What are the most popular Universities and Colleges in Peru? uniRank answers this question by publishing the 2025 Peruvian University Ranking of 123 Peruvian higher-education institutions meeting the following uniRank selection criteria:
Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 123 Universities in Peru
The Republic of Peru is divided into 25 regions (Spanish: regiones), further subdivided into provinces (Spanish: provincias), along with the Lima Province. The majority of higher education institutions meeting the uniRank selection criteria are located in Lima Province, which hosts the national capital, Lima. The following uniRank league tables and sub-rankings consider all regions that include at least one Peruvian higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.
Amazonas (3)
Ancash (4)
Apurimac (2)
Arequipa (5)
Ayacucho (3)
Cajamarca (4)
Callao (1)
Cusco (5)
Huancavelica (2)
Huanuco (3)
Ica (2)
Junin (7)
La Libertad (7)
Lambayeque (5)
Lima (48)
Loreto (3)
Madre de Dios (1)
Moquegua (2)
Pasco (1)
Piura (3)
Puno (4)
San Martin (1)
Tacna (3)
Tumbes (1)
Ucayali (3)
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Peru's higher education system comprises 123 universities, blending historic institutions with modern academic centers. The landscape features 51 public universities (state-funded) and 72 private universities (self-funded), offering diverse programs across undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. Institutions range from comprehensive universities with broad disciplines to specialized schools focusing on fields like engineering or business. Key hubs include Lima, Trujillo and Huánuco, with degrees regulated by SUNEDU (National Superintendence of Higher Education) to ensure quality standards. Keywords: Peru universities, higher education Peru, public vs private universities Peru, SUNEDU accreditation, undergraduate programs Peru.
Peru's 123 universities show a distinct distribution between public and private institutions. Public universities constitute 41% (51 institutions), funded by the state and typically offering lower tuition. Private universities dominate at 59% (72 institutions), operating under self-funded models with varying tuition structures. Geographically, Lima hosts the highest concentration of universities, including 8 of the top 10 institutions, reflecting centralized educational resources.
While no Peruvian universities rank in the global top 200, four institutions achieve positions within the top 1,000 worldwide – representing 3.3% of the country's total universities. This group includes Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (#393), Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (#605), Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (#940) and Universidad Tecnológica del Perú (#966). These top-ranked Peru universities demonstrate competitive academic programs on the international stage.
Q: How many universities are in Peru?
A: Peru has 123 recognized universities – 51 public and 72 private institutions.
Q: What is the #1 university in Peru?
A: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) ranks as Peru's top university according to uniRank.
Q: What is the oldest university in Peru?
A: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, founded in 1551, is both Peru's and the Americas' oldest university.
Q: Are Peruvian degrees internationally recognized?
A: Degrees from SUNEDU-accredited Peruvian universities hold international recognition, particularly within Latin America.
Q: What percentage of Peruvian universities are private?
A: 59% of Peru's universities (72 institutions) are privately operated.
Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Peruvian universities and their online presence.