South America boasts a rich educational landscape, with universities that combine academic rigor, rich cultural heritage, and world-class research. Discussed are some of the leading Universities in South America and across the world.
From the historic institutions of Brazil to top-ranked universities in Chile and Argentina, the continent offers some of the most respected centers of higher learning.
77 Best universities in South America Ranked
Students seeking prestigious campuses for their higher learning endeavors in the continent have multiple options regardless of their disciplines.
Which are the best universities in South America?
1. University of São Paulo (USP)
The University of Sao Paulo is a public research university in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, and the largest public university in Brazil.
Telephone | +55 11 30913116 |
Founded | 1934 |
Address | Rua da Reitoria, 374 – Cidade Universitária, São Paulo – SP, 05508-220, Brazil |
It was founded in 1934 by the Government of São Paulo State, it is one of Latin America’s largest and most prestigious universities.
USP leads in research and innovation, offering a wide range of disciplines.
2. Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
The Pontifical Catholic University of Chile founded in 1888 by the Archbishop Mariano Casanova is a traditional private university based in Santiago, Chile.
Telephone | +56 2 2354 4000 |
Founded | 1888 |
Address | Av. Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile |
PUC Chile stands out for its Catholic tradition, academic excellence, and leadership in social sciences and engineering.
3. University of Buenos Aires (UBA)
The University of Buenos Aires is a public research university in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is the second-oldest university in the country, and the largest university of the country by enrollment.
Telephone | +54 11 5285-6000 |
Founded | 1821 |
Address | Viamonte 430, C1053ABJ, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
UBA founded in 1821 is a leading public university known for producing Nobel laureates and presidents, with strong programs in law, medicine, and economics.
4. University of Campinas (Unicamp)
The University of Campinas, commonly called Unicamp, is a public research university in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
Telephone | +55 19 3521-2121 |
Founded | 1966 |
Address | R. Sérgio Buarque de Holanda, 500 – Campinas – SP, 13083-865, Brazil |
A research-intensive university, Unicamp from 1966 is especially strong in engineering, natural sciences, and technology.
5. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro founded in 1920 is the largest federal university in the country and is one of the Brazilian centers of excellence in teaching and research.
Telephone | +55 21 3938-9400 |
Founded | 1920 |
Address | Av. Pedro Calmon, 550 – Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 21941-901, Brazil |
UFRJ is Brazil’s oldest university and a leader in arts, science, and medicine education in Latin America.
6. University of the Andes (Uniandes)
The University of the Andes, also commonly self-styled as Uniandes, is a private research university located in the city centre of Bogotá, Colombia.
Telephone | +57 601 3394949 |
Founded | 1948 |
Address | Bogotá, Colombia |
Founded in 1948 by a group of Colombian intellectuals led by Mario Laserna Pinzón, it was the first Colombian university established as nonsectarian.
7. National University of Colombia (UNAL)
The National University of Colombia is a national public research university in Colombia, with general campuses in Bogotá, MedellÃn, Manizales and Palmira, and satellite campuses in Leticia, San Andrés, Arauca, Tumaco, and La Paz, Cesar.
Telephone | +57 601 3165000 |
Founded | 1867 |
Address | Bogotá, Colombia |
UNAL founded in 1867 is known for inclusive education and cutting-edge research.
8. Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP)
Pontifical Catholic University of Peru is a private university in Lima,
Telephone | +51 1 6262000 |
Founded | 1917 |
Address | Av. Universitaria 1801, San Miguel, Lima 32, Peru |
Fou8nded in 1917, PUCP is Peru’s highest-ranked university, recognized for its innovation in arts, social sciences, and environmental studies.
9. Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)
The Federal University of Minas Gerais founded in 1927 is a federal research university located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Telephone | +55 31 3409-5000 |
Founded | 1927 |
Address | Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 – Pampulha, Belo Horizonte – MG, 31270-901, Brazil |
UFMG is a public university known for its strong programs in health sciences, technology, and humanities.
10. University of Chile (Universidad de Chile)
The University of Chile is a public research university in Santiago, Chile.
Telephone | +56 2 2978 2000 |
Founded | 1842 |
Address | Av. Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins 1058, Santiago, Chile |
It was founded on November 19, 1842, and inaugurated on September 17, 1843. It is the oldest university in the country.
List of all best universities and campuses in South America
- University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil
- Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (PUC Chile), Chile
- University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Argentina
- University of Campinas (Unicamp), Brazil
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
- University of the Andes (Uniandes), Colombia
- National University of Colombia (UNAL), Colombia
- Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP), Peru
- Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
- University of Chile (Universidad de Chile), Chile
- Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil
- State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil
- University of Concepción, Chile
- University of the Republic (UDELAR), Uruguay
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil
- Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Brazil
- National University of San Marcos (UNMSM), Peru
- Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil
- National University of La Plata (UNLP), Argentina
- University of Santiago, Chile (USACH)
- Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Brazil
- National University of Córdoba, Argentina
- University of BrasÃlia (UnB), Brazil
- Pontifical Xavierian University (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana), Colombia
- Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA), Argentina
- Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Brazil
- Simón BolÃvar University, Venezuela
- Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Brazil
- University of Los Andes, Venezuela
- Austral University, Argentina
- National University of Rosario, Argentina
- Pontifical Catholic University of ValparaÃso, Chile
- Technological University of Pereira (UTP), Colombia
- Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Brazil
- University of Antioquia, Colombia
- Universidad del Norte (Uninorte), Colombia
- University of Talca, Chile
- Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC Minas), Brazil
- Universidad de las Américas (UDLA), Ecuador
- Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Venezuela
- Universidad de Palermo, Argentina
- Catholic University of Uruguay (UCU), Uruguay
- Universidad de Belgrano, Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina
- Universidad Técnica Federico Santa MarÃa, Chile
- Universidad de San Andrés, Argentina
- University of Lima, Peru
- University of Cuenca, Ecuador
- Catholic University of Bolivia (UCB), Bolivia
- University of Sucre, Bolivia
- Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE), Ecuador
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Ecuador
- University of Tarapacá, Chile
- Universidad Técnica de Ambato (UTA), Ecuador
- Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Chile
More universities in specific regions within the continent are summarized below;
Top universities in countries across South America
1 | Argentina |
2 | Bolivia |
3 | Brazil |
4 | Chile |
5 | Colombia |
6 | Ecuador |
7 | Guyana |
8 | Paraguay |
9 | Peru |
10 | Suriname |
11 | Uruguay |
12 | Venezuela |
There are even more universities in other continents across the world.
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