Explore universities and higher education institutions in the Philippines, including schools in Manila, Quezon City, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Iloilo and other major cities.
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The Philippines has a large and diverse higher education sector, with public universities, state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, and private higher education institutions across the country's regions.
The country's higher education system is overseen and regulated by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). CHED maintains an official Higher Education Institution Directory that allows students and researchers to explore institutions throughout the Philippines.
Students often consider universities based on academic reputation, degree programs, research, location, tuition costs, scholarships, campus facilities and career opportunities. International rankings can provide one comparison point, but they should not be the only factor when choosing a university.
The University of the Philippines is the country's national university. UP operates as a university system with constituent universities including UP Diliman, UP Manila, UP Los Baños, UP Visayas, UP Open University, UP Mindanao, UP Baguio and UP Cebu, together with UP Tacloban College.
UP offers programs across areas such as science and engineering, agriculture and fisheries, social sciences, arts and letters, management and education. Its campuses are distributed across different regions of the Philippines.
International rankings can be useful when comparing universities. In the QS South-Eastern Asia 2026 ranking, the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas are among the Philippine universities listed in the regional ranking.
Rankings change from year to year and use different methodologies. Students should therefore also compare the specific degree program, admission requirements, tuition, scholarships, location and accreditation before making a decision.
Metro Manila is one of the largest higher education centers in the Philippines. Students can find universities and colleges in Manila, Quezon City, Makati, Pasig, Taguig, Caloocan, Valenzuela and other parts of the National Capital Region.
CHED's current Higher Education Institution Directory lists hundreds of higher education institutions in the National Capital Region, including public and private institutions.
Cebu is an important education center in the Visayas. The city and surrounding province are home to universities and colleges offering programs in business, engineering, information technology, health sciences, education, tourism and other fields.
Davao is one of the major education centers in Mindanao. Students can choose from public and private universities offering programs across business, information technology, engineering, health, education, agriculture and other disciplines.
State universities and colleges, commonly referred to as SUCs, play an important role in providing higher education throughout the Philippines. Many are located outside Metro Manila and offer programs closely connected with regional economic and community needs.
Examples include universities such as Central Luzon State University, Cavite State University, Bicol University, West Visayas State University, Visayas State University, Central Mindanao University and University of Southeastern Philippines.
The Philippines also has a large private higher education sector. Private universities offer programs ranging from business and information technology to medicine, engineering, law, education, hospitality and the arts.
CHED publishes information about recognized and authorized higher education institutions, while individual universities provide their own current admission requirements, tuition information and program details.
The highest-ranked university is not necessarily the best choice for every student. Before applying, compare universities according to the course you want to study and your personal circumstances.
International students considering the Philippines should check the admission requirements of the individual university as well as the applicable immigration and student visa requirements. Requirements can vary depending on nationality, institution and program.
Always use the university's official admissions office and Philippine government sources for current requirements rather than relying solely on third-party websites.
Use the university search tool above to explore institutions returned for the Philippines. Each result can include the university name, country, domain and available official website.
For the most authoritative information about recognized higher education institutions in the Philippines, students should also consult the official CHED Higher Education Institution Directory.