Of the best universities in Latin America, Chilean universities are on their way to becoming the institutions with the greatest international projection in the Latin American region, as suggested by the latest Times Higher Education Latin America University Rankings 2023.
The ranking of the best universities in Latin America for the year 2023 includes 197 institutions in 15 countries, compared to 13 countries last year. Which is headed in first place by the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile for the fifth consecutive year, while the Brazilian universities of São Paulo and Campinas maintain second and third place respectively. The Monterrey Technological Institute of Mexico advances one position and occupies fourth place.
Paraguay enters the ranking, with the National University of Asunción in joint 82nd place. Likewise, Bolivia debuts with the Universidad Mayor de San Simón, which is located in the 126-150 range.
Within the classification, Brazil continues to be the most represented country, with 65 institutions, followed by Colombia, which now has 36 classified institutions, compared to 29 last year. Chilean universities are increasingly looking outward, this time it is less dominant in the general table, falling to third place.
The 5 best universities in Latin America
1. Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile
The Pontifical Catholic University of Chile is one of the six private Catholic institutions within the Chilean university system and is one of the two pontifical universities in the country.
In its beginnings, the university offered courses in Law, Mathematics, Legal Sciences and Physical Sciences. However, in 1935 the Faculty of Theology was established, thus expanding its academic offerings to cover disciplines such as philosophy, commerce and technology.
The university has four campuses located in Santiago, the capital of Chile, which is recognized as the cultural, political and financial epicenter of the country, housing the headquarters of various multinational companies. The fifth campus is located in Villarrica, near the city lake.
2. University of São Paulo, Brazil
It is not surprising that the University of São Paulo (USP) is positioned as the second of the best universities in Latin America in the World University Rankings 2023. It also holds the title of the most prestigious academic institution in the region, according to a survey carried out among outstanding academics, and is ranked second in the general classification in Latin America.
As the largest public institution of higher education in Brazil and one of the largest in South America, USP currently has approximately 83,000 students distributed across 11 campuses, four of which are located in São Paulo.
Graduates of this university have a notable track record of rising to leadership roles in some of the world’s leading companies. Twelve Brazilian presidents have obtained their degrees at USP. Since its founding in 1934, the university attracted prominent international professors and set a new standard in teaching and research in the country.
The academic offering covers more than 200 undergraduate programs and 200 postgraduate programs covering a wide range of disciplines. In addition to its faculties, the university operates four hospitals and has 24 museums and galleries on its various campuses.
3. University of Campinas, Brazil
The University of Campinas, better known as Unicamp, represents a public institution focused on research and is located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
Founded in 1966, despite being one of the newest institutions in Brazil, Unicamp has consolidated its position as a leading medical and scientific research center.
The campus layout is distinctive, with the main library, student services and dining hall located in a circular central plaza, while most academic buildings are arranged in blocks extending from the centre. The university offers 70 undergraduate and 153 postgraduate programs in four main areas: exact sciences, human sciences, biological sciences and technologies.
4. Technological Institute of Monterrey, Mexico
It is a private university system that was established in 1943 in Monterrey, Mexico. It offers a wide range of academic programs, including bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, in disciplines spanning engineering, management, social sciences, arts, sciences and medicine. Currently, it has 31 campuses distributed in 25 cities in Mexico.
The outstanding reputation of Tecnológico de Monterrey, which dates back to its founding, is due to the culture it promotes of entrepreneurship, work, efficiency and responsibility among its students. This prestige motivates graduates, coming from various regions of Mexico, to promote the presence of Tecnológico de Monterrey in their hometowns.
The university actively encourages students to undertake study periods abroad. Diversity is a distinctive feature, as students represent more than 70 nationalities on campus.
5. Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil
Fifth place among the best universities in Latin America is occupied by the Federal University of São Paulo, known in Portuguese as Universidade Federal De São Paulo or UNIFESP, it is a public university in Brazil.
From its foundation until 2005, UNIFESP was a university specialized in health sciences. Its mission was to turn students into health professionals and contribute to medical research.
The original nucleus of the university was the Paulista School of Medicine, which dates back to 1933. In 1994 it went from being a private institution to a federal one. The university’s headquarters are located in Vila Clementino, São Paulo.
In 2005, the university expanded outside of São Paulo, establishing campuses in Santos, Diadema, Guarulhos, São José dos Campos and Osasco. Several of these campuses offer courses in academic fields that go beyond traditional UNIFESP medical training, such as philosophy, history and economics.
São Paulo is considered one of the most populated cities on the planet. Its 11 million inhabitants work hard and play hard, with bars open 24 hours a day and the most productive economy in Brazil. As the capital of the state of São Paulo, the city is an hour’s drive from the Paulista Coast, with its stunning beaches and abundant seafood.
List with the 10 best universities in Latin America
- Pontifical Catholic University of Chile – Chile
- University of São Paulo – Brazil
- University of Campinas – Brazil
- Monterrey Technological Institute – Mexico
- Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) – Brazil
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul – Brazil
- Federal University of Minas Gerais – Brazil
- Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) – Brazil
- University of Chile – Chile
- Paulista State University (Unesp) – Brazil
By making the decision to study at one of these Latin American universities, you will immerse yourself in an environment that combines rich cultural diversity with top-level academic quality. We encourage you to explore the options available to you and choose the university that best suits your goals and aspirations.
