Best Universities for Physics 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 Physics. A graph of 19.3M citations received by 1.34M academic papers made by 409 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 Physics

#1 in Brazil

#89 in the World

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

2. National Autonomous University of Mexico

Mexico | Mexico City

For Physics

#1 in Mexico

#197 in the World

Enrollment: 360,883
Founded: 1551

3. State University of Campinas

Brazil | Campinas

For Physics

#2 in Brazil

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1966

4. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Physics

#3 in Brazil

#345 in the World

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

5. Sao Paulo State University

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Physics

#4 in Brazil

#348 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Founded: 1976

6. Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Physics

#5 in Brazil

#407 in the World

Founded: 1934

7. University of Buenos Aires

Argentina | Buenos Aires

For Physics

#1 in Argentina

#456 in the World

Enrollment: 262,932
Founded: 1821

8. Federal University of Minas Gerais

Brazil | Belo Horizonte

For Physics

#6 in Brazil

#487 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1927

9. University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Physics

#1 in Chile

#496 in the World

Founded: 1842

10. Federal University of Sao Carlos

Brazil | Sao Carlos

For Physics

#7 in Brazil

#510 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Founded: 1968

11. Federal University of Santa Catarina

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Physics

#8 in Brazil

#560 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

12. National University of La Plata

Argentina | La Plata

For Physics

#2 in Argentina

#624 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1905

13. Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Physics

#2 in Chile

#636 in the World

Enrollment: 33,971
Founded: 1888

14. National Polytechnic Institute

Mexico | Mexico City

For Physics

#2 in Mexico

#704 in the World

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

15. National University of Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Physics

#783 in the World

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

16. University of Brasilia

Brazil | Brasilia

For Physics

#9 in Brazil

#787 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1962

17. Federal University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Physics

#10 in Brazil

#806 in the World

Founded: 1946

18. Metropolitan Autonomous University

Mexico | Mexico City

For Physics

#3 in Mexico

#809 in the World

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

19. Federal University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Physics

#11 in Brazil

#816 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1912

20. Fluminense Federal University

Brazil | Niteroi

For Physics

#12 in Brazil

#834 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1960

21. National University of Cordoba

Argentina | Cordoba

For Physics

#3 in Argentina

#860 in the World

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

22. University of Concepcion

Chile | Concepcion

For Physics

#3 in Chile

#913 in the World

Founded: 1920

23. Federal University of Ceara

Brazil | Fortaleza

For Physics

#13 in Brazil

#916 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1954

24. Federal University of Santa Maria

Brazil | Santa Maria

For Physics

#14 in Brazil

#926 in the World

Founded: 1960

25. Federal University of Paraiba

Brazil | Joao Pessoa

For Physics

#15 in Brazil

#943 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1955

26. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Physics

#16 in Brazil

#971 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Founded: 1941

27. Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

For Physics

#17 in Brazil

#990 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Founded: 1958

28. Federico Santa Maria Technical University

Chile | Valparaiso

For Physics

#4 in Chile

#1028 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1931

29. Federal University of Sao Paulo

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Physics

#18 in Brazil

#1044 in the World

Founded: 1933

30. University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Brazil | Rio de Janeiro

For Physics

#19 in Brazil

#1050 in the World

Founded: 1950

31. University of Santiago de Chile

Chile | Santiago

For Physics

#5 in Chile

#1121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1849

32. Autonomous University of Puebla

Mexico | Delicias

For Physics

#4 in Mexico

#1124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Founded: 1587

33. Federal University of Uberlandia

Brazil | Uberlandia

For Physics

#20 in Brazil

#1138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1969

34. Monterrey Institute of Technology

Mexico | Monterrey

For Physics

#5 in Mexico

#1143 in the World

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

35. University of America in Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Physics

#1156 in the World

Founded: 1958

36. State University of Maringa

Brazil | Maringa

For Physics

#21 in Brazil

#1177 in the World

Founded: 1970

37. University of the Republic

Uruguay | Montevideo

For Physics

#1184 in the World

Enrollment: 209,129
Founded: 1833

38. Federal University of Bahia

Brazil | Salvador

For Physics

#22 in Brazil

#1222 in the World

Founded: 1946

39. University of Guanajuato

Mexico | Guanajuato

For Physics

#6 in Mexico

#1233 in the World

Enrollment: 44,503
Founded: 1945

40. Federal University of ABC

Brazil | Santo Andre

For Physics

#23 in Brazil

#1281 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 2005

41. Federal University of Vicosa

Brazil | Vicosa

For Physics

#24 in Brazil

#1297 in the World

Founded: 1922

42. Federal University of Espirito Santo

Brazil | Vitoria

For Physics

#25 in Brazil

#1305 in the World

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

43. National University of Mar del Plata

Argentina | Mar del Plata

For Physics

#4 in Argentina

#1311 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1975

44. University of Antioquia

Colombia | Medellin

For Physics

#1320 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1803

45. University of the Northeast

Mexico | Tampico

For Physics

#7 in Mexico

#1346 in the World

Founded: 1970

46. Federal University of Para

For Physics

#26 in Brazil

#1354 in the World

Founded: 1957

47. National University of the South

Argentina | Bahia Blanca

For Physics

#5 in Argentina

#1366 in the World

Founded: 1956

48. Federal University of Goias

Brazil | Goiania

For Physics

#27 in Brazil

#1370 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 1960

49. Simon Bolivar University, Venezuela

Venezuela | Caracas

For Physics

#1 in Venezuela

#1372 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1967

50. Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi

Mexico | San Luis Potosi

For Physics

#8 in Mexico

#1409 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1859

51. Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon

Mexico | San Nicolas de los Garza

For Physics

#9 in Mexico

#1420 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1933

52. Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Brazil | Juiz de Fora

For Physics

#28 in Brazil

#1425 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1960

53. Federal University of Technology - Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Physics

#29 in Brazil

#1443 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1909

54. Federal University of Campina Grande

Brazil | Campina Grande

For Physics

#30 in Brazil

#1445 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 2002

55. Central University of Venezuela

Venezuela | Caracas

For Physics

#2 in Venezuela

#1460 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1721

56. National University of Rosario

Argentina | Rosario

For Physics

#6 in Argentina

#1463 in the World

Founded: 1968

57. Michoacan University of Saint Nicholas of Hidalgo

Mexico | Morelia

For Physics

#10 in Mexico

#1525 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1540

58. Federal University of Pelotas

Brazil | Pelotas

For Physics

#31 in Brazil

#1547 in the World

Founded: 1969

59. University of Costa Rica

Costa Rica | San Jose

For Physics

#1 in Costa Rica

#1550 in the World

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

60. University of the Andes

Venezuela | Merida

For Physics

#3 in Venezuela

#1555 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1810

61. University of Guadalajara

Mexico | Guadalajara

For Physics

#11 in Mexico

#1561 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Founded: 1792

62. Federal University of Lavras

Brazil | Lavras

For Physics

#32 in Brazil

#1567 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1908

63. University of the Andes, Colombia

Colombia | Bogota

For Physics

#1578 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Founded: 1949

64. State University of Londrina

Brazil | Londrina

For Physics

#33 in Brazil

#1592 in the World

Founded: 1970

65. University of the Valley

Colombia | Cali

For Physics

#1603 in the World

Founded: 1945

66. University of Havana

For Physics

#1 in Cuba

#1626 in the World

Founded: 1728

67. Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso

Chile | Valparaiso

For Physics

#6 in Chile

#1639 in the World

Founded: 1928

68. National University of Litoral

Argentina | Santa Fe

For Physics

#7 in Argentina

#1715 in the World

Founded: 1919

69. Federal University of Itajuba

Brazil | Itajuba

For Physics

#34 in Brazil

#1723 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1913

70. Federal Foundation University of Rio Grande

Brazil | Rio Grande

For Physics

#35 in Brazil

#1747 in the World

Founded: 1969

71. Autonomous University of the State of Morelos

Mexico | Cuernavaca

For Physics

#12 in Mexico

#1779 in the World

Founded: 1938

72. Federal University of Alagoas

Brazil | Maceio

For Physics

#36 in Brazil

#1810 in the World

Founded: 1961

73. University of Ribeirao Preto

Brazil | Ribeirao Preto

For Physics

#37 in Brazil

#1837 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Founded: 1924

74. University of Sonora

Mexico | Hermosillo

For Physics

#13 in Mexico

#1839 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1942

75. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil | Porto Alegre

For Physics

#38 in Brazil

#1863 in the World

Founded: 1948

76. Industrial University of Santander

Colombia | Bucaramanga

For Physics

#1874 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1948

77. Federal University of Sergipe

Brazil | Sao Cristovao

For Physics

#39 in Brazil

#1882 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1963

78. Autonomous University of the State of Mexico

Mexico | Toluca

For Physics

#14 in Mexico

#1883 in the World

Founded: 1956

79. National University of Rio Cuarto

Argentina | Rio Cuarto

For Physics

#8 in Argentina

#1915 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1971

80. Andres Bello University

Chile | Santiago

For Physics

#7 in Chile

#1943 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1988

81. National University of San Luis

Argentina | San Luis

For Physics

#9 in Argentina

#1956 in the World

Founded: 1973

82. Federal University of Ouro Preto

Brazil | Ouro Preto

For Physics

#40 in Brazil

#1964 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1969

83. National University of Cuyo

Argentina | Mendoza

For Physics

#10 in Argentina

#2003 in the World

Founded: 1939

84. National University of Tucuman

Argentina | San Miguel de Tucuman

For Physics

#11 in Argentina

#2047 in the World

Founded: 1914

85. Catholic University of the North

Chile | Antofagasta

For Physics

#8 in Chile

#2049 in the World

Founded: 1956

86. Southern University of Chile

Chile | Valdivia

For Physics

#9 in Chile

#2053 in the World

Founded: 1954

87. University of Valparaiso

Chile | Valparaiso

For Physics

#10 in Chile

#2141 in the World

Founded: 1911

88. Federal University of Maranhao

Brazil | Sao Luis

For Physics

#41 in Brazil

#2143 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1966

89. Santa Catarina State University

Brazil | Florianopolis

For Physics

#42 in Brazil

#2156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

90. Autonomous University of Queretaro

Mexico | Queretaro

For Physics

#15 in Mexico

#2168 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1951

91. State University of Ponta Grossa

Brazil | Ponta Grossa

For Physics

#43 in Brazil

#2169 in the World

Founded: 1970

92. Pontifical Catholic University of Parana

Brazil | Curitiba

For Physics

#44 in Brazil

#2178 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1959

93. Pontifical Catholic University of Peru

For Physics

#1 in Peru

#2215 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1917

94. University of La Frontera

For Physics

#11 in Chile

#2225 in the World

Founded: 1981

95. University of Talca

For Physics

#12 in Chile

#2275 in the World

Founded: 1981

96. University of the Rio dos Sinos Valley

Brazil | Sao Leopoldo

For Physics

#45 in Brazil

#2292 in the World

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

97. Federal University of Sao Joao del-Rei

Brazil | Sao Joao del-Rei

For Physics

#46 in Brazil

#2308 in the World

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

98. Federal Rural University of Pernambuco

Brazil | Recife

For Physics

#47 in Brazil

#2316 in the World

Founded: 1912

99. Autonomous University of Baja California

Mexico | Mexicali

For Physics

#16 in Mexico

#2317 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 67,944
Founded: 1957

100. University of Antofagasta

Chile | Antofagasta

For Physics

#13 in Chile

#2351 in the World

Founded: 1981

Physics subfields in Latin America

Acoustical Engineering251

Applied/Engineering Physics27

Astrophysics and Astronomy282

Atomic and Molecular physics123

Condensed Matter Physics169

Materials Science360

Medical Physics33

Nanotechnology237

Nuclear Physics204

Optical Engineering335

Quantum and Particle physics382

Theoretical Physics131