List of 41 Best Universities in Manila (2025 Fees)

Manila is the Philippines’ capital city which houses the country’s famous university belt where top institutions for higher learning are located. Since then, the Philippines has been an attractive choice for international students because of its hospitable people, linguistic profile, and internationally competitive institutions. In the country’s bustling city sit most of the Philippines’ best universities such as the University of Santo Tomas, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, University of the Philippines-Manila, and the Mapua Institute of Technology.

International students who seek a dynamic lifestyle in a culturally diverse setting need to look at Manila as their study abroad destination option. The streets of Manila are the busiest in the Philippines as it is always a cacophony of sounds from cars, pedicabs (tricycles), and jeepneys. Shopping malls and street vendors also make up most of Manila’s landscape. Moreover, living costs as well as tuition costs in Manila are inexpensive which is why Koreans, Indians, and other nationalities go to the Philippines to study. Students can find an apartment to stay in for $50 per month. Most importantly, the locals speak fluent English which makes it easier for foreign visitors to adapt to Manila’s lifestyle.

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Table of Contents

• Facts about Universities in Manila
• What is education like in Manila?
• Quick Facts about Manila

Facts about Universities in Manila

• Universities in Manila are located in the university belt that stretches across Taft Avenue, España, Sta. Mesa, and Intramuros.
• There are at least 27 colleges, universities, and vocational schools in the university belt.
• Universities in the Philippines are supervised by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
• Colleges in the Philippines usually have one or two program offerings; whereas, universities are required to have at least eight undergraduate degree programs and at least two graduate programs.
• Nine universities in Manila are founded more than 100 years ago. This includes the National University, Manila Law College, University of Manila, San Beda College, Sta. Rita College, La Consolacion College, College of the Holy Spirit, Centro Escolar University, and the University of Santo Tomas.
• Established in 1611, the University of Santo Tomas is Asia’s oldest university. It is also the world’s largest Catholic university in terms of student population.
• Admission policies in universities are much easier as it is the city’s goal to promote Philippine education to international students.
• Most universities in Manila pattern their education system from the United States.
• Undergraduate degree programs are typically completed in four years.
• An academic year is composed of two semester or three terms (trimester) for other universities (i.e. De La Salle University).
• The start of an academic year varies per institution, but it usually falls within the first week of June or the first week of August.
• Christmas break (December 24 to January 1) and Holy Week break (usually last week of March or April) are often followed by universities nationwide.
• Living costs in Manila can range from $4,000 to $6,000 for a whole year.

What is education like in Manila?

The overall education system in the Philippines is overseen by the Department of Education which implements and adjusts programs according to its standards. With a literacy rate of 97.5%, the Philippines put high value on its provision of education to Filipinos. It currently follows a newly implemented program known as the K-12 education consistent with the ASEAN integration policies. Twelve years of education is compulsory for all students. This includes kindergarten, primary school, junior high school, and senior high school. After obtaining a high school degree, students may opt to start looking for a job, establish their own business, or proceed to college or university. Some schools in Manila also offer vocational education.

Quick Facts about Manila

• Whereas it is the country’s capital city, Manila is comparatively smaller in size than another bustling city, Quezon City.
• The official languages of business are Filipino and English.
• Manila’s district of Binondo is the world’s oldest Chinatown.
• In 1762, Britain entered Manila and made it as its colony for 2 years.
• The world’s largest banknote (measuring 8.5” x 14”) was issued by the Central Bank of the Philippines in Manila. In 1998, the Central Bank released a 100,000 peso bill to commemorate the 100th year of Philippine independence from more than 300 years of Spanish colonial rule.
• The daily Manila environment is filled with jeepneys – one of the Philippines’ most iconic cultural symbols.
• Ancient Manila was part of the galleon trade during the 16th to the 19th century that made way for Philippine products such as spices, silk, and pearl to be exported to the New World.
• Manila is home to several Catholic churches that have been founded several centuries ago.
• The San Agustin Church inside Intramuros, Manila is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a Baroque-designed church created by talented Filipino artisans until 1607.

Explore Manila’s university belt now and see for yourself what this amazing city has to offer.

Below is a comprehensive list of all universities in Manila. Edarabia strives to offer the latest updates, helping you find the best university in Manila with information on tuition fees, accreditation details, videos, photos, location map, community reviews and ratings.

Edarabia showcases all universities and colleges in Manila which can be filtered by courses and tuition fees. International students looking to get a degree in Manila can choose from a diverse range of programs and diplomas and obtain their Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhDs (or MBAs) from some of the top-rated institutions. Some universities also offer online courses through which students can apply for distance learning and get an online degree in certain fields.

Students who require financial aid can apply for scholarships in order to study higher education at a lower cost. Student visas and accommodation are also provided to students at many universities. There are study abroad and exchange programs offered in order to promote language development skills while giving students the opportunity to interact with other cultures around the world. Additionally, each university/college has ratings based on student reviews and are ranked below accordingly.

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