Universities in Brazil

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest country in the world, both in terms of land area and population. The country is renowned for its biodiversity, culture, and scenic beauty. Brazil also has a well-developed education system with both public and private institutions. The government invests heavily in education, with around 6% of the national GDP dedicated to education. However, the quality of education can vary widely between institutions, with some being highly regarded and others less so. Brazilian universities are known for their research capabilities, and many institutions have active partnerships with international universities and research organizations. Additionally, Brazil is home to a large number of international students, with more than 50,000 studying in the country in recent years.

Top 10 Universities of Brazil - 2026

Following is a list of the 10 top universities in Brazil ranked during 2026. Click on a university to find its detailed information.

Rank	Name	City
#1	University of São Paulo	São Paulo
#2	State University of Campinas	Campinas
#3	Federal University of Rio de Janeiro	Rio de Janeiro
#4	São Paulo State University	São Paulo
#5	Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro	Rio de Janeiro
#6	Federal University of Minas Gerais	Belo Horizonte
#7	Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul	Porto Alegre
#8	Federal University of Santa Catarina	Florianopolis
#9	University of Brasília	Brasilia
#10	Federal University of São Paulo	São Paulo

List of Universities in Brazil

Following is a list of 181 universities in Brazil. Click on a university to find its detailed information.

Name	City
Acaraú Valley State University	Sobral
Alagoas State University of Health Sciences	Maceio
Anhembi Morumbi University	São Paulo
Bahia State University	Salvador
Cândido Mendes University	Rio de Janeiro
Castelo Branco University	Rio de Janeiro
Catholic University Dom Bosco	Campo Grande
Catholic University of Brasília	Taguatinga
Catholic University of Goiás	Goiania
Catholic University of Pelotas	Pelotas
Catholic University of Pernambuco	Recife
Catholic University of Petrópolis	Petropolis
Catholic University of Salvador	Salvador
Catholic University of Santos	Santos
Chapecó Region Community University	Chapeco
City University of Sao Paulo	São Paulo
Contestado University	Caçador
Estácio de Sá University	Rio de Janeiro
Federal Foundation University of Rio Grande	Rio Grande
Federal Rural University of Pernambuco	Recife
Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro	Seropedica
Federal Rural University of the Amazon	Belem
Federal Rural University of the Semi-Árido	Mossoro
Federal Technological University of Paraná	Curitiba
Federal University of Abc	Santo Andre
Federal University of Acre	Rio Branco
Federal University of Alagoas	Maceio
Federal University of Alfenas	Alfenas
Federal University of Amapa	Macapa
Federal University of Amazonas	Manaus
Federal University of Bahia	Salvador
Federal University of Campina Grande	Campina Grande
Federal University of Ceará	Fortaleza
Federal University of Espírito Santo	Vitória
Federal University of Goiás	Goiania
Federal University of Grande Dourados	Dourados
Federal University of Health Sciences, Porto Alegre	Porto Alegre
Federal University of Itajubá	Itajuba
Federal University of Juiz de Fora	Juiz de Fora
Federal University of Lavras	Lavras
Federal University of Maranhão	São Luis
Federal University of Mato Grosso	Cuiabá
Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul	Campo Grande
Federal University of Minas Gerais	Belo Horizonte
Federal University of Ouro Prêto	Ouro Preto
Federal University of Pampa	Bage
Federal University of Pará	Belem
Federal University of Paraíba	João Pessoa
Federal University of Paraná	Curitiba
Federal University of Pelotas	Pelotas
Federal University of Pernambuco	Recife
Federal University of Piauí	Teresina
Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia	Cruz das Almas
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro	Rio de Janeiro
Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte	Natal
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul	Porto Alegre
Federal University of Rondônia	Porto Velho
Federal University of Roraima	Boa Vista
Federal University of Santa Catarina	Florianopolis
Federal University of Santa Maria	Santa Maria
Federal University of São Carlos	São Carlos
Federal University of São João del-Rei	São Joao del Rei
Federal University of São Paulo	São Paulo
Federal University of Sergipe	São Cristovao
Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro	Rio de Janeiro
Federal University of the Valleys of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri	Diamantina
Federal University of Tocantins	Palmas
Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro	Uberaba
Federal University of Uberlândia	Uberlândia
Federal University of Vale do São Francisco	Petrolina
Federal University of Viçosa	Viçosa
Fluminense Federal University	Niteroi
FUMEC University	Belo Horizonte
Gama Filho University	Rio de Janeiro
Grande Rio University	Duque de Caxias
Guarulhos University	Guarulhos
Ibirapuera University	São Paulo
Iguaçu University	Nova Iguaçu
Lutheran University of Brazil	Canoas
Mackenzie Presbyterian University	São Paulo
Mato Grosso State University	Caceres
Methodist University of Piracicaba	Piracicaba
Methodist University of São Paulo	São Bernardo do Campo
Metropolitan University of Santos	Santos
Minas Gerais State University	Belo Horizonte
Municipal University of São Caetano do Sul	São Caetano do Sul
Nove de Julho University	São Paulo
Pará State University	Belem
Paranaense University	Umuarama
Paulista University	São Paulo
Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas	Campinas
Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais	Belo Horizonte
Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná	Curitiba
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro	Rio de Janeiro
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul	Porto Alegre
Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo	São Paulo
Positivo University	Curitiba
Potiguar University	Natal
President Antônio Carlos University	Barbacena
Regional Integrated University of Upper Uruguai and Missions	Erechim
Regional University of Blumenau	Blumenau
Regional University of Cariri	Crato
Regional University of Northwest Rio Grande do Sul State	Ijui
Rio Grande do Norte State University	Mossoro
Sacred Heart University	Bauru
Salgado de Oliveira University	São Goncalo
Salvador University	Salvador
Santa Catarina State University	Florianopolis
São Francisco University	Braganca Paulista
São Judas Tadeu University	São Paulo
São Marcos University	São Paulo
São Paulo State University	São Paulo
Sapucai Valley University	Pouso Alegre
State University of Alagoas	Arapiraca
State University of Campinas	Campinas
State University of Ceará	Fortaleza
State University of Feira de Santana	Feira de Santana
State University of Goiás	Anápolis
State University of Londrina	Londrina
State University of Maranhão	São Luis
State University of Maringá	Maringa
State University of Mato Grosso do Sul	Dourados
State University of Montes Claros	Montes Claros
State University of North Fluminense	Campos dos Goytacazes
State University of Paraíba	Campina Grande
State University of Piauí	Teresina
State University of Ponta Grossa	Ponta Grossa
State University of Rio Grande do Sul	Porto Alegre
State University of Roraima	Boa Vista
State University of Santa Cruz	Ilheus
State University of Southwest Bahia	Vitória da Conquista
State University of the Central West	Guarapuava
State University of West Paraná	Cascavel
The University of Vassouras	Vassouras
Tiradentes University	Aracaju
University Braz Cubas	Mogi das Cruzes
University Camilo Castelo Branco	São Paulo
University for the Development of Alto Vale do Itajai	Rio do Sul
University for the Development of the State and Region of the Pantanal	Campo Grande
University of Amazon	Belem
University of Anhanguera	Campo Grande
University of Brasília	Brasilia
University of Caxias do Sul	Caxias do Sul
University of Cruz Alta	Cruz Alta
University of Cuiabá	Cuiaba
University of Fortaleza	Fortaleza
University of Franca	Franca
University of Itaúna	Itauna
University of José do Rosário Vellano	Alfenas
University of Marília	Marilia
University of Mogi das Cruzes	Mogi das Cruzes
University of Northern Paraná	Londrina
University of Passo Fundo	Passo Fundo
University of Pernambuco	Recife
University of Ribeirão Preto	Ribeirão Preto
University of Rio Verde	Rio Verde
University of Saint Úrsula	Rio de Janeiro
University of Santa Cecília	Santos
University of Santa Cruz do Sul	Santa Cruz do Sul
University of Santo Amaro	São Paulo
University of São Paulo	São Paulo
University of Sorocaba	Sorocaba
University of South Santa Catarina	Tubarao
University of Taubaté	Taubate
University of the Catarina Plateau	Lages
University of the Extreme South of Santa Catarina	Criciuma
University of the Region of Campanha	Bage
University of the Region of Joinville	Joinville
University of the Rio dos Sinos Valley	São Leopoldo
University of the State of Amazonas	Manaus
University of the State of Rio de Janeiro	Rio de Janeiro
University of the Valley of Itajaí	Itajai
University of Tocantins	Palmas
University of Tuiuti do Paraná	Curitiba
University of Uberaba	Uberaba
University of Vale do Paraíba	São Jose dos Campos
University of Vale do Rio Doce	Governador Valadares
University of Vale do Rio Verde	Tres Coracoes
University of West Paulista	Presidente Prudente
University of West Santa Catarina	Joacaba
Veiga de Almeida University	Rio de Janeiro

Featured Articles

Following is a list of 8 informative articles with valuable insights into universities and higher education in Brazil.

International student trends in 2026 reveal shifting preferences toward career-focused education, flexible visa policies, and better post-study opportunities. While countries like the United States and United Kingdom remain top choices, leading institutions such as Harvard University and University of Oxford continue to attract students worldwide. [Read More]

QS Ranking is a global system that compares universities by reputation, citations, faculty–student ratio, employability, internationalization, and sustainability. Use it to shortlist schools and subjects, track trends, and benchmark options—but pair rankings with course fit, costs, support, and real student feedback. [Read More]

Online university learning offers flexibility, accessibility, and cost savings but requires strong time management and self-motivation. Compared to onsite education, it lacks in-person interaction and networking opportunities. Students can succeed by establishing routines, staying organized, and engaging actively in virtual classrooms. [Read More]

Unraveling the methodology behind QS rankings reveals a multifaceted approach, balancing academic reputation, research impact, employability, and global diversity. While criticisms persist, QS continually evolves its methodology to capture the evolving landscape of higher education, guiding stakeholders with nuanced insights beyond mere numerical standings. [Read More]

In higher education, achieving true equity, inclusion, and social justice poses challenges. Implicit bias, underrepresentation, and campus climate hinder progress. Embracing diversity is key to fostering an inclusive academic landscape. [Read More]

Discover the oldest universities in the world, from the historic Al-Azhar University in Cairo to the prestigious University of Coimbra in Portugal. Explore their rich legacies, renowned alumni, and enduring contributions to education and scholarship. [Read More]

Discover the top 10 universities that have produced the most Nobel Prize winners. From Harvard to Oxford, these institutions have made groundbreaking discoveries in fields like physics, chemistry, and medicine, revolutionizing the way we live our lives. Learn about their notable contributions to society and the impact they have made on the world. [Read More]

Universities around the world celebrate Earth Day by organizing a range of events and initiatives that promote sustainability and environmental awareness. From campus clean-ups to sustainability fairs and speaker series featuring environmental experts, universities demonstrate their commitment to protecting our planet and creating a sustainable future. Discover how universities celebrate Earth Day and their role in promoting environmental awareness. [Read More]