LatAm Universities Struggle in Global Rankings

Higher education in Latin America continues to suffer from limited financial resources and a shortage of qualified faculty, with only one institution from the region securing a spot in the latest QS’ top 100 global universities.

The University of Buenos Aires is the sole Latin American university to enter the index, placing 84th. In contrast, Brazil’s Universidade de São Paulo, long regarded as one of the region’s top performers, has slipped to 108th. Chile’s Pontifical Catholic University ranks 116th, making it the third-highest ranked institution from Latin America.

This year, QS evaluated over 1,500 universities from 106 countries. Institutions were assessed based on factors including research output, graduate employability, learning environment, and global engagement.

Among the countries with the most institutions featured, Brazil led with 24 universities, followed by Mexico with 22 and Chile with 20.

Yet, regional performance has broadly declined. Of the 137 Latin American universities analyzed, 50% lost ground compared to the previous edition, while 40% maintained their positions. Three major institutions — USP (Brazil), PUC (Chile), and UNAM (Mexico) — dropped out of the top 100 globally.

QS highlighted a growing imbalance within the region, especially in countries like Argentina, Chile and Colombia. While a handful of universities show signs of progress, most remain stagnant or are falling behind.

In a prior report focused on Latin America, Ben Sowter, senior vice president at QS, emphasized that budget deficits and lack of academic staff are among the primary obstacles preventing universities from advancing. “Latin America continues to face challenges related to investment, access and resource availability,” he noted.

Efforts to internationalize universities remain limited, further affecting global standing. Nonetheless, Sowter acknowledged that some flagship universities have made measurable progress in areas such as employment outcomes and academic reputation.

University of Buenos Aires

For the second consecutive year, the University of Buenos Aires has secured a place among the top 100 universities globally. However, it has dropped over 12 positions compared to the previous QS ranking.

UBA is widely recognized for its historical significance and academic legacy. It is Argentina’s oldest and largest university, established in 1821. The institution has played a crucial role in shaping the country’s scientific and technological development.

Its alumni network is among the most distinguished in the region, including 17 former Argentine presidents and four Nobel Prize laureates. One of the key factors contributing to its continued global recognition is its growing international student body. Each year, foreign students comprise more than 5% of undergraduate and 15% of postgraduate enrolments.

Brazil and Mexico: Diverging Trends

The University of São Paulo has for the first time fallen out of the global top 100. The institution had already shown a downward trend in recent years — ranked 85th in 2023 and 92nd in 2024 — before sliding to 108th in the latest rankings.

Despite this setback, Brazil still boasts the most robust higher education system in Latin America. It has a wider base of institutions and the largest representation among the world’s top 500 universities.

Other notable Brazilian institutions include the State University of Campinas, ranked 232nd; the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, at 304th; and São Paulo State University, placed 489th. Among private universities, PUC-Rio leads at 571st, followed by PUC-SP, PUCRS and Mackenzie.

Mexico’s Tecnológico de Monterrey has retained its strong global position, ranking 187th overall. Its standing is supported by high-impact research and a solid reputation among employers. The university also ranks 29th globally among private institutions, climbing one position from last year.

“Our recognition goes to professors, researchers, students, and collaborators,” said David Garza Salazar, Executive President of Tecnológico de Monterrey, in a statement acknowledging the achievement.

The University of Chile now holds the 173rd position in the QS Rankings. While still the country’s second-best ranked institution, it dropped 34 places from its previous ranking of 139th. It remains behind the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, which is ranked 116th.