Fundação Getúlio Vargas
Fundacao Getulio Vargas (FGV) stands as one of Brazil's most distinguished academic institutions, with a legacy spanning nearly eight decades of excellence in business education, economics research, and public policy development. Established in 1944, FGV has grown from a single school focused on public administration into a comprehensive research university with campuses across Brazil and international recognition for its academic programs and intellectual contributions. The institution's founding mission to prepare qualified professionals for Brazil's public and private sectors remains central to its identity. FGV has trained generations of leaders who have shaped the country's economic development, including ministers, central bank presidents, CEOs, and influential scholars. This track record of producing impactful graduates reflects the institution's commitment to academic rigor combined with practical relevance. FGV maintains strong connections to both the business community and government, positioning the institution to address Brazil's most pressing challenges. Research centers investigate topics ranging from economic policy and social development to environmental sustainability and digital transformation. The institution's influence extends beyond Brazil through international partnerships, joint programs, and contributions to global academic discourse.
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
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- Tuition (In-State)
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- Tuition (Int'l)
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Student Life & Environment
Campus life at FGV differs significantly from the residential university experience common in North America, reflecting both Brazilian educational traditions and the institution's urban locations in major metropolitan centers. Students typically do not live in university housing, instead commuting from family homes or private apartments in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, or Brasília, which means campus social life concentrates during class hours and organized events rather than building through residential proximity. The Rio de Janeiro campus occupies a historic building in the Botafogo neighborhood, within sight of Sugarloaf Mountain and walking distance from the city's famous beaches, giving students one of the world's most scenic university settings. The São Paulo campus sits in the bustling Bela Vista neighborhood, surrounded by the restaurants, cultural venues, and commercial activity of Brazil's largest city. Student organizations provide social and professional networking opportunities, with groups organized around academic interests, career goals, and recreational activities. The athletic culture focuses more on casual participation than varsity competition, with students accessing city facilities for sports and fitness. Academic junior enterprises, student-run consulting firms that take on real projects for real clients, represent a distinctive feature of Brazilian higher education and operate actively at FGV, giving students hands-on business experience before graduation. Cultural events, guest lectures by prominent figures, and networking opportunities with alumni working at top firms provide professional development alongside academic study.
Location & Surroundings
FGV's campuses in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo place students in the heart of Brazil's two most important cities, creating unparalleled access to the institutions and networks that drive Latin America's largest economy. Rio de Janeiro, despite having ceded some economic prominence to São Paulo, remains Brazil's cultural capital and second-largest city, home to major media companies, the national oil company Petrobras, and numerous financial institutions. The city's natural setting between mountains and ocean creates a quality of life that has attracted international investment and a cosmopolitan population. São Paulo, by contrast, functions as Brazil's economic engine, with the largest financial sector in the Southern Hemisphere, headquarters of major Brazilian and international corporations, and a professional services industry that employs legions of lawyers, consultants, and accountants. Students at either campus can attend industry conferences, network at professional events, and interview for internships and jobs without significant travel. The FGV Brasília campus offers proximity to federal government, making it ideal for students interested in public policy, regulatory affairs, or government careers. Brazil's geographic position makes it a gateway to Spanish-speaking Latin America, and São Paulo's international airport serves as the main hub connecting the region to Europe, North America, and Asia. The cost of living in Brazilian cities has fluctuated with currency movements but generally remains accessible by international standards, though Rio and São Paulo are notably more expensive than other Brazilian cities.
Costs & Career Outcomes
FGV creates opportunities that distinguish it even among elite global institutions, starting with its unique position at the intersection of academic research and practical policy influence in Brazil and beyond. The institution's research centers produce economic indicators and analysis that move markets and shape government decisions, and students often have opportunities to contribute to this work under faculty supervision. Relationships with international institutions including the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and leading universities in North America and Europe create exchange opportunities and pathways to international careers. The alumni network functions as one of the most powerful professional networks in Brazil, with FGV graduates occupying leadership positions across sectors and actively engaging with current students through mentorship, recruiting, and professional events. Junior enterprises allow students to run actual consulting businesses while still in school, developing entrepreneurial skills and building portfolios of real project work. Double degree programs with partner institutions in Europe and the United States enable students to earn credentials from FGV and foreign universities simultaneously, creating powerful combinations for international careers. The location in Brazil gives students exposure to emerging market conditions, practical experience navigating the complexities of doing business in a developing economy, and perspective on global issues including environmental sustainability, inequality, and democratic governance that increasingly matter to employers worldwide. Proficiency in Portuguese, which students either bring or develop, opens doors throughout the Lusophone world including Portugal, Mozambique, Angola, and growing communities in the United States and Europe.
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