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 Federal do Norte do Tocantins (UFNT)
A young federal university in Tocantins, based in Araguaína, dedicated to health, law and engineering.
Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA)
A multicampus federal university in Brazil's southern pampas, present in several border-region cities.
Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA)
A large Amazonian federal university in Belém, founded in 1957 and a reference for forest and Amazon sciences.
Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR)
Brazil's oldest university, founded in 1912 in Curitiba, tuition-free and multidisciplinary.
Universidade Federal do Piauí (UFPI)
A federal university in Teresina, founded in 1973, multicampus and present across Piauí.
Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia (UFRB)
A federal university in Cruz das Almas, Bahia, created in 2006, known for its innovative pedagogical model.
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG)
A Brazilian federal university on the Patos Lagoon, renowned for marine, oceanographic and aquaculture research.
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN)
A federal university in Natal, founded in 1958, among northeastern Brazil's largest research universities.
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)
A major federal university in Porto Alegre, dating from 1895 and among Brazil's best.
Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará (UNIFESSPA)
A multicampus federal university in southeastern Pará, created in 2013, at the heart of mining and energy issues.
Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT)
A multicampus federal university in Tocantins, founded in 2000, present in Palmas and across the state.
Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM)
A federal university in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, founded in 1953, renowned for medicine and health sciences.
Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF)
A federal university in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro State, founded in 1960, multicampus and strong in health and law.
Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA)
A federal rural university in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, dedicated to agricultural science in Brazil's semi-arid region.
Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul (USCS)
A municipal public university in São Caetano do Sul, in São Paulo's ABC region, offering tuition-free programs.
Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA)
A public university in Crato, Ceará, in the Cariri region, recognized for health and life sciences.
Universidade Virtual do Estado de São Paulo (UNIVESP)
São Paulo's fully online public university, tuition-free, with over 400 support centers across the state.