Best Physical Therapy Schools in Latin America

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Latin America ranked based on their research performance in Physical Therapy. A graph of 1.35M citations received by 115K academic papers made by 243 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 Physical Therapy

#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 Physical Therapy

#2 in Brazil

#123 in the World

Founded: 1933

3. Sao Paulo State University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Physical Therapy

#3 in Brazil

#164 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Founded: 1976

4. Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Physical Therapy

#4 in Brazil

#197 in the World

Founded: 1934

5. State University of Campinas

Brazil | Campinas

For Physical Therapy

#5 in Brazil

#198 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1966

6. Federal University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Physical Therapy

#6 in Brazil

#228 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1927

7. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Physical Therapy

#7 in Brazil

#319 in the World

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

8. Federal University of Sao Carlos

Brazil | Sao Carlos

For Physical Therapy

#8 in Brazil

#338 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Founded: 1968

9. State University of Londrina

Brazil | Londrina

For Physical Therapy

#9 in Brazil

#348 in the World

Founded: 1970

10. Federal University of Santa Catarina

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Physical Therapy

#10 in Brazil

#408 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

11. Federal University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Physical Therapy

#11 in Brazil

#413 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1912

12. Federal University of Pelotas

Brazil | Pelotas

For Physical Therapy

#12 in Brazil

#448 in the World

Founded: 1969

13. University of Brasilia

Brazil | Brasilia

For Physical Therapy

#13 in Brazil

#461 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1962

14. Santa Catarina State University

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Physical Therapy

#14 in Brazil

#512 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

15. National Autonomous University of Mexico

Mexico | Mexico City

For Physical Therapy

#1 in Mexico

#529 in the World

Enrollment: 360,883
Founded: 1551

16. Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

For Physical Therapy

#15 in Brazil

#531 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Founded: 1958

17. University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Physical Therapy

#16 in Brazil

#535 in the World

Founded: 1950

18. University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Physical Therapy

#1 in Chile

#556 in the World

Founded: 1842

19. Federal University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Physical Therapy

#17 in Brazil

#590 in the World

Founded: 1946

20. Nove de Julho University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Physical Therapy

#18 in Brazil

#685 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1972

21. Federal University of Ceara

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Physical Therapy

#19 in Brazil

#746 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1954

22. Federal University of Sergipe

Brazil | Sao Cristovao

For Physical Therapy

#20 in Brazil

#756 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1963

23. Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Brazil | Juiz de Fora

For Physical Therapy

#21 in Brazil

#761 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1960

24. Federal University of Bahia

Brazil | Salvador

For Physical Therapy

#22 in Brazil

#762 in the World

Founded: 1946

25. Catholic University of Brasilia

Brazil | Brasilia

For Physical Therapy

#23 in Brazil

#779 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1974

26. Federal University of Santa Maria

Brazil | Santa Maria

For Physical Therapy

#24 in Brazil

#782 in the World

Founded: 1960

27. University of Buenos Aires

Argentina | Buenos Aires

For Physical Therapy

#1 in Argentina

#784 in the World

Enrollment: 262,932
Founded: 1821

28. Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Physical Therapy

#2 in Chile

#787 in the World

Enrollment: 33,971
Founded: 1888

29. Federal University of Goias

Brazil | Goiania

For Physical Therapy

#25 in Brazil

#800 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 1960

30. Fluminense Federal University

Brazil | Niteroi

For Physical Therapy

#26 in Brazil

#808 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

31. Federal University of Paraiba

Brazil | Joao Pessoa

For Physical Therapy

#27 in Brazil

#856 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1955

32. Federal University of Uberlandia

Brazil | Uberlandia

For Physical Therapy

#28 in Brazil

#861 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1969

33. University of Ribeirao Preto

Brazil | Ribeirao Preto

For Physical Therapy

#29 in Brazil

#896 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Founded: 1924

34. Brasil University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Physical Therapy

#30 in Brazil

#903 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1989

35. State University of Maringa

Brazil | Maringa

For Physical Therapy

#31 in Brazil

#942 in the World

Founded: 1970

36. Federal University of Espirito Santo

Brazil | Vitoria

For Physical Therapy

#32 in Brazil

#949 in the World

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

37. University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Physical Therapy

#33 in Brazil

#960 in the World

Founded: 1990

38. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Physical Therapy

#34 in Brazil

#1012 in the World

Founded: 1948

39. Pontifical Catholic University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Physical Therapy

#35 in Brazil

#1016 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1959

40. Federal University of Health Sciences, Porto Alegre

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Physical Therapy

#36 in Brazil

#1033 in the World

Founded: 1953

41. University Institute of the Italian Hospital

Argentina | Buenos Aires

For Physical Therapy

#2 in Argentina

#1036 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Founded: 2000

42. Federal University of Vicosa

Brazil | Vicosa

For Physical Therapy

#37 in Brazil

#1062 in the World

Founded: 1922

43. University of Antioquia

Colombia | Medellin

For Physical Therapy

#1073 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1803

44. University of Northern Parana

Brazil | Londrina

For Physical Therapy

#38 in Brazil

#1121 in the World

Enrollment: 200,000
Founded: 1972

45. National University of Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Physical Therapy

#1128 in the World

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

46. University of Caxias do Sul

Brazil | Caxias do Sul

For Physical Therapy

#39 in Brazil

#1179 in the World

Founded: 1967

47. Pontifical Javeriana University

Colombia | Bogota

For Physical Therapy

#1205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 1623

48. National Polytechnic Institute

Mexico | Mexico City

For Physical Therapy

#2 in Mexico

#1232 in the World

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

49. Mackenzie Presbyterian University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Physical Therapy

#40 in Brazil

#1249 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1952

50. University of the Republic

Uruguay | Montevideo

For Physical Therapy

#1288 in the World

Enrollment: 209,129
Founded: 1833

51. University of La Frontera

For Physical Therapy

#3 in Chile

#1290 in the World

Founded: 1981

52. Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon

Mexico | San Nicolas de los Garza

For Physical Therapy

#3 in Mexico

#1296 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1933

53. Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Physical Therapy

#41 in Brazil

#1300 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1946

54. University of Guadalajara

Mexico | Guadalajara

For Physical Therapy

#4 in Mexico

#1307 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Founded: 1792

55. Estacio de Sa University

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Physical Therapy

#42 in Brazil

#1321 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1970

56. El Rosario University

Colombia | Bogota

For Physical Therapy

#1324 in the World

Enrollment: 13,226
Founded: 1653

57. Metropolitan Autonomous University

Mexico | Mexico City

For Physical Therapy

#5 in Mexico

#1339 in the World

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

58. Federal University of Para

For Physical Therapy

#43 in Brazil

#1343 in the World

Founded: 1957

59. University of the Valley

Colombia | Cali

For Physical Therapy

#1373 in the World

Founded: 1945

60. Lutheran University of Brazil

Brazil | Canoas

For Physical Therapy

#44 in Brazil

#1374 in the World

Founded: 1972

61. University of Costa Rica

Costa Rica | San Jose

For Physical Therapy

#1 in Costa Rica

#1393 in the World

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

62. Sao Judas Tadeu University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Physical Therapy

#45 in Brazil

#1395 in the World

Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1971

63. University of America in Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Physical Therapy

#1415 in the World

Founded: 1958

64. Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul

Brazil | Campo Grande

For Physical Therapy

#46 in Brazil

#1418 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

65. Rio de Janeiro State Federal University

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Physical Therapy

#47 in Brazil

#1423 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

66. University of Santiago de Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Physical Therapy

#4 in Chile

#1431 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1849

67. Federal University of Maranhao

Brazil | Sao Luis

For Physical Therapy

#48 in Brazil

#1445 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1966

68. Andres Bello University

Chile | Santiago

For Physical Therapy

#5 in Chile

#1455 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1988

69. University of the Andes, Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Physical Therapy

#1458 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Founded: 1949

70. University of Mogi das Cruzes

Brazil | Mogi das Cruzes

For Physical Therapy

#49 in Brazil

#1482 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 30,000
Founded: 1962

71. Autonomous University of Chile

For Physical Therapy

#6 in Chile

#1485 in the World

Founded: 1989

72. Federal Foundation University of Rio Grande

Brazil | Rio Grande

For Physical Therapy

#50 in Brazil

#1496 in the World

Founded: 1969

73. Federal University of Pampa

For Physical Therapy

#51 in Brazil

#1501 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 2006

74. Federal University of Technology - Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Physical Therapy

#52 in Brazil

#1517 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1909

75. Monterrey Institute of Technology

Mexico | Monterrey

For Physical Therapy

#6 in Mexico

#1523 in the World

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

76. University of Concepcion

Chile | Concepcion

For Physical Therapy

#7 in Chile

#1532 in the World

Founded: 1920

77. Federal University of Piaui

Brazil | Teresina

For Physical Therapy

#53 in Brazil

#1534 in the World

Founded: 1973

78. Federal University of Mato Grosso

Brazil | Cuiaba

For Physical Therapy

#54 in Brazil

#1540 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1970

79. Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Physical Therapy

#55 in Brazil

#1548 in the World

Founded: 1958

80. University of Paraiba Valley

Brazil | Sao Jose dos Campos

For Physical Therapy

#56 in Brazil

#1560 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Founded: 1954

81. Western Parana State University

Brazil | Cascavel

For Physical Therapy

#57 in Brazil

#1577 in the World

Founded: 1994

82. University of Fortaleza

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Physical Therapy

#58 in Brazil

#1581 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1973

83. Federal University of ABC

Brazil | Santo Andre

For Physical Therapy

#59 in Brazil

#1654 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 2005

84. Federal University of Alagoas

Brazil | Maceio

For Physical Therapy

#60 in Brazil

#1665 in the World

Founded: 1961

85. University of the Extreme South of Santa Catarina

Brazil | Criciuma

For Physical Therapy

#61 in Brazil

#1667 in the World

Founded: 1968

86. Federal University of Ouro Preto

Brazil | Ouro Preto

For Physical Therapy

#62 in Brazil

#1680 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

87. Federal University of Vale do Sao Francisco

Brazil | Petrolina

For Physical Therapy

#63 in Brazil

#1697 in the World

Founded: 2002

88. University for Development

Chile | Santiago

For Physical Therapy

#8 in Chile

#1720 in the World

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

89. Central University of Venezuela

Venezuela | Caracas

For Physical Therapy

#1 in Venezuela

#1735 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1721

90. State University of Southwest Bahia

Brazil | Vitoria da Conquista

For Physical Therapy

#64 in Brazil

#1744 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1980

91. Federal University of Amazonas

Brazil | Manaus

For Physical Therapy

#65 in Brazil

#1745 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1909

92. Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso

Chile | Valparaiso

For Physical Therapy

#9 in Chile

#1754 in the World

Founded: 1928

93. National University of La Plata

Argentina | La Plata

For Physical Therapy

#3 in Argentina

#1756 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1905

94. University of Guanajuato

Mexico | Guanajuato

For Physical Therapy

#7 in Mexico

#1760 in the World

Enrollment: 44,503
Founded: 1945

95. Federal University of Alfenas

Brazil | Alfenas

For Physical Therapy

#66 in Brazil

#1769 in the World

Founded: 1914

96. State University of Ceara

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Physical Therapy

#67 in Brazil

#1812 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

97. Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University

For Physical Therapy

#1 in Peru

#1836 in the World

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

98. State University of Ponta Grossa

Brazil | Ponta Grossa

For Physical Therapy

#68 in Brazil

#1844 in the World

Founded: 1970

99. University of Passo Fundo

Brazil | Passo Fundo

For Physical Therapy

#69 in Brazil

#1865 in the World

Founded: 1968

100. Federal University of Lavras

Brazil | Lavras

For Physical Therapy

#70 in Brazil

#1868 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1908

Medicine subfields in Latin America

Anatomy and Physiology296

Anesthesiology199

Bioethics/Medical Ethics70

Biomedical Engineering69

Clinical Psychology204

Critical Care Nursing140

Epidemiology108

Family medicine195

Forensic Science44

Gastroenterology and Hepatology168

Health Science234

Healthcare Management (MHA)157

Medical Physics33

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN)242

Occupational Therapy49

Oncology and Cancer research217

Ophthalmology70

Orthodontics141

Paramedicine and Emergency medicine131

Pharmacology235

Plastic Surgery68

Public Health359

Radiation Therapy71

Radiology and Nuclear medicine285

Respiratory Therapy55

Sonography and Ultrasound34

Sports / Exercise science93

Sports Medicine157