The Universidad de Montevideo (UM) ranks first among private universities according to the QS Ranking for Latin America. In 2021, the University was number one in Uruguay for academic reputation, and number of teachers with PhD.

The QS University Ranking Latin America assesses the academic reputation, the employer reputation, the teacher / student ratio, staff with doctorates, research publications, research citations and impact of institutional web.

Since 2016, QS Latin American Ranking has a new indicator: international research networks and, as a consequence, Latin American state universities have improved their overall position ranking.

Rector Juan Manuel Gutiérrez stated:  "The Ranking is like the tip of an iceberg, a small sample of the work and commitment of the UM teachers, researchers and students, who are the “raison d'etre” of the University of Montevideo. Peter F. Drucker said “Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility.”