Top 15 Best Universities in the Philippines in 2024

Here are the Top 15 Universities in the Philippines today. These are the best schools, top colleges, and most popular universities ranked for excellent education, outstanding career growth, exceptional employability records, and top-notched institutions.

The rank is based on QS Quacquarelli Symonds’s best higher education institutions in Asia. QS is also recognized by CHED and links high achievers from the graduate, MBA, and executive communities worldwide with leading business schools, postgraduate departments at universities, and employers through websites, events, e-guides, and technical solutions.

QS is trusted for its ranking criteria, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student, citations per paper, international students, international faculty, papers per faculty, faculty staff with Ph.D., outbound exchange, inbound exchange, and international research network.

Table of Contents:

Top 15 Universities in the Philippines in 2024:

University of the Philippines
Ateneo de Manila University
De La Salle University

University of Santo Tomas
Ateneo de Davao University
Mapua University

Siliman University
Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology
Saint Louis University (Philippines)

Xavier University
Adamson University
The Cebu Technological University

Central Luzon State University
Central Mindanao University
Central Philippine University

Top 10 Universities in the Philippines in 2024

1. University of the Philippines (UP)

UP ranked as the number one university in the Philippines in 2024 and reached the #404 spot among the Top Universities in the World and proud #18 among the Top Universities in Asia.

UP Diliman is the flagship campus and seat of administration of the UP System. It is the home of different colleges, offering 381 graduate and 190 undergraduate courses. It also runs several research centers, many of which have been declared by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as National Centers of Excellence.

2. Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU)

Ateneo de Manila University is not only among the best universities in the Philippines; it also has the second-highest graduate employability ranking. ADMU ranked as #563 among the Top Universities in the World in 2024.

Being the third-oldest university in the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University’s motto “Lux in Domino,” which means “Light in the Lord,” inspires every Atenean. According to Wikipedia, Ateneo has produced four Presidents of the Philippines.

“Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero, and the Ateneo’s greatest student, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Ateneo Municipal. He was one of nine hailed as sobresaliente in his graduating class of twelve.” – Ateneo Facts

3. De La Salle University (DLSU)

De La Salle University is among the Philippine universities included in the University Impact Ranking 2023 by Times Higher Education, placing 401+ spot. It’s a big recognition for universities worldwide for their social and economic impact, based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

QS Ranked De La Salle University as the Top 3 Universities in the Philippines in 2024. DSLU has bestowed an honorary degree to notable people with remarkable contributions to society and the Philippines like Henry Sy (founder of SM Group), Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and Jack Ma (Chinese billionaire, founder of Alibaba).

4. University of Santo Tomas (UST)

UST is the oldest university in Asia, founded in 1611. In terms of student population, it is one of the largest Catholic universities in the world. It is the only university visited by three popes four times: once by Pope Paul VI on November 28, 1970, twice by Pope John Paul II on February 18, 1981, and January 13, 1995, and once by Pope Francis on January 18, 2015.

Jose Rizal, our National Hero, studied Medicine at the University of Santo Tomas. UST has produced national heroes, church martyrs, renowned scientists, national artists, well-known business tycoons and athletes, prominent doctors, four Philippine presidents, three vice presidents, and 6 Chief Justices.

UST ranked as #801-850 from the Top Universities in the World in 2024. UST graduates always dominate the top 10 in courses with board and licensure exams (Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Engineering, Architecture, Accountancy, and Education).

5. Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU)

Ateneo de Davao University is a premiere Filipino, Catholic, and Jesuit University founded in 1948. ADDU welcomes studies in arts and sciences, business and governance education, engineering and architecture, and law school.

Not only it is among the top private universities in Davao City, Philippines, Ateneo de Davao University ranked #107 in the QS Asian university ranking in 2024.

6. Mapua University (MU)

Mapua University (formerly known as Mapua Institute of Technology) has grown to be the biggest engineering school in the Philippines for almost ten decades of excellence in technical education. It was founded by Don Tomas Mapua, the country’s first registered architect, on January 25, 1925.

CHED declared Mapua University a National Center of Development for CE, CPE, CS (Computer Science), EE, ECE, IE, IT, and ME programs. Mapua is one of the top IT schools in the Philippines, too. QS ranked Mapua University #601-650 in the top university ranking in Asia in 2024.

7. Siliman University (SU)

Siliman University is located in the charming city of Dumaguete, dubbed as the “City of Gentle People.” Consistently one of the Philippines’ best and most prestigious universities, Siliman University is also known to produce topnotchers in board exams. It ranked #601-650 in the Top Universities in Asia in 2024.

According to Siliman University’s website, “whole person education” is what Silliman offers. It is the holistic development of one’s competence, character, and faith, transforming one into a person for others. The approach to learning is encapsulated in its tri-logical ministry of teaching, healing, and preaching, providing opportunities for deep reflection towards an appreciation of self in relation to the larger community.

Campus life revolves around the motto Via, Veritas, Vita (the Way, the Truth, the Life). It is Silliman’s mission to develop the whole person within the Christian context and in a sound environment. Students are expected to put their education to work in service to those in need.”

8. Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT)

Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology is also among the best universities in the Philippines in 2024. It is #117 in the Asian University – South Eastern Asia ranking in 2024.

Founded in 1968 under the provision of the Republic Act (RA) 5363, MSU-IIT is known for its excellence in science and technology. CHED designated it as Centers of Excellence in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Teacher Education. CHED also recognizes MSU-IIT as Centers of Development in Information Technology, Physics, and Civil Engineering.

9. Saint Louis University (SLU)

Saint Louis University, situated in the heart of Baguio City, boasts a sprawling six-hectare campus and over 30 buildings, making it the largest university north of Manila.

Just as the northern lights captivate with their brilliance, SLU aims to illuminate as the beacon of the North. Its graduates, equipped with intellectual prowess and a strong Christian values. SLU ranks #127 in Asian University – South Eastern Asia ranking in 2024.

10. Xavier University (XU)

Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan was founded in 1933 and became the first higher education institution in Mindanao to receive a university status. Xavier University ranked #801 in the Top Asian Universities in 2024.

What are the big 4 universities in the Philippines?

The big 4 universities in the Philippines are the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and the University of Santo Tomas. They are the most prominent and most popular educational institutions in the Philippines established to continue academic excellence and scholastic legacy.