77 Best Universities in South America, List of Top Ranking Campuses

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
Founded1934
AddressRua 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
Founded1888
AddressAv. 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.

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Telephone+54 11 5285-6000
Founded1821
AddressViamonte 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
Founded1966
AddressR. 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
Founded1920
AddressAv. 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
Founded1948
AddressBogotá, 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, Medellín, Manizales and Palmira, and satellite campuses in Leticia, San Andrés, Arauca, Tumaco, and La Paz, Cesar.

Telephone+57 601 3165000
Founded1867
AddressBogotá, 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
Founded1917
AddressAv. 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.

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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
Founded1927
AddressAv. 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
Founded1842
AddressAv. 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

  1. University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil
  2. Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (PUC Chile), Chile
  3. University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Argentina
  4. University of Campinas (Unicamp), Brazil
  5. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
  6. University of the Andes (Uniandes), Colombia
  7. National University of Colombia (UNAL), Colombia
  8. Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP), Peru
  9. Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
  10. University of Chile (Universidad de Chile), Chile
  11. Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil
  12. State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil
  13. University of Concepción, Chile
  14. University of the Republic (UDELAR), Uruguay
  15. Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil
  16. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Brazil
  17. National University of San Marcos (UNMSM), Peru
  18. Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil
  19. National University of La Plata (UNLP), Argentina
  20. University of Santiago, Chile (USACH)
  21. Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Brazil
  22. National University of Córdoba, Argentina
  23. University of Brasília (UnB), Brazil
  24. Pontifical Xavierian University (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana), Colombia
  25. Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA), Argentina
  26. Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Brazil
  27. Simón Bolívar University, Venezuela
  28. Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Brazil
  29. University of Los Andes, Venezuela
  30. Austral University, Argentina
  31. National University of Rosario, Argentina
  32. Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, Chile
  33. Technological University of Pereira (UTP), Colombia
  34. Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Brazil
  35. University of Antioquia, Colombia
  36. Universidad del Norte (Uninorte), Colombia
  37. University of Talca, Chile
  38. Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC Minas), Brazil
  39. Universidad de las Américas (UDLA), Ecuador
  40. Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Venezuela
  41. Universidad de Palermo, Argentina
  42. Catholic University of Uruguay (UCU), Uruguay
  43. Universidad de Belgrano, Argentina
  44. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina
  45. Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Chile
  46. Universidad de San Andrés, Argentina
  47. University of Lima, Peru
  48. University of Cuenca, Ecuador
  49. Catholic University of Bolivia (UCB), Bolivia
  50. University of Sucre, Bolivia
  51. Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE), Ecuador
  52. Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Ecuador
  53. University of Tarapacá, Chile
  54. Universidad Técnica de Ambato (UTA), Ecuador
  55. Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Chile

More universities in specific regions within the continent are summarized below;

Top universities in countries across South America

1Argentina
2Bolivia
3Brazil
4Chile
5Colombia
6Ecuador
7Guyana
8Paraguay
9Peru
10Suriname
11Uruguay
12Venezuela

There are even more universities in other continents across the world.