The 20 Best Universities in Peru to Study Law in 2026

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú leads the ranking compiled by Impact Lawyers, followed by Universidad de Lima and Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos.

How the ranking was compiled

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú tops the first edition of the Impact Lawyers ranking of the best Peruvian universities for studying Law. Universidad de Lima and Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos take second and third place, while Universidad del Pacífico, UPC and Universidad de Piura complete the top six.

The ranking combines the available results from the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Law and Legal Studies, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Law and the SCImago Institutions Rankings 2026 for Law in Peru.

QS assesses academic and employer reputation, citations and research impact. Times Higher Education compares teaching, research environment, research quality, industry links and international outlook. SCImago contributes indicators covering research, innovation and societal impact and lists seven Peruvian institutions in Law in 2026.

This international coverage is limited for a country with dozens of law schools. The quantitative comparison was therefore supplemented by a qualitative review of academic history, curricula, research, clinics and legal-aid services, professional preparation, employability, geographical reach and connections with courts, public authorities, law firms, businesses and civil-society organisations.

A methodology combining history and recent results

The seven universities included by SCImago do not by themselves represent the full extent of Peru’s legal influence. Faculties such as Universidad de Lima, Universidad del Pacífico, Universidad de Piura, ESAN and San Martín de Porres have professional networks and reputations that are not fully reflected by their volume of indexed publications.

The qualitative assessment was organised around five dimensions:

• National and international academic reputation.
• Quality and influence of legal research.
• Breadth, coherence and rigour of the programme.
• Employability, practical education, clinics and professional connections.
• Internationalisation, public impact and regional contribution.

No regional quotas were imposed. The concentration of ten universities in Lima reflects the centralisation of the legal market, but the list also includes faculties in Arequipa, Trujillo, Piura, Huancayo and Cusco with substantial regional influence.

PUCP, the country’s clear leader

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú ranks first because of its balance of reputation, research, teaching quality, internationalisation and institutional impact.

Its Faculty of Law is a Latin American reference in constitutional, civil, administrative, criminal, international, labour and business law, arbitration, Human Rights and legal theory.

The university has extensive publishing activity and numerous research centres. Its Lima location provides proximity to the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, ministries, regulators, firms, companies and international organisations.

PUCP leads the SCImago 2026 Peruvian Law ranking by a wide margin. Its selectivity, alumni network and ability to combine doctrine, practice and public debate also support its leadership.

Universidad de Lima, business and professional education

Universidad de Lima ranks second. Its Faculty of Law has a strong reputation in private practice and close connections with the business community.

It is particularly strong in civil, commercial, corporate, tax and labour law, competition, intellectual property, arbitration and regulation. Its infrastructure and links with companies and major law firms strengthen employability.

Second place reflects the coherence of its programme and professional network. Its international research output is below PUCP’s, but its influence in Lima’s legal market is exceptional.

San Marcos, history and public excellence

Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos ranks third. Its Faculty of Law and Political Science forms part of the oldest university in the Americas and has deeply influenced the judiciary, public administration, politics and academia.

Its education is particularly strong in constitutional, civil, criminal, administrative, labour and international law and legal philosophy. Its public character promotes pluralism and access for students from diverse backgrounds.

San Marcos ranks second in Peru in the SCImago 2026 Law table. The resource constraints of a large state university do not erase its enormous historical and social prestige.

Universidad del Pacífico, Law, economics and regulation

Universidad del Pacífico ranks fourth. Its defining feature is the integration of Law with economics, finance, business, public policy and management.

The programme is particularly attractive for corporate, financial and tax law, competition, regulation, contracting and the economic analysis of law.

Its smaller size and powerful business network support close attention and excellent professional placement. It is one of the country’s best options for students targeting firms, companies, regulators or consultancy.

UPC, innovation and market connections

Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas ranks fifth. Its Faculty of Law offers a modern, flexible education connected with professional practice.

The university emphasises business and digital law, intellectual property, competition, arbitration, compliance and entrepreneurship. Its company and alumni networks strengthen employment opportunities.

The experience may vary by campus and study format, so applicants should compare lecturers, electives, clinics and specific services. Its place recognises strong employability rather than a historical tradition equivalent to San Marcos or PUCP.

Universidad de Piura, doctrinal rigour in two markets

Universidad de Piura ranks sixth. Its Faculty of Law is known for doctrinal rigour, close academic support and ethical education.

The programme is strong in civil, constitutional, administrative, business and tax law. Its presence in both Piura and Lima combines regional influence with access to the country’s principal legal market.

Its Catholic identity forms part of its educational project. Its professional network and individual attention are major strengths.

Universidad ESAN, business, management and regulation

Universidad ESAN ranks seventh. Its Faculty of Law and Social Sciences benefits from the institution’s history in business, economics and management.

Its education is particularly oriented towards corporate law, contracts, taxation, regulation, competition, compliance and dispute resolution.

ESAN appeals to students seeking legal education connected with business management and markets. Its undergraduate legal tradition is more recent, but its professional network partly compensates for this.

Universidad de San Martín de Porres

Universidad de San Martín de Porres ranks eighth. Its Faculty of Law has a long history and a broad alumni network across the public and private sectors.

It provides a general education in civil, criminal, constitutional, administrative, commercial, labour, procedural and international law. Its size extends its professional reach, although students should examine the specific experience, academic support and qualification outcomes.

The faculty is an established option in Lima and maintains significant postgraduate activity.

Universidad Científica del Sur

Universidad Científica del Sur ranks ninth. Its inclusion reflects recent research growth and its place among the first group of Peruvian institutions listed by SCImago 2026 for Law.

Its programme can benefit from the university’s identity in science, health, the environment and sustainability. These connections are relevant to environmental, health, regulatory and business law.

Its legal tradition remains newer than those of the leading faculties. Its position recognises potential, scientific output and a contemporary model.

Universidad Católica San Pablo, private leadership in Arequipa

Universidad Católica San Pablo ranks tenth. Its Professional School of Law has become one of southern Peru’s leading private alternatives.

The university combines doctrinal education, Catholic identity, research and close academic support. It is strong in private, constitutional, business and natural law and legal philosophy.

Its Arequipa network and connections with regional companies and institutions make it especially attractive to students intending to build careers in the south.

Universidad Nacional de Trujillo

Universidad Nacional de Trujillo ranks 11th. Its Faculty of Law and Political Sciences is one of northern Peru’s principal public institutions.

Its long tradition and alumni network provide influence in courts, public authorities, prosecutors’ offices and private practice. Its curriculum covers the main branches of Peruvian law.

Its public mission and historical importance compensate for limited visibility in the international rankings used.

UPAO and northern Peru’s legal market

Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego ranks 12th. It is one of Trujillo’s leading private universities and has an extensive professional community.

Its programme combines private, public, criminal, labour, business and procedural law with practical education. Connections with northern companies and institutions support regional employability.

For students intending to practise in La Libertad, its network may matter more than a small ranking difference from a Lima institution.

Universidad Nacional de San Agustín

Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa ranks 13th. Its Faculty of Law is an essential public reference point in southern Peru.

The university has a strong presence in the judiciary, public administration and regional professions. Its public character promotes pluralism, access and research into territorial issues.

The experience may be affected by the resources and procedures of a large state institution, but its historical influence remains notable.

Universidad Católica de Santa María

Universidad Católica de Santa María ranks 14th. Its Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences is an established private alternative in Arequipa.

Its education covers civil, criminal, constitutional, administrative, commercial, labour and procedural law. Its alumni have a significant presence in the southern professional market.

Comparison with Católica San Pablo and UNSA should consider cost, methodology, the specific network and the student’s institutional preferences.

Universidad César Vallejo

Universidad César Vallejo ranks 15th. Its extensive geographical presence broadens access to Law, while SCImago places it third in Peru for legal activity in 2026.

The difference between that scientific result and its final place reflects the weight given to historical reputation, selectivity, consistency between campuses and professional networks.

Applicants should verify the programme, authorisation, lecturers, placements and outcomes at each campus. Its scale is a strength but also requires caution when comparing experiences.

Universidad Continental

Universidad Continental ranks 16th. Its origins in Huancayo and expansion into other cities give it a significant territorial dimension.

Its legal education is connected with employability, technology, business and regional issues. Its SCImago 2026 presence reflects growing research output.

It may be especially suitable for students in central Peru seeking a local network and flexible formats. The specific campus and format should be examined carefully.

Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola

Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola ranks 17th. Its Law programme benefits from an identity linked to business, entrepreneurship and internationalisation.

Corporate, commercial, tourism and foreign-trade law and dispute resolution fit its institutional profile particularly well.

SCImago includes it among Peruvian universities active in legal research. Its more limited legal tradition is balanced by business networks and a global outlook.

Universidad Tecnológica del Perú

Universidad Tecnológica del Perú ranks 18th. Its principal strength is the accessibility of a broad network and employment-oriented education.

The programme covers the foundational branches of Law and may suit students needing flexibility in schedules or location. The institution also appears in SCImago 2026 for Law.

Its scale makes it essential to assess the campus, format, resources, lecturers, placements and graduation rates before choosing.

Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco

Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco ranks 19th. Its Faculty of Law and Political Sciences provides a historic public option for Cusco and the southern Andes.

Its education connects with public law, territory, Indigenous communities, heritage, tourism, the environment and regional administration.

Its local influence greatly exceeds its international visibility. Its institutional and social network is a major advantage for a career in Cusco.

Universidad Andina del Cusco

Universidad Andina del Cusco completes the ranking in 20th place. Its programme is a relevant private alternative for Cusco and surrounding cities.

The university educates professionals connected with tourism, business, public administration, communities and regional legal needs. Its alumni network supports local entry into the profession.

Its place belongs to a closely matched final group. Accreditation, cost, placements, campus quality and qualification outcomes may matter more than a marginal difference in ranking.

From the Bachiller degree to the professional title of lawyer

Peru distinguishes between the academic Bachiller degree and the professional title of lawyer. Universities award both under the University Law and their own regulations, but through separate procedures.

Requirements for the professional title may include a thesis, a professional-competency project or another authorised route. SUNEDU explains the distinction between the research project for the Bachiller degree and the thesis or corresponding route for the professional title.

Applicants should therefore examine not only the programme’s formal duration, but also the average time required to obtain both the Bachiller degree and the professional title.

Registration of the title and professional association membership

Degrees and professional titles must be entered in the National Register administered by SUNEDU. The SUNEDU Online platform allows users to verify registration.

To practise and represent clients professionally, graduates must join the relevant bar association and remain in good standing. Procedures and fees depend on the territorial association.

The Lima Bar Association regulates its own admission procedure. Future lawyers should verify the current requirements of the association they intend to join.

Lima and the concentration of the legal market

Lima concentrates the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, ministries, regulators, major law firms, banks, mining companies, insurers and international organisations.

PUCP, Universidad de Lima, San Marcos, Universidad del Pacífico, UPC, ESAN and USMP benefit particularly from this proximity.

The capital offers a broader range of placements and specialisations, but also higher costs, difficult commuting and intense competition. A strong local network may be more valuable for practice in another region.

Mining, the environment and communities

Peru’s economy makes mining, environmental, energy, regulatory and community law particularly important fields.

Lima faculties connect with regulators and corporate headquarters, while universities in Arequipa, Cusco, Piura, Trujillo and Huancayo are closer to territories where disputes over resources, consultation, infrastructure and regional development arise.

Students should assess clinics, specialist courses, territorial research and relationships with authorities, companies and community organisations.

There is no perfect university for everyone

PUCP is the most balanced option for research, prestige and influence. Universidad de Lima and Universidad del Pacífico stand out for their business and major-firm connections. San Marcos offers history, pluralism and public excellence.

UPC and ESAN have modern, market-oriented profiles. Universidad de Piura combines doctrinal rigour with networks in Lima and northern Peru. Católica San Pablo, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, UNSA and San Antonio Abad are especially important outside the capital.

The decision should consider city, cost, scholarships, format, institutional licensing, curriculum, placements, research, time to qualification, professional association membership and professional network.

A broad system strongly concentrated in Lima

The study’s principal conclusion is that Peru has law schools with long traditions but still uneven international visibility.

PUCP is the clear leader. Universidad de Lima, San Marcos, Pacífico, UPC and Piura form a second group with different strengths. Regional universities play an essential role in decentralising legal education and responding to territorial legal problems.

The comparison also reveals the limitations of relying exclusively on indexed publications. Combining QS, Times Higher Education and SCImago with academic history, programmes, employability and routes to professional practice produces a more realistic, critical and useful ranking for choosing where to study Law in Peru in 2026.