Universidade Federal do Ceará
A well-established university providing quality higher education. Offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs with dedicated faculty and supportive learning environment.
- Acceptance Rate
- 74.0%
- SAT Range
- 950–1150
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.1
- Size
- Large (28,451 students)
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- 1:23
- Setting
- suburban
- Graduation Rate
- 71.0%
- Retention Rate
- 71.0%
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- $8,000
Academic Programs
STEM
Business
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health
Arts
English Proficiency Requirements
Student Life & Environment
Campus life at UFC blends the energy of a large Brazilian university with the regional culture of Ceara state. The main Pici campus buzzes with activity during class hours, as students move between modern classroom buildings, older facilities showing decades of use, and outdoor spaces where groups gather to study, socialize, and organize. Student movements have a strong tradition at Brazilian federal universities, and UFC is no exception, with active political engagement and periodic demonstrations that reflect the broader currents of Brazilian society. Housing presents a challenge for many students, as UFC does not operate large residential halls in the American style. Most students live with family in the Fortaleza metropolitan area or rent apartments near campus with fellow students. The university provides limited student housing for those from outside the city with demonstrated financial need, but demand far exceeds supply. Student cafeterias on each campus offer subsidized meals, making daily sustenance affordable for students from all economic backgrounds. Cultural activities flourish on campus, with music and dance groups performing forro, the characteristic rhythm of northeastern Brazil, alongside contemporary popular music. Theater groups stage productions throughout the year, while visual arts students exhibit their work in campus galleries. Athletic facilities include swimming pools, soccer fields, and courts for basketball and volleyball, with intramural competition among academic departments fostering school spirit. The university radio station and student publications provide outlets for journalism and creative expression.
Location & Surroundings
Fortaleza, the capital of Ceara state with over 2.6 million residents in its metropolitan area, wraps around beautiful Atlantic beaches while serving as the commercial and cultural hub of northeastern Brazil. The city enjoys tropical temperatures year-round, with average highs around 30 degrees Celsius and cooling ocean breezes that moderate the heat. The dry season from July through December brings reliably sunny weather, while the rainy season from January through June provides necessary precipitation for the region's agriculture. The university's Pici campus sits in a suburban area southwest of the city center, accessible by bus routes that connect to all parts of Fortaleza. The Benfica campus occupies a more central location, while the medical facilities at Porangabucu integrate with the major hospitals of the health district. Traffic congestion in Fortaleza has increased substantially as the city has grown, making commute times unpredictable for students traveling during peak hours. Beyond academics, Fortaleza offers beaches famous for kitesurfing and windsurfing, a lively nightlife scene concentrated in neighborhoods like Praia de Iracema, and a food culture centered on seafood, especially lobster and crab. The Dragao do Mar cultural center houses museums, theaters, and exhibition spaces that bring international and Brazilian arts to the city. Cost of living runs lower than in Brazil's southern cities, though quality housing in safe neighborhoods commands significant rents. Weekend trips to beach towns along the coast or to the dramatic cliffs and dunes of Jericoacoara provide escape from urban routines.
Costs & Career Outcomes
As a federal university, UFC charges no tuition to undergraduate or graduate students, eliminating what would otherwise be a major expense. Students must still cover living costs, textbooks, and supplies, but the absence of tuition makes higher education accessible to families across the economic spectrum. Scholarship programs including PIBIC for undergraduate research and CAPES fellowships for graduate students provide monthly stipends that help cover living expenses for academically strong students engaged in research. Career prospects for UFC graduates vary considerably by field. Medical school graduates enter a competitive but ultimately well-paying profession, with residency placements at hospitals throughout Brazil. Engineering graduates find opportunities in construction, manufacturing, and the growing renewable energy sector, as Ceara has become a leader in wind power generation. Law and business graduates often remain in the Northeast, filling professional positions that were once dominated by graduates from universities in the South. The university's career services and alumni network help graduates navigate the job market, while internship programs during undergraduate study provide practical experience and professional connections. For fields with weaker local job markets, graduates often migrate to Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, or Brasilia, taking their UFC credentials to compete nationally. Graduate programs, particularly at the doctoral level, prepare students for academic careers at universities throughout Brazil, continuing the cycle of knowledge production that UFC represents.
Campus Location
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