Governança e desempenho das universidades católicas à luz do Ranking Universitário Folha (RUF)

This study analyzes, longitudinally, the emergence and establishment of catholic universities in Brazil and discusses their performance in terms of quality from the results in the University Ranking Folha (RUF). We made documentary research, historical-bibliographic survey, and analysis of RUF performance indicators with quali-quantitative criteria. We used sources of statistical information, as well as a study on the form of constitution of its governance structure. The research reveals the importance of the role played by catholic universities in the scenario of Higher Education, practically throughout the national territory, evidenced by the historical analysis, within its limitations and confessional characteristics. The study shows that, in terms of quality, good performance is not homogeneous, since 23.5% of catholic universities have poor performance, occupying the last positions in the ranking studied; on the other hand, there is an elite of excellence of seven universities that integrate the 70 best universities in the country.