Unesc leads the Research indicator among non-state community universities in Santa Catarina and ranks 10th nationally in this group, two positions higher than the 2025 result, according to the 2026 Folha University Ranking (RUF). The University also advanced 16 positions in Teaching among Brazilian non-state community universities, moving from 37th to 21st place. Overall, Unesc is ranked 86th among the 205 evaluated Brazilian institutions.

In the Labor Market indicator, the University moved from 24th to 19th place nationally among non-state community universities. In Internationalization, it advanced from 19th to 18th position. In Santa Catarina, it holds second place in Teaching and in the overall result among non-state community universities. According to Unesc's acting rector, Gisele Silveira Coelho Lopes, the results demonstrate the consistency of the academic and scientific work developed by the Institution.

“The advances in RUF 2026 show Unesc's ability to evolve in different dimensions of higher education. The leadership in Research among community universities in Santa Catarina and the significant growth in Teaching reflect the commitment to knowledge production and the training of professionals prepared for the challenges of society. This recognition values the work of professors, researchers, students, and administrative staff,” she emphasizes.

Teaching records the greatest advancement

In the Teaching indicator, Unesc moved from 37th to 21st place nationally among non-state community universities compared to 2025. In Santa Catarina, it advanced from fifth to second place in this group. This dimension considers the qualification and dedication of the faculty, the performance of students in official assessments, and the perception of higher education professors regarding the quality of the institutions.

The Secretary of State for Education of Santa Catarina and licensed rector of Unesc, Luciane Bisognin Ceretta, highlights the University's contribution to professional training and regional development.

“A community university has the responsibility to produce knowledge connected to the needs of the population and the transformations of society. Unesc's performance in RUF demonstrates recognition of academic excellence and the education provided. The advances reflect a trajectory built with responsibility and commitment to people and the development of Santa Catarina,” she states.

Research and labor market advance

In Research, Unesc ranks 10th nationally among non-state community universities and leads the indicator in Santa Catarina within this same group. The evaluation considers scientific production, the impact of publications, researcher productivity, and the recognition of the knowledge produced.

In the Labor Market, the University achieved 19th place nationally among non-state community universities, five positions higher than the 2025 result. In Santa Catarina, it holds third place in this group. The classification considers the perception of employers and professionals responsible for hiring processes regarding the preparation of graduates.

International connection and innovation

In Internationalization, Unesc advanced one position among Brazilian non-state community universities, reaching 18th place. The evaluation considers international scientific collaboration, the participation of foreign faculty, and the circulation of academic production in other countries.

In Innovation, the University ranks 18th nationally and third at the state level among non-state community universities. The indicator evaluates technological production, patent registrations, and research developed in collaboration with companies.

Performance in Santa Catarina

In the overall result, which encompasses the five dimensions evaluated by RUF, Unesc is ranked 16th among Brazilian community universities and 15th among non-state community universities in the country. In Santa Catarina, it achieved fifth place among all universities, third among community universities, and second among non-state community universities.

About RUF

Developed by the newspaper Folha de S.Paulo, the Folha University Ranking evaluates the performance of Brazilian universities in five dimensions: Teaching, Research, Labor Market, Innovation, and Internationalization. The methodology gathers official data from higher education, indicators of scientific production, innovation records, and opinion surveys. In the 2026 edition, the ranking evaluated 205 Brazilian universities and incorporated methodological changes, including a new Research metric based on citations of scientific studies in public policy documents.