89 public universities in Brazil in 2026
The public universities in Brazil offer accessible education to as many students as possible, with recognised programs and a strong tradition of academic research.
89 public universities
Brazil has public institutions offering a wide range of programs, often with government-regulated fees and a strong tradition of academic research.
Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná (UENP)
A free public university in northern Paraná with campuses in Cornélio Procópio, Jacarezinho and Bandeirantes.
Universidade Estadual do Paraná (UNESPAR)
A multicampus public university in Paraná and a national reference in the arts, music and theatre.
Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (UERN)
A free public multicampus university in Rio Grande do Norte dedicated to the development of the state's interior.
Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul (UERGS)
A free public multicampus university in Rio Grande do Sul dedicated to regional development and innovation.
Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB)
A multicampus public university in southwestern Bahia, present in Jequié, Vitória da Conquista and Itapetinga.
Universidade de Brasília (UnB)
A federal university in Brazil's capital, founded in 1962, shaped by Anísio Teixeira and Oscar Niemeyer.
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)
A major free public state university in Rio de Janeiro, multicampus, known for medicine and law.
Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
Brazil's largest university, founded in 1934 and consistently ranked first in Latin America.
Universidade de Pernambuco (UPE)
A multicampus public university in Pernambuco, tuition-free at undergraduate level since 2010.
Universidade do Tocantins (UNITINS)
A public university in Tocantins, based in Palmas, with a broad offering, mostly through distance learning.
Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG)
A federal university in Minas Gerais, heir to a century-old pharmacy school, with strong health sciences.
Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP)
A federal university in Minas Gerais, heir to the School of Mines founded in 1876, in a UNESCO World Heritage town.
Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU)
A federal university in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, founded in 1969, a large multidisciplinary institution in the Triângulo Mineiro.
Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA)
The largest university in Brazil's Northeast, founded in 1946 in Salvador, known for health, arts and humanities.
Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG)
A federal university in Campina Grande, Paraíba, renowned for computing and engineering in the Northeast's tech hub.
Universidade Federal de Catalão (UFCAT)
A federal university in Catalão, Goiás, young and focused on engineering, agronomy and the exact sciences.
Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG)
A federal university in Goiânia, founded in 1960, a pillar of higher education in central Brazil.
Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF)
A federal university in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, founded in 1960, known for medicine and engineering.
Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC)
An innovative federal university in Santo André, São Paulo, founded in 2005, dedicated to exact sciences and technology.
Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC)
A federal university in Rio Branco and Acre's leading higher education institution, in western Amazonia.
Universidade Federal de Alagoas (UFAL)
A federal university in Maceió, founded in 1961, multicampus, serving the development of Alagoas.
Universidade Federal do Amapá (UFAP)
A federal university in Macapá and Amapá's leading higher education institution, on the Amazonian equator.
Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM)
Northern Brazil's largest university, founded in 1909 in Manaus and a pioneer of Amazonian studies.
Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES)
A federal university in Vitória, founded in 1954, known for engineering, medicine and marine sciences.