[5] In the area of Computer Science, PUC-Rio reached first place overall in the country, also obtaining the Brazilian leadership in the Partnership with Industry indicator.

[6] PUC-Rio has highly accredited faculties in law, engineering, computer science, psychology, economics, business, and international relations.

Several city bus lines pass the university, which is near the suburban neighborhoods of Leblon, Ipanema, Jardim Botânico, and Lagoa.

In the early '60s the USA through its American Schools and Hospitals Abroad program donated the building now named after President John Kennedy; the grant was received during his administration.

Solar Grandjean de Montigny (built in 1823 by the architect of the same name), PUC-Rio's Cultural Center, has year-round visual arts exhibitions.

Pilotis (Kennedy building's ground floor) hosts cultural events such as political debates, shows, and fairs.

There is also the "Vila dos Diretórios" (Academic Directories Village), a small cobblestone alley that used to house employees from a local factory, but which since the opening of the campus, has become a place of social interaction.

A metro station was being built on the site of the former university parking lot as part of the construction work for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Lua programming language was developed by Roberto Ierusalimschy, Luiz Henrique de Figueiredo, and Waldemar Celes, members of the Computer Graphics Technology Group[14] at PUC-Rio, beginning in 1993.

Over the course of its development, the Institute has consolidated its work by expanding its operations to all areas of Petrobras, including seismic, reservoir, automation, environment and logistics.