The main objective of this research is to measure the longitudinal evaluation of Brazilian stricto sensu graduate programs from 1995 to 2017. A historical review about the development of Brazilian graduate programs is also included in the introduction section. The variables used were (i) distribution of graduate programs; (ii) distribution of professors and students throughout the regions of the country; (iii) provision of grants to programs; (iv) Capes' investments in scholarships in Brazil. The results show an increase of 241% in the number of graduate programs in the period from 1998 to 2017. It was also verified that from 1998 to 2017 Brazil granted 652.191 Master's degrees and 224.560 PhDs. The Southeastern region is the region holding the largest number of graduate programs. However, it was also the region that presented the lowest growth rate between 1998 and 2017. Although the results need to mature, the advances of graduate programs during the period under evaluation represent a great achievement of the nation in terms of science, culture and technology, allowing the pursuit of consolidation and stability.