University Students In Brazil: What's The Count?

Brazil has a large number of universities and colleges, with over 2,368 higher education institutions recognised by the Ministry of Education. In 2023, there were more than 9.9 million undergraduate students enrolled in Brazilian universities, an increase from 4.6 million in 2005. This number includes students enrolled in both on-site and distance learning programs, with distance learning becoming increasingly popular. Brazil's higher education system includes private and public institutions, with public universities being tuition-free. However, more than 75% of students enrolled in bachelor's degree programs attend private institutions, often due to the competitive entrance exams for public universities.

In 2023, there were over 9.9 million undergraduate students enrolled in Brazilian universities

Brazil has a population of over 211 million people, and in 2023, there were over 9.9 million undergraduate students enrolled in Brazilian universities. This number has been steadily increasing since 2005, when 4.6 million students were enrolled.

The Brazilian university system is made up of public (federal or state), Catholic, and private institutions. There are 127 universities in Brazil, 68 of which are public. Of the 894 institutions of higher education, 222 are public. The structure comprises universities, faculdades (colleges), and isolated institutions.

Brazil has both private and public higher education institutions (HEIs) classified into four main categories: universities, colleges, university centers, and federal institutes. Universities are the most complex institutions as they incorporate regular learning activities, scientific research, and extension programs. Research is mainly conducted in federal institutions.

In 2023, approximately 5.06 million students were enrolled in on-site programs, while over 4.9 million were enrolled in distance learning programs. The number of students enrolled in on-site programs has been decreasing since 2015. However, the number of new students enrolled in distance learning programs has been increasing.

Most bachelor's students attend private higher education institutions. In the 2019 census, there were over 16.4 million admission spots, 94.9% of which were in private institutions and only 5.1% in public HEIs. This is despite federal and state universities being tuition-free. Programs such as FIES (Student Financing Fund) have helped students finance tuition fees and start paying loans after graduation, facilitating access to private institutions.

There are more than 2,368 Brazilian universities and colleges recognised by the MEC (Ministry of Education)

Brazil is home to a vast array of higher education institutions, with a total of over 2,368 universities and colleges recognised by the MEC (Ministry of Education). This includes both public and private institutions, offering a diverse range of educational opportunities for students across the country.

Among these institutions, there are federal and state universities, as well as technological colleges and universities specialising in specific fields such as art, music, and aeronautics. The recognition of these institutions by the MEC ensures that students can pursue their academic goals with confidence in the quality and legitimacy of their chosen place of study.

The sheer number of universities and colleges in Brazil speaks to the country's commitment to higher education and the value it places on accessibility and choice for its students. With such a wide selection of recognised institutions, students have the advantage of finding the best fit for their academic pursuits, whether they are interested in STEM fields, humanities, or any other area of study.

In recent years, Brazil has also become a significant source of international students, particularly to the United States. As the 9th leading country worldwide sending students to the US, Brazil highlights the global recognition of its own higher education system while also contributing to cultural exchange and academic diversity abroad.

Brazil's public universities play a significant role in science production

Brazil has over 9.9 million undergraduate students enrolled in its universities and higher education institutions as of 2023. The country has a mixed system of public and privately funded universities. Public universities can be funded by the federal government or state governments, while private schools can be for-profit or, in the case of Catholic universities, not-for-profit.

Moreover, over 95% of Brazilian scientific production made available internationally comes from public universities, with emphasis on areas such as agriculture, medicine, and health. This is further supported by the fact that some of the best universities in Brazil are public institutions. For instance, the University of São Paulo (USP) is considered the best university in Ibero-America and has been ranked among the top universities in the world by various ranking systems.

Overall, Brazil's public universities play a crucial role in the country's science production and have made significant contributions to various fields of research.

Racial quotas help to reduce the racial achievement and wealth gap

Brazil has over 2,368 universities and colleges, with more than 9.9 million undergraduate students enrolled in 2023, up from 4.6 million in 2005. The country has implemented a racial quota system in higher education to address long-standing inequalities in access to education. The system reserves a certain number of places for black, multiracial, and indigenous applicants.

Racial quotas have been a topic of debate in Brazil, with some arguing that they help reduce racial achievement and wealth gaps, while others believe they favour one group over another. Proponents of the Brazilian system argue that it helps to reduce racial inequality in access to education and, subsequently, wealth. Opponents argue that qualifications should be the only factor in admissions.

The impact of racial and low-income quotas on academic performance in Brazil was studied in 2018, and the results indicated no significant difference in performance between students admitted under the quota and regular admission processes. However, a positive impact was observed for students from the North region and those with very low family incomes. The study also found that students admitted under the low-income quota performed worse than non-quota students, with scores around 14% lower.

Brazil's racial quota system has been in place since 2002, and it has had a significant impact on the demographics of university students. By 2018, more than half of university students were non-white, a dramatic shift from the mid-1990s when only a tiny fraction of students were black. This change demonstrates the effectiveness of the quota system in increasing opportunities for racial minorities in higher education.

The Brazilian system operates by first allowing students to self-identify as victims of racial discrimination. Then, an external classification is carried out to validate this self-declaration. While this two-step process has sparked some controversy, it aims to ensure that affirmative action measures benefit those who need them the most.

Brazil's higher education institutions have international recognition

Brazil has a mixed system of public and privately funded universities. There are more than 2,368 Brazilian universities and colleges recognised by the Ministry of Education (MEC).

Brazilian higher education institutions have international recognition. According to the QS World University Ranking 2025, Brazil is the Latin American country with the largest number of world-renowned universities. In the list of the best universities in Latin America, Brazil has three in the top 10: the University of São Paulo (USP), the State University of Campinas (Unicamp) and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).

In the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) British magazine ranking, USP was ranked as the best Latin American university. In total, 67 Brazilian universities were included in the ranking of 1671 universities from across the world.

According to the Ranking Xangai 2024 (Academic Ranking of World Universities – ARWU), USP was ranked as the best university in Brazil, in the group of 101-150. The Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) is tied in second place with Paulista State University (UNESP) and the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), which are included in the group of 401 – 500.

Seven of Brazil’s higher education institutions are among the top 10 Latin American universities in the 2021 Times Higher Education (THE) rankings. These include the Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais and PUC-Rio, which are examples of a state, a federal and a private university, respectively.

The University of São Paulo is the oldest university in Brazil and is “responsible for around 20% of all Brazilian academic output”.

Frequently asked questions