Best Universities in Mexico

Click here to discover the top 10 Mexican universities in 2019, based on the new QS Mexico University Rankings.

The QS World University Rankings^® 2018 features the world's best universities, 14 of which are in Mexico, with its top two ranked within the global top 200. Want to study in the land of hot food, salsa dancing and sombreros? Read on for a closer look at the best universities in Mexico. 

1. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)

Consistently the highest ranked Mexican university, UNAM is ranked joint 122^nd in 2018, up six places from last year. It was established in 1910 and is today a huge public university with over 346,700 students. UNAM’s main campus, Ciudad Universitaria (University City) was built as a collaborative architectural design project in the 1950s and was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, recognized for its ‘masterpieces of architecture and modern art’.

2. Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM)

Ranked 199^th in the world (up seven places from last year), ITESM is a private university mainly located in Monterrey, but made up of a total of 31 campuses spread across 25 Mexican cities. Founded in 1943, ITESM is known for its strong reputation amongst graduate employers. It’s also known for having one of the strongest business schools in the region (ranked within the global top 50 of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017).

=3. Universidad Anahuac

Universidad Anahuac is a private university ranked 601-650 in the world in 2018 and based in the Interlomas area of Greater Mexico City. Established in 1964, Universidad Anahuac is a member of the Anahuac University Network, a global organization of private Catholic universities.

=3. Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA)

Also ranked 601-650 in the world, UIA (also known as Ibero) is located in Mexico City and is one of the eight Jesuit universities in Mexico. It’s also ranked in the global top 150 for art & design and modern languages, as of the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.

=5. Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN)

Staying in Mexico City for the next of the best universities in Mexico, and IPN is ranked 651-700 in the world and joint fifth in the country. Founded in 1936, today IPN is the largest public university in Mexico, with around 170,000 students enrolled.

=5. Instituto Tecnológico Autonomo de México (ITAM)

Also ranked 651-700 in the world, ITAM is a private research university established in 1946 in Mexico City. It’s considered one of Mexico’s most important think tanks and currently runs a range of international programs with universities such as France’s Sciences Po and the US’ Tulane University. 

7. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM)

UAM is a public university ranked 751-800 in the world in 2018. It was founded in 1974 on the idea of innovation, and now has over 52,800 students. UAM was the first Mexican university to offer an undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering.

The final seven of the best universities in Mexico are all ranked 801-1000 in the world, making them joint eighth in Mexico:

=8. Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP)

The largest and oldest university in Puebla, BUAP is ranked 801-1000 in the world in 2018. It has a long history dating back to the 16^th century before being founded in its current form in 1937. BUAP receives five stars in the QS Stars rating system for its employability, social responsibility and innovation.

=8. Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL)

UANL is one of the largest of these best universities in Mexico, currently hosting about 153,000 students. It has seven campuses across the Northern state of Nuevo León and offers the highest number of academic programs in the region.

=8. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (UAEM)

UAEM is located in the State of Mexico’s capital, Toluca, and has around 84,600 students. It was founded in its current form in 1956 but can trace its origins back to 1828. In the QS Stars rating system, UAEM receives five stars for its inclusiveness.

=8. Universidad de Guadalajara (UDG)

UDG is also placed 801-1000 in the world in 2018 and is located in the city of Guadalajara, one of Mexico’s largest cities. The university, which has around 209,466 students, receives four QS Stars in total, with five stars for its employability, inclusiveness and innovation.

=8. Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP)

UDLAP is a private university based in San Andrés Cholula, near Puebla, and was founded in 1940. It’s a member of the IPBS (International Partnership of Business Schools), a consortium of leading business schools, and achieves five QS Stars overall.

=8. Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM)

Established in 1969, UDEM is a private Roman Catholic university located in Monterrey. It has around 14,000 students and offers many opportunities for its students to study abroad, with a number of bilateral exchange programs, international partnerships and agreements with universities abroad.

=8. Universidad Panamericana (UP)

The final of our look at the best universities in Mexico is UP, a private Catholic university in Mexico City. Originally founded in 1967 as a business school, UP now has four campuses and educates almost 12,000 students in 33 degree programs.

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