Best Universities for Nursing 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 Nursing. A graph of 3.04M citations received by 176K academic papers made by 312 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

#32 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

#166 in the World

Founded: 1933

3. Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Nursing

#3 in Brazil

#176 in the World

Founded: 1934

4. Federal University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Nursing

#4 in Brazil

#207 in the World

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

5. State University of Campinas

Brazil | Campinas

For Nursing

#5 in Brazil

#209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1966

6. Federal University of Santa Catarina

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Nursing

#6 in Brazil

#244 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

7. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Nursing

#7 in Brazil

#247 in the World

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

8. University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Nursing

#8 in Brazil

#362 in the World

Founded: 1950

9. Federal University of Pelotas

Brazil | Pelotas

For Nursing

#9 in Brazil

#363 in the World

Founded: 1969

10. Federal University of Ceara

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Nursing

#10 in Brazil

#369 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1954

11. Federal University of Bahia

Brazil | Salvador

For Nursing

#11 in Brazil

#370 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

#380 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Founded: 1924

14. Fluminense Federal University

Brazil | Niteroi

For Nursing

#14 in Brazil

#391 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

15. Federal University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Nursing

#15 in Brazil

#402 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1912

16. Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

For Nursing

#16 in Brazil

#404 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Founded: 1958

17. University of Brasilia

Brazil | Brasilia

For Nursing

#17 in Brazil

#420 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1962

18. Federal University of Paraiba

Brazil | Joao Pessoa

For Nursing

#18 in Brazil

#424 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1955

19. Brasil University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Nursing

#19 in Brazil

#488 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1989

20. Federal University of Santa Maria

Brazil | Santa Maria

For Nursing

#20 in Brazil

#499 in the World

Founded: 1960

21. University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Nursing

#1 in Chile

#502 in the World

Founded: 1842

22. National Autonomous University of Mexico

Mexico | Mexico City

For Nursing

#1 in Mexico

#509 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. Federal University of Sao Carlos

Brazil | Sao Carlos

For Nursing

#21 in Brazil

#638 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Founded: 1968

25. State University of Ceara

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Nursing

#22 in Brazil

#647 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

26. National University of Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Nursing

#650 in the World

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

27. Federal University of Goias

Brazil | Goiania

For Nursing

#23 in Brazil

#662 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 1960

28. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Nursing

#24 in Brazil

#663 in the World

Founded: 1948

29. Federal University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Nursing

#25 in Brazil

#667 in the World

Founded: 1946

30. Federal Foundation University of Rio Grande

Brazil | Rio Grande

For Nursing

#26 in Brazil

#675 in the World

Founded: 1969

31. State University of Londrina

Brazil | Londrina

For Nursing

#27 in Brazil

#679 in the World

Founded: 1970

32. State University of Maringa

Brazil | Maringa

For Nursing

#28 in Brazil

#687 in the World

Founded: 1970

33. Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Brazil | Juiz de Fora

For Nursing

#29 in Brazil

#734 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1960

34. University of Antioquia

Colombia | Medellin

For Nursing

#743 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1803

35. Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University

For Nursing

#1 in Peru

#762 in the World

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

36. Federal University of Piaui

Brazil | Teresina

For Nursing

#30 in Brazil

#786 in the World

Founded: 1973

37. University of Buenos Aires

Argentina | Buenos Aires

For Nursing

#1 in Argentina

#807 in the World

Enrollment: 262,932
Founded: 1821

38. Rio de Janeiro State Federal University

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Nursing

#31 in Brazil

#827 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

39. Federal University of Espirito Santo

Brazil | Vitoria

For Nursing

#32 in Brazil

#855 in the World

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

40. Federal University of Para

For Nursing

#33 in Brazil

#871 in the World

Founded: 1957

41. University of the West Indies, Mona

For Nursing

#882 in the World

Enrollment: 49,092
Founded: 1948

42. University of Fortaleza

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Nursing

#34 in Brazil

#917 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1973

43. Pontifical Javeriana University

Colombia | Bogota

For Nursing

#933 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 1623

44. Federal University of Uberlandia

Brazil | Uberlandia

For Nursing

#35 in Brazil

#961 in the World

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

45. University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Nursing

#36 in Brazil

#966 in the World

Founded: 1990

46. Federal University of Sergipe

Brazil | Sao Cristovao

For Nursing

#37 in Brazil

#970 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1963

47. Pontifical Catholic University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Nursing

#38 in Brazil

#987 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1959

48. Federal University of Mato Grosso

Brazil | Cuiaba

For Nursing

#39 in Brazil

#1011 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1970

49. Federal University of Maranhao

Brazil | Sao Luis

For Nursing

#40 in Brazil

#1013 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1966

50. University of America in Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Nursing

#1071 in the World

Founded: 1958

51. Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul

Brazil | Campo Grande

For Nursing

#41 in Brazil

#1098 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

52. Federal University of Health Sciences, Porto Alegre

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Nursing

#42 in Brazil

#1108 in the World

Founded: 1953

53. Federal University of Alagoas

Brazil | Maceio

For Nursing

#43 in Brazil

#1130 in the World

Founded: 1961

54. Western Parana State University

Brazil | Cascavel

For Nursing

#44 in Brazil

#1132 in the World

Founded: 1994

55. University of Concepcion

Chile | Concepcion

For Nursing

#3 in Chile

#1157 in the World

Founded: 1920

56. University of the Rio dos Sinos Valley

Brazil | Sao Leopoldo

For Nursing

#45 in Brazil

#1158 in the World

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

57. Santa Catarina State University

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Nursing

#46 in Brazil

#1160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

58. Federal University of Sao Joao del-Rei

Brazil | Sao Joao del-Rei

For Nursing

#47 in Brazil

#1162 in the World

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

59. National Polytechnic Institute

Mexico | Mexico City

For Nursing

#2 in Mexico

#1163 in the World

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

60. University of the Andes, Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Nursing

#1194 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Founded: 1949

61. State University of Montes Claros

Brazil | Montes Claros

For Nursing

#48 in Brazil

#1207 in the World

Founded: 1962

62. Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon

Mexico | San Nicolas de los Garza

For Nursing

#3 in Mexico

#1212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1933

63. State University of Paraiba

Brazil | Campina Grande

For Nursing

#49 in Brazil

#1215 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1966

64. Para State University

For Nursing

#50 in Brazil

#1227 in the World

Enrollment: 50,000
Founded: 1993

65. Estacio de Sa University

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Nursing

#51 in Brazil

#1237 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1970

66. Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Nursing

#52 in Brazil

#1238 in the World

Founded: 1958

67. University of the Republic

Uruguay | Montevideo

For Nursing

#1251 in the World

Enrollment: 209,129
Founded: 1833

68. Federal University of Alfenas

Brazil | Alfenas

For Nursing

#53 in Brazil

#1253 in the World

Founded: 1914

69. University Institute of the Italian Hospital

Argentina | Buenos Aires

For Nursing

#2 in Argentina

#1281 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Founded: 2000

70. Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Nursing

#54 in Brazil

#1291 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1946

71. Lutheran University of Brazil

Brazil | Canoas

For Nursing

#55 in Brazil

#1300 in the World

Founded: 1972

72. University of the Valley

Colombia | Cali

For Nursing

#1371 in the World

Founded: 1945

73. State University of Southwest Bahia

Brazil | Vitoria da Conquista

For Nursing

#56 in Brazil

#1381 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1980

74. University of Guadalajara

Mexico | Guadalajara

For Nursing

#4 in Mexico

#1382 in the World

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

75. State University of Feira de Santana

Brazil | Feira de Santana

For Nursing

#57 in Brazil

#1387 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1976

76. Federal University of Vicosa

Brazil | Vicosa

For Nursing

#58 in Brazil

#1402 in the World

Founded: 1922

77. Metropolitan Autonomous University

Mexico | Mexico City

For Nursing

#5 in Mexico

#1409 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Enrollment: 61,152
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

#1419 in the World

Enrollment: 13,226
Founded: 1653

81. Bahia State University

Brazil | Salvador

For Nursing

#60 in Brazil

#1443 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Founded: 1983

82. Monterrey Institute of Technology

Mexico | Monterrey

For Nursing

#6 in Mexico

#1444 in the World

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

83. University of La Frontera

For Nursing

#4 in Chile

#1472 in the World

Founded: 1981

84. University of Cartagena

Colombia | Cartagena

For Nursing

#1474 in the World

Founded: 1827

85. University of Talca

For Nursing

#5 in Chile

#1525 in the World

Founded: 1981

86. National University of Cordoba

Argentina | Cordoba

For Nursing

#3 in Argentina

#1554 in the World

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

87. Federal University of Campina Grande

Brazil | Campina Grande

For Nursing

#61 in Brazil

#1561 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 2002

88. University of the Northeast

Mexico | Tampico

For Nursing

#7 in Mexico

#1575 in the World

Founded: 1970

89. Nove de Julho University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Nursing

#62 in Brazil

#1579 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1972

90. Pontifical Catholic University of Goias

Brazil | Goiania

For Nursing

#63 in Brazil

#1592 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Founded: 1959

91. St. George's University

Grenada | St. George's

For Nursing

#1 in Grenada

#1593 in the World

Enrollment: 7,400
Founded: 1976

92. Andres Bello University

Chile | Santiago

For Nursing

#6 in Chile

#1594 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1988

93. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Nursing

#64 in Brazil

#1611 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Founded: 1941

94. University for Development

Chile | Santiago

For Nursing

#7 in Chile

#1628 in the World

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

95. Catholic University of Pelotas

Brazil | Pelotas

For Nursing

#65 in Brazil

#1656 in the World

Founded: 1960

96. University of Santiago de Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Nursing

#8 in Chile

#1670 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1849

97. El Bosque University

Colombia | Bogota

For Nursing

#1672 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1978

98. National University of Asuncion

Paraguay | Asuncion

For Nursing

#1 in Paraguay

#1684 in the World

Enrollment: 55,362
Founded: 1889

99. University of La Sabana

Colombia | Chia

For Nursing

#10 in Colombia

#1686 in the World

Founded: 1980

100. Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas

Brazil | Campinas

For Nursing

#66 in Brazil

#1751 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1941

Medicine subfields in Latin America

Anatomy and Physiology311

Anesthesiology220

Bioethics/Medical Ethics74

Biomedical Engineering84

Clinical Psychology221

Critical Care Nursing177

Epidemiology121

Family medicine217

Forensic Science42

Gastroenterology and Hepatology185

Health Science258

Healthcare Management (MHA)177

Medical Physics37

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN)261

Occupational Therapy56

Oncology and Cancer research245

Ophthalmology84

Orthodontics164

Paramedicine and Emergency medicine157

Pharmacology250

Physical Therapy258

Plastic Surgery74

Public Health366

Radiation Therapy83

Radiology and Nuclear medicine303

Respiratory Therapy58

Sonography and Ultrasound39

Sports / Exercise science106

Sports Medicine177