26 best universities in Chile in 2026
Ranking based on the average of the three main global rankings: Shanghai (ARWU), Times Higher Education and QS.
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC)
Average rank: #357
No. 1Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC)
Catholic university in Santiago, consistently ranked first in Chile and among the best in Latin America.
No. 2Universidad de Chile
Chile's oldest and most prestigious public university, founded in 1842, a symbol of national excellence.
No. 3Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI)
Elite private university specialized in business, law and engineering, pioneer of the MBA in Chile.
No. 4Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH)
Major public university in Santiago, heir to the School of Arts and Trades, strong in engineering and sciences.
No. 5Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (UTFSM)
Elite university in Valparaíso, founded by a philanthropic bequest, legendary for its engineering programs.
No. 6Universidad de Tarapacá
Public university in Arica, Chile's northernmost, on the border with Peru.
No. 7Universidad Diego Portales (UDP)
Prestigious private Santiago university known for law, architecture, journalism and the social sciences.
No. 8Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV)
Prestigious Catholic university in Valparaíso, founded in 1928, strong in engineering and marine sciences.
No. 9Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB)
One of Chile's largest private universities, recognized for its strong international outlook.
No. 10Universidad de los Andes
Catholic-inspired private university in Santiago, renowned for its medicine and demanding learning environment.
No. 11Universidad de La Frontera
Public university in Temuco, Araucanía, recognized for its health and engineering programs.
No. 12Universidad del Desarrollo (UDD)
Leading private Chilean university recognized for innovation, entrepreneurship and its business schools.
No. 13Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh)
Historic university in Valdivia, excelling in agronomy, veterinary and environmental sciences.
No. 14Universidad de Talca
Public university in the Maule region, recognized for excellence in law, engineering and forestry sciences.
No. 15Universidad de La Serena
Public university in northern Chile, renowned for astronomy at the gateway to the Atacama observatories.
No. 16Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN)
Catholic university in Antofagasta, renowned for geology and Atacama Desert sciences.
No. 17Universidad Autónoma de Chile
Private university with campuses in Talca, Santiago and Temuco, known for health sciences and law.
No. 18Universidad de Antofagasta
Public university in Chile's Great North, recognized for its medicine and geosciences programs.
No. 19Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción (UCSC)
Catholic private university in Concepción, known for its health and science programs.
No. 20Universidad del Bío-Bío
Public university in Concepción and Chillán, the only one in the Bío-Bío region, strong in engineering and forestry.
No. 21Universidad Católica de Temuco (UCT)
Catholic private university in Temuco, Araucanía, known for its health and education programs.
No. 22Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins (UBO)
Private Santiago university dedicated to social sciences, education and engineering.
No. 23Universidad Católica del Maule (UCM)
Catholic private university in Talca, known for accessible health and engineering programs.
No. 24Universidad Mayor
Private Chilean university renowned for its programs in health, engineering, film and audiovisual creation.