List of 248 Best Universities in Philippines (2026 Fees)

Another popular study abroad destination for international students is the Philippines. A country made up of more than 7,000 islands in Southeast Asia, the Philippines provides an affordable and quality education to more than 5,000 international students every year.

To date, there are 2,300 listed colleges and universities in the Philippines – most of which are privately-funded. The country’s premier university is its national state university, the University of the Philippines, recognised worldwide to be one of the top calibre institutions.

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Studying in the Philippines is almost equivalent to embracing a diverse and practical education with its wide variety of disciplines as well as its rich historical and cultural background. Previously occupied by Spain for centuries, and the United States for over 20 years, the Philippines’ culture and traditions remain highly-influenced by these two countries.

The Philippines follow the American school system as a model. Likewise, its primary medium of instruction and official language of business is English.

When it comes to degree programs, the Philippines has a wide range of options. The country has globally-recognized universities that offer undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate studies particularly in the fields of agriculture, social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities. With agriculture as the main driver of economy, the Philippines houses the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) which employs international experts on agricultural knowledge. Internships and part-time jobs are also available for international students in the Philippines among multinational companies located in the central business districts of Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Ortigas (Pasig).

Table of Contents

• Facts about Universities in the Philippines
• What is education like in the Philippines?
• Quick Facts about the Philippines

Facts about Universities in the Philippines

• The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) supervises universities in the Philippines.
• Colleges and universities 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.
• The government allocates funds for public universities, although its own board of directors manages each institution. They are usually non-sectarian universities.
• Most private universities, such as the two top private universities in the country, the University of Santo Tomas and the Ateneo de Manila University, are run by Catholic, non-profit organisations.
• Undergraduate degree programs are typically completed in four years.
• Graduate and postgraduate degrees could take up to 2 or 3 years depending on the institution.
• An academic year is composed of two semesters or three terms for trimester 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 the Philippines are relatively low for an international student. An average cost of $1,000 for public universities or $1,200 to $1,500 for private universities will cover one’s tuition for a year. For other basic necessities, expect to spend $4,200 to $6,000 per year which can also cover transportation, food, and other miscellaneous expenses.
• A Filipino student visa allows the holder to get a part-time job in the Philippines.

What is education like in the Philippines?

The overall education system in the Philippines is overseen by the Department of Education, which implements and adjusts programs according to its standards. The literacy rate in the Philippines is 97.5%. Most Filipinos understand and speak basic English. This is one of the factors that make the country attractive to tourists and international students.

Since the Americans set foot in the archipelago in the 1900s, the English language has been incorporated in the Philippine education system. Until now, the Philippine Constitution protects the provision that English must be taught in schools and be the language of instruction parallel with the Filipino language. Hence, at the start of third grade in primary school, children are taught English. The Philippine government believes that proficiency in the English language would make its citizens more globally competent.

A recent change in the Philippine education system concerns the preservation of cultural languages and gearing up for better learning of a foreign language, particularly English. The Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) states that children from kindergarten until primary school shall be taught in their mother tongue or native language (i.e. Bisaya, Tagalog, Hiligaynon). They shall also have a Mother Tongue subject where they are taught about the local culture and language. Gradually, the subjects will be taught using the Filipino and English languages. Many experts around the world believe that this approach to language produces better-performing learners who are culturally responsible and proficient English speakers.

The Philippines currently follows a recently implemented program known as the K-12. This move was made in response to its membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which goal is to develop a regionally integrated Southeast Asia. Previously, the country follows the Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) which only requires 10 years of compulsory education: six years of primary school and four years of high school or secondary school. The K-12, on the other hand, consists of mandatory 12 years of education starting from kindergarten (1), primary school (6), junior high school (4), and senior high school (1). After completing the senior high school level, students have three options: to continue a degree program in a college or university, to look for a job, or to venture into self-employed options such as businesses. Some students opt to enrol in a vocational course in TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) rather than pursuing a two- or four-year course in higher education institutions.

Quick Facts about the Philippines

• The country’s capital city is Manila, although Quezon City is comparatively larger.
• It is a democratic republic.
• In 1972 until 1986, the country was under a dictatorship.
• It is a densely populated country with approximately 103 million residents.
• The Philippines is composed of 7,641 islands. Only 2,000 of which are inhabited. About 5,000 islands are still left unnamed.
• It is considered as the second largest archipelago in the world, next to Indonesia.
• The country was dubbed as “Pearl of the Orient” due to its attractive location.
• The archipelago is divided into three major geographic regions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
• The main mode of transportation in the Philippines is the jeepney. They also have buses, trains, and cabs.
• Coron, an island in Palawan, is named as the world’s best island.
• Mayon Volcano, the world’s perfectly shaped volcano, is in Albay, Philippines.
• Due to its archipelagic landscape, the country has a linguistically diverse population with 19 recognised regional languages and almost 170 dialects.
• The official languages used for formal settings are Filipino and English.
• The Philippines is the 5th largest English-speaking country.
• The history of the Philippines dates back in the 1500s when Spaniards, led by Ferdinand Magellan, arrived.
• The country’s name is derived from a former king of Spain, King Philip II.
• The Philippines was subject to Spanish rule for about 300 years.
• Filipinos are known worldwide for their hospitality, optimism, and resilience.
• Majority of Filipinos follow the Catholic faith.
• The country has a large population making it the 12th most populated country worldwide.
• The Philippines has a large number of Chinese families owning major businesses in various industries in the country.
• Filipino people love to play basketball as much as they love boxing.
• Muslims in the Philippines settle in Mindanao area.
• Shopping malls are found in almost every city in the Philippines. It is home to three of the top 10 largest shopping malls in the world.
• The Philippines has many festivals honouring ancient gods and goddesses and traditions.
• It is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world.
• More than 11 million Filipinos work in other countries around the world. Remittances from overseas workers contribute to a large chunk on the country’s economy.
• The Philippines is the largest exporter of coconut products.
• Its many islands attract tourists who wish to do water activities like swimming, surfing, snorkelling, and diving.
• The country’s location is an opportunity to swiftly cross to other Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Indonesia.
• The country’s currency is the PhP or Philippine Peso.

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Below is a comprehensive list of all universities in the Philippines (Agusan del Norte, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Agusan del Sur, Bayugan, Albay, Legazpi, Ligao, Tabaco, Basilan, Isabela, Lamitan, Bataan, Balanga, Batangas, Batangas City, Lipa, Santo Tomas, Tanauan, Benguet, Baguio, Bohol, Tagbilara, Bukidnon, Malaybalay, Valencia, Bulacan, Malolos, Meycauayan, San Jose del Monte, Cagayan, Tuguegarao, Camarines Sur, Iriga, Naga, Capiz, Roxas, Cavite, Bacoor, Cavite City, Dasmariñas, General Trias, Imus, Tagaytay, Trece Martire, Cebu, Bogo, Carcar, Cebu City, Danao, Lapu‑Lapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay, Toled, Kidapawan, Davao del Norte, Panabo, Samal, Tagu, Davao del Sur, Davao City, Digos, Davao Oriental, Mati, Eastern Samar, Borongan, Ilocos Norte, Batac, Laoag, Ilocos Sur, Candon, Viga, Iloilo, Iloilo City, Passi, Isabela, Cauayan, Ilagan, Santiago, Kalinga, Tabuk, La Union, San Fernando, Laguna, Biñan, Cabuyao, Calamba, San Pablo, San Pedro, Santa Rosa, Lanao del Norte, Iligan, Lanao del Sur, Marawi, Leyte, Baybay, Ormoc, Tacloban, Maguindanao, Cotabato City, Masbate, Masbate City, Misamis Occidental, Oroquieta, Ozamiz, Tangu, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro, El Salvado, Gingoog, Negros Occidental, Bacolod, Bago, Cadiz, Escalante, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, La Carlota, Sagay, San Carlos, Silay, Sipalay, Talisay, Victorias, Negros Oriental, Bais, Bayawan, Canlaon, Dumaguet, Guihulngan, Tanjay, Nueva Ecija, Cabanatuan, Gapan, Muñoz, Palayan, San Jose, Oriental Mindor, Calapan, Palawan, Puerto Princesa, Pampanga, Angeles, Mabalacat, San Fernando, Pangasinan, Alaminos, Dagupan, San Carlos, Urdaneta, Quezon, Lucena. Tayabas, Rizal, Antipolo, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Sorsogon, Sorsogon City, South Cotabato, General Santos, Koronadal, Southern Leyte, Maasin, Sultan Kudarat, Tacurong, Surigao del Norte, Surigao City, Surigao del Sur, Bislig, Tandag, Tarlac, Tarlac City, Zambales, Olongapo, Zamboanga del Norte, Dapitan, Dipolog, Zamboanga del Sur, Pagadian, Zamboanga City, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela, Vigan). Edarabia strives to offer the latest updates, helping you find the best university in the Philippines with information on tuition fees, accreditation details, videos, photos, location map, community reviews and ratings.

Edarabia showcases all universities and colleges in Philippines which can be filtered by courses and tuition fees. International students looking to get a degree in Philippines 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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