Preprint / Version 1

Efficiency assessment of brazilian universities: a data envelopment analysis model

##article.authors##

  • Waldecy Rodrigues Federal University of Tocantins image/svg+xml https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5584-6586
    • Conceptualization
    • Data Curation
    • Formal Analysis
    • Investigation
    • Methodology
    • Project Administration
    • Resources
    • Supervision
    • Validation
    • Writing – Review & Editing
  • Daniela Mascarenhas de Queiroz Trevisan Federal University of Tocantins image/svg+xml https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3677-0851
    • Conceptualization
    • Data Curation
    • Formal Analysis
    • Investigation
    • Methodology
    • Project Administration
    • Resources
    • Validation
    • Writing – Original Draft Preparation
    • Writing – Review & Editing
  • David Nadler Prata Federal University of Tocantins image/svg+xml https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1414-4000
    • Conceptualization
    • Data Curation
    • Formal Analysis
    • Investigation
    • Methodology
    • Resources
    • Validation
    • Writing – Review & Editing
  • Denise P. Pereira Federal University of Tocantins image/svg+xml https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3336-9002
    • Conceptualization
    • Investigation
    • Methodology
    • Validation
    • Writing – Original Draft Preparation
    • Writing – Review & Editing
  • Willians dos Santos Silva Federal University of Tocantins image/svg+xml https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3136-8698
    • Conceptualization
    • Investigation
    • Methodology
    • Project Administration
    • Resources
    • Software
    • Validation
    • Writing – Review & Editing
    • Writing – Original Draft Preparation
    • Visualization

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-57652026v31id290943

Keywords:

data envelopment analysis, efficiency, federal universities

Abstract

This article assesses the efficiency of 53 Brazilian federal universities, aiming to establish targets that enable these institutions to achieve greater efficiency. The study employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with constant returns to scale, using management indicators defined by the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) for the year 2017 as inputs and outputs. The findings reveal that 35.48% of large  universities and 31.82% of medium-sized universities met the efficiency criteria. The results propose specific targets for each inefficient institution to improve its performance, with the goal of increasing graduation success rates and the overall evaluation by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). It is concluded that the majority of universities deemed efficient are located in the Southern and Southeastern regions of Brazil.

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Author Biographies

Waldecy Rodrigues, Federal University of Tocantins

Professor e pesquisador da Universidade Federal do Tocantins. Possui graduação e mestrado em Economia, doutorado em Sociologia e pós-doutorado em Economia. Atualmente, é professor nos programas de Desenvolvimento Regional e Modelagem Computacional, com experiência em Desenvolvimento Regional, Economia Ecológica e Avaliação de Políticas Públicas.

Daniela Mascarenhas de Queiroz Trevisan, Federal University of Tocantins

Mestre e Doutora em Modelagem Computacional de Sistemas, é pesquisadora do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Governança e Transformação Digital

David Nadler Prata, Federal University of Tocantins

Professor na Universidade Federal do Tocantins, com mestrado, doutorado e pós-doutorado em Ciência da Computação. Foi responsável pela implementação do curso de Modelagem Computacional na UFT e possui experiência em Análise de Dados, Machine Learning, Inteligência Artificial e Tecnologias Educacionais.

Denise P. Pereira, Federal University of Tocantins

Mestra em Desenvolvimento Regional pela Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT), especialista em Gestão Pública pela Faculdade ITOP - TO e graduada em Administração pela Fundação Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT).

Willians dos Santos Silva, Federal University of Tocantins

Doutor em Economia pela Universidade do Minho (Portugal), mestre em Desenvolvimento Regional pela Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT, 2012) e graduado em Ciências Econômicas pela mesma instituição (UFT, 2008). Atualmente, é professor assistente no Departamento de Ciências Econômicas da Universidade Federal do Tocantins.

Submitted

07/26/2026

Posted

07/27/2026

How to Cite

Efficiency assessment of brazilian universities: a data envelopment analysis model. (2026). In SciELO Preprints. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-57652026v31id290943

Section

Human Sciences

Plaudit

Data statement

  • The research data is contained in the manuscript