El Ciudadano
Original article: Universidades públicas mandan en la ciencia colombiana: ranking confirma su ventaja sobre las privadas
The latest U-Sapiens Ranking 2025-2, prepared by Sapiens Research and validated by the International Observatory IREG, has confirmed the advantage of public universities in Colombia over private ones in terms of scientific production.
The study, which analyzed 367 institutions, revealed that only 71 met the minimum criteria for classification, showcasing a clear dominance of state universities.
To determine the ranking for universities that significantly promote research, several variables are considered: indexed publications, the number of scientific journals published, research groups recognized by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MinCiencias), and the number of graduate and active master’s and doctoral programs registered in the National Information System for Higher Education (SNIES).
The Podium of Colombian Science
The recent assessment maintains a familiar order at the top:
-National University of Colombia – 150 points.
-University of Antioquia – 126 points.
-University of the Andes – 81 points (first private university on the list).
-University of Valle – 79 points.
-Pontifical Javeriana University (private) – 71 points.
The National University holds its first place according to the report, owing to its academic output, strong research credentials, and extensive graduate offerings.
This institution is distinguished by publishing indexed scientific journals like Análisis Político and developing master’s programs, such as in Economics, as well as doctoral programs and research groups categorized by MinCiencias.
The University of Antioquia, occupying the second position, reaffirms itself as a scientific reference at both national and regional levels. Now celebrating 222 years of establishment, it maintains a robust research pace and offers over 200 graduate programs.
Petro: «Colombia’s Public Higher Education Quality Surpasses Private Institutions»
In response to the results of the U-Sapiens Ranking 2025-2, Colombian President Gustavo Petro highlighted the superiority of public education over private universities.
“According to this ranking, the University of Antioquia is the second-best university in Colombia in terms of quality. Overall, Colombia has a higher quality of public higher education than private,” he stated in a message shared on his social media account X.
However, the president warned about the challenging situation facing this institution, which has recorded a budget deficit due to neglect from regional governments, urging the need to address this issue from the Executive branch.
“A rescue plan for the university and its extension to the popular neighborhoods of Medellín and the Antioquian province is essential, supported by the national government, in light of the neglect by regional authorities,” he emphasized.
The Colombian leader announced that he would convene a special meeting in his office to urgently review the matter, underscoring the contradiction between the excellence in research and financial precariousness.
It is noteworthy that the University of Antioquia has reiterated its call to the District of Medellín for foundational budget resources “as a recognition of the contribution we have made to the city for decades.”
A Consolidated Gap
The ranking data reveal a structural, not a temporary, difference. The average score for ranked public universities is 32.6 points, while private institutions only average 19.1 points. This gap of over 13 points reflects the strength of the public sector in key areas such as basic sciences, health, engineering, and social sciences.
According to Radio Nacional de Colombia, the overall system showed stability, with the same 71 institutions classified for the second consecutive period and a modest increase in the overall score, which rose from 1,679 to 1,709 points.
The Crucial Role of Regional Public Universities
Beyond the top positions, the ranking highlights the decisive role of state institutions that sustain scientific research and high-level training outside the major urban centers. Notable mentions include the University Pedagogical and Technological of Colombia (UPTC), the University of Caldas, the District University, the University of Cartagena, the University of Atlántico, the University of Magdalena, the University of Pamplona, and the University of Nariño.
These institutions, according to the analysis, “continue to consolidate their scientific contributions and demonstrate that the public sector remains a vital player in bridging territorial gaps and strengthening the academic development of the country.”
La entrada Public Universities Dominate Colombian Science: Ranking Confirms Their Superiority Over Private Institutions se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.
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