteroi

For Nursing

#14 in Brazil

#383 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

15. Federal University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Nursing

#15 in Brazil

#397 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1912

16. Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

For Nursing

#16 in Brazil

#401 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Founded: 1958

17. University of Brasilia

Brazil | Brasilia

For Nursing

#17 in Brazil

#413 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1962

18. Federal University of Paraiba

Brazil | Joao Pessoa

For Nursing

#18 in Brazil

#414 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1955

19. Brasil University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Nursing

#19 in Brazil

#482 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1989

20. Federal University of Santa Maria

Brazil | Santa Maria

For Nursing

#20 in Brazil

#491 in the World

Founded: 1960

21. University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Nursing

#1 in Chile

#496 in the World

Founded: 1842

22. National Autonomous University of Mexico

Mexico | Mexico City

For Nursing

#1 in Mexico

#505 in the World

Enrollment: 360,883
Founded: 1551

23. Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Nursing

#2 in Chile

#525 in the World

Enrollment: 33,971
Founded: 1888

24. State University of Ceara

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Nursing

#21 in Brazil

#631 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

25. Federal University of Sao Carlos

Brazil | Sao Carlos

For Nursing

#22 in Brazil

#642 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Founded: 1968

26. National University of Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Nursing

#646 in the World

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

27. Federal University of Goias

Brazil | Goiania

For Nursing

#23 in Brazil

#658 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 1960

28. Federal Foundation University of Rio Grande

Brazil | Rio Grande

For Nursing

#24 in Brazil

#661 in the World

Founded: 1969

29. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Nursing

#25 in Brazil

#663 in the World

Founded: 1948

30. Federal University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Nursing

#26 in Brazil

#666 in the World

Founded: 1946

31. State University of Londrina

Brazil | Londrina

For Nursing

#27 in Brazil

#670 in the World

Founded: 1970

32. State University of Maringa

Brazil | Maringa

For Nursing

#28 in Brazil

#671 in the World

Founded: 1970

33. University of Antioquia

Colombia | Medellin

For Nursing

#729 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1803

34. Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Brazil | Juiz de Fora

For Nursing

#29 in Brazil

#734 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1960

35. Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University

For Nursing

#1 in Peru

#764 in the World

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

36. Federal University of Piaui

Brazil | Teresina

For Nursing

#30 in Brazil

#774 in the World

Founded: 1973

37. University of Buenos Aires

Argentina | Buenos Aires

For Nursing

#1 in Argentina

#796 in the World

Enrollment: 262,932
Founded: 1821

38. Rio de Janeiro State Federal University

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Nursing

#31 in Brazil

#815 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

39. University of the West Indies, Mona

For Nursing

#866 in the World

Enrollment: 49,092
Founded: 1948

40. Federal University of Espirito Santo

Brazil | Vitoria

For Nursing

#32 in Brazil

#870 in the World

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

41. Federal University of Para

For Nursing

#33 in Brazil

#876 in the World

Founded: 1957

42. University of Fortaleza

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Nursing

#34 in Brazil

#891 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1973

43. Pontifical Javeriana University

Colombia | Bogota

For Nursing

#927 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 1623

44. University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Nursing

#35 in Brazil

#935 in the World

Founded: 1990

45. Federal University of Uberlandia

Brazil | Uberlandia

For Nursing

#36 in Brazil

#945 in the World

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

46. Federal University of Sergipe

Brazil | Sao Cristovao

For Nursing

#37 in Brazil

#959 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1963

47. Federal University of Mato Grosso

Brazil | Cuiaba

For Nursing

#38 in Brazil

#972 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1970

48. Pontifical Catholic University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Nursing

#39 in Brazil

#990 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1959

49. Federal University of Maranhao

Brazil | Sao Luis

For Nursing

#40 in Brazil

#1006 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1966

50. University of America in Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Nursing

#1033 in the World

Founded: 1958

51. Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul

Brazil | Campo Grande

For Nursing

#41 in Brazil

#1089 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

52. Federal University of Health Sciences, Porto Alegre

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Nursing

#42 in Brazil

#1101 in the World

Founded: 1953

53. Western Parana State University

Brazil | Cascavel

For Nursing

#43 in Brazil

#1104 in the World

Founded: 1994

54. Federal University of Alagoas

Brazil | Maceio

For Nursing

#44 in Brazil

#1122 in the World

Founded: 1961

55. University of the Rio dos Sinos Valley

Brazil | Sao Leopoldo

For Nursing

#45 in Brazil

#1126 in the World

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

56. University of Concepcion

Chile | Concepcion

For Nursing

#3 in Chile

#1136 in the World

Founded: 1920

57. National Polytechnic Institute

Mexico | Mexico City

For Nursing

#2 in Mexico

#1145 in the World

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

58. Santa Catarina State University

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Nursing

#46 in Brazil

#1150 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

59. Federal University of Sao Joao del-Rei

Brazil | Sao Joao del-Rei

For Nursing

#47 in Brazil

#1159 in the World

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

60. Estacio de Sa University

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Nursing

#48 in Brazil

#1170 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1970

61. University of the Andes, Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Nursing

#1177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Founded: 1949

62. State University of Paraiba

Brazil | Campina Grande

For Nursing

#49 in Brazil

#1183 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1966

63. State University of Montes Claros

Brazil | Montes Claros

For Nursing

#50 in Brazil

#1189 in the World

Founded: 1962

64. Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Nursing

#51 in Brazil

#1192 in the World

Founded: 1958

65. Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon

Mexico | San Nicolas de los Garza

For Nursing

#3 in Mexico

#1211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1933

66. Para State University

For Nursing

#52 in Brazil

#1240 in the World

Enrollment: 50,000
Founded: 1993

67. Federal University of Alfenas

Brazil | Alfenas

For Nursing

#53 in Brazil

#1243 in the World

Founded: 1914

68. University of the Republic

Uruguay | Montevideo

For Nursing

#1247 in the World

Enrollment: 209,129
Founded: 1833

69. Lutheran University of Brazil

Brazil | Canoas

For Nursing

#54 in Brazil

#1271 in the World

Founded: 1972

70. Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Nursing

#55 in Brazil

#1274 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1946

71. University Institute of the Italian Hospital

Argentina | Buenos Aires

For Nursing

#2 in Argentina

#1279 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Founded: 2000

72. State University of Southwest Bahia

Brazil | Vitoria da Conquista

For Nursing

#56 in Brazil

#1358 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1980

73. State University of Feira de Santana

Brazil | Feira de Santana

For Nursing

#57 in Brazil

#1359 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1976

74. University of the Valley

Colombia | Cali

For Nursing

#1367 in the World

Founded: 1945

75. University of Guadalajara

Mexico | Guadalajara

For Nursing

#4 in Mexico

#1395 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Founded: 1792

76. Federal University of Vicosa

Brazil | Vicosa

For Nursing

#58 in Brazil

#1398 in the World

Founded: 1922

77. Metropolitan Autonomous University

Mexico | Mexico City

For Nursing

#5 in Mexico

#1400 in the World

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

78. Federal University of Amazonas

Brazil | Manaus

For Nursing

#59 in Brazil

#1416 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1909

79. University of Costa Rica

Costa Rica Flag

Costa Rica | San Jose

For Nursing

#1 in Costa Rica

#1417 in the World

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

80. El Rosario University

Colombia | Bogota

For Nursing

#1420 in the World

Enrollment: 13,226
Founded: 1653

81. Bahia State University

Brazil | Salvador

For Nursing

#60 in Brazil

#1426 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Founded: 1983

82. Monterrey Institute of Technology

Mexico | Monterrey

For Nursing

#6 in Mexico

#1454 in the World

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

83. University of Cartagena

Colombia | Cartagena

For Nursing

#1455 in the World

Founded: 1827

84. University of La Frontera

For Nursing

#4 in Chile

#1499 in the World

Founded: 1981

85. University of Talca

For Nursing

#5 in Chile

#1530 in the World

Founded: 1981

86. Federal University of Campina Grande

Brazil | Campina Grande

For Nursing

#61 in Brazil

#1534 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 2002

87. Pontifical Catholic University of Goias

Brazil | Goiania

For Nursing

#62 in Brazil

#1554 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Founded: 1959

88. National University of Cordoba

Argentina | Cordoba

For Nursing

#3 in Argentina

#1559 in the World

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

89. University of the Northeast

Mexico | Tampico

For Nursing

#7 in Mexico

#1565 in the World

Founded: 1970

90. Nove de Julho University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Nursing

#63 in Brazil

#1574 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1972

91. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Nursing

#64 in Brazil

#1582 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Founded: 1941

92. St. George's University

Grenada | St. George's

For Nursing

#1 in Grenada

#1586 in the World

Enrollment: 7,400
Founded: 1976

93. Catholic University of Pelotas

Brazil | Pelotas

For Nursing

#65 in Brazil

#1618 in the World

Founded: 1960

94. Andres Bello University

Chile | Santiago

For Nursing

#6 in Chile

#1625 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1988

95. University of Santiago de Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Nursing

#7 in Chile

#1634 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1849

96. University for Development

Chile | Santiago

For Nursing

#8 in Chile

#1636 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 16,544
Founded: 1990

97. National University of Asuncion

Paraguay | Asuncion

For Nursing

#1 in Paraguay

#1657 in the World

Enrollment: 55,362
Founded: 1889

98. El Bosque University

Colombia | Bogota

For Nursing

#1698 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1978

99. University of La Sabana

Colombia | Chia

For Nursing

#10 in Colombia

#1712 in the World

Founded: 1980

100. Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas

Brazil | Campinas

For Nursing

#66 in Brazil

#1718 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1941

Medicine subfields in Latin America

Anatomy and Physiology310

Anesthesiology216

Bioethics/Medical Ethics72

Biomedical Engineering83

Clinical Psychology218

Critical Care Nursing170

Epidemiology117

Family medicine210

Forensic Science42

Gastroenterology and Hepatology182

Health Science255

Healthcare Management (MHA)173

Medical Physics34

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN)256

Occupational Therapy54

Oncology and Cancer research239

Ophthalmology80

Orthodontics159

Paramedicine and Emergency medicine148

Pharmacology250

Physical Therapy253

Plastic Surgery70

Public Health363

Radiation Therapy81

Radiology and Nuclear medicine301

Respiratory Therapy58

Sonography and Ultrasound35

Sports / Exercise science105

Sports Medicine171