THE LatAm Rankings 2020 Released

CHILE HOLDS ONTO TOP SPOT IN TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION LATIN AMERICA UNIVERSITY RANKINGS AS BRAZIL DOMINATES TOP 20

• Latest THE Latam Rankings demonstrate growing strength of institutions across Latin America and Caribbean region
• Record number of universities qualify for the 2020 rankings (166), 10% increase on 2019
• The University of the West Indies becomes the first Caribbean institution to rank in the top 20
• Pontifical Catholic University of Chile achieves top spot for the second consecutive year as top 3 remains unchanged
• Monterrey Institute of Technology moves up to 4^th (5^th in 2019) but majority of Mexican institutions struggle to maintain or improve positions
• 12 countries and regions represented in the top 100, and a record number of countries and regions represented overall (13)
• Brazil (44), Chile (20) and Colombia (10) are the top represented countries in the top 100
• 21 universities ranked for the first time, including eight debutants in the top 100
• ORT Uruguay University becomes the first Uruguayan institution to qualify for Latam rankings (101-125^th)

London, 7 July 2020

Released today, the 5^th edition of Times Higher Education’s (THE) Latin America (Latam) University Rankings underline the success stories coming out of higher education in the Latam and Caribbean region. With a record 166 universities qualifying for the 2020 ranking, a 10% increase on the previous year, the growing quality of higher education in Latam and the Caribbean is evident.

After becoming the first Chilean university to top the rankings in 2019, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile holds onto first place for the second year, with the top three remaining unchanged (Brazil’s University of São Paulo 2^nd, and University of Campinas 3^rd). While Mexico’s Monterrey Institute of Technology moves up from 5^th to 4^th, Mexican institutions struggle to better their 2019 performance, with only 3 of 22 improving their previous position.

Brazil’s Federal University of Santa Catarina (9^th) is the only new entrant into the top 10 since 2019, as Brazilian universities record the highest representation for one country (7) in the top 10 since the rankings began. Colombia loses its only top 10 place from 2019, as its University of the Andes falls from 9^th to 11^th. Although the remaining nine universities from 2019’s top 10 remain in the same band, four have improved their positions and two have dropped.

Brazil’s dominance further flows into the top 20, with 13 universities represented.  Colombia (2), Chile (2), Mexico (2), and Jamaica (1) secure the remaining spots. The University of the West Indies becomes the first ever Caribbean institution to rank in the top 20, making an impressive climb up the table from 32^nd in 2019, to 18^th in 2020. Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (31^st) fails to qualify in the top 20 since it first entered the rankings in 2018, falling 11 places since last year. Mexico’s Metropolitan Autonomous University, 21^st (18^th in 2019), and Brazil’s Federal University of Ceará (UFC), 35^th (19^th in 2019), also fail to maintain their top 20 positions.

There are a record 13 countries and regions represented in this year’s rankings, and 12 countries and regions in the top 100, with Brazil (44), Chile (20) and Colombia (10) the highest represented in the top 100 band. The diversity of this year’s ranking stems from the inclusion of 21 debutants. 11 new Brazilian universities rank, the highest from any country, including the highest ranked new entrant, Brazil’s Federal University of Uberlândia (55^th). There are eight debutants who have achieved the impressive feat of qualifying in the top 100, from Brazil (5), Argentina (2), and one from Ecuador, demonstrating the growing strength of institutions across the region. Furthermore, ORT Uruguay University becomes the first Uruguayan institution to qualify for the Latam Rankings (101-125^th).

As a result of three debutant Ecuadorian institutions qualifying this year (University of Las Américas (UDLA), UEES Espiritu Santo University, and Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas - ESPE), Ecuador records its highest ever representation in the rankings (9). Brazil remains the top represented country with 61 institutions, more than double its nearest rival, Chile (30). Additionally, all ranked Argentinian universities (8) qualify in the top 100 for the fourth year in a row.

 (Press releases available upon request for Brazil and Chile)