QS World Ranking
#96
Acceptance Rate
10%
Annual Tuition (USD)
Free
On-Campus Housing
Find Own
QS Best Student City
#30
São Paulo
Application Deadline
November 30
via Direct
Student Body
Total Enrollment
90,000
students
International Students
3%
US % data not publicly reported
Figures are approximate based on institutional reports and QS data.
Why This School
Latin America's top-ranked university with free tuition, producing more research than any other LatAm institution.
QS Subject Rankings 2025
Rankings by academic subject — source: QS World University Rankings by Subject
Notes for US Students
Free tuition for all students but instruction is in Portuguese. Brazil's and Latin America's top university.
Admission Criteria
Key requirements for US students applying to University of São Paulo (USP)
Acceptance Rate
10%
Highly selective
Application System
Direct
Deadline
November 30
Instruction Language
Portuguese
School Type
Public
Annual Tuition
Free
Requirements Checklist for US Applicants
- Apply via FUVEST exam (Brazilians) or FUVEST international track
- Portuguese language proficiency required
- FUVEST or ENEM score required
- High school diploma with official apostille and certified translation
- No tuition fees — completely free for all students
Class Size
Academic Calendar
Southern hemisphere: academic year starts in February.
Requirements may vary by program. Always verify with the university's official admissions page.
Admission Details
- Language of Instruction
- Portuguese
- Estimated Annual Tuition
- Free (no tuition fees)
- Application Deadline
- November 30
- Application System
- Direct
- School Type
- Public
- Acceptance Rate
- 10%
- QS Best Student City (São Paulo)
- #30 globally
Programs Offered
Scholarships to Explore
- ✓CNPq Scholarship
- ✓FAPESP Research Grant
Cost of Living — São Paulo, Brazil
Low CostEstimated monthly total
$930
vs. avg US college student
51% cheaper
US avg ~$1,900/mo
São Paulo is enormous and affordable. Free tuition + very low living costs. Budget for a safe neighborhood near campus. Vibrant culture, food, and nightlife.
Estimates based on 2025–26 student budgets. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and housing choice.
About Studying at University of São Paulo (USP) as a US Student
University of São Paulo (USP) is located in São Paulo, Brazil and is ranked #96in the QS World University Rankings. The school offers programs in Medicine, Law, Engineering, Sciences, Arts & Humanities, and more. Instruction is offered in Portuguese. The estimated annual tuition for international students is Free (no tuition fees), with an acceptance rate of approximately 10%. Applications are submitted through Direct with a deadline of November 30. Scholarships available include the CNPq Scholarship.