The Philippines’ Best Universities
How do the institutions of higher education in the Philippines rank compared with one another and others around the world?
That is a question hotly debated year after year, as graduates of each university tout the strengths of their respective schools. There are many parameters of performance, and with each, the ranking may shift. So, using the most recently available lists, let’s look at how Philippine universities rank according to various criteria used by the Times Higher Education Supplement-Quacquarelli Symonds (THES-QS) World University Rankings.
GLOBAL RANKING (2008) (source)
#254 – Ateneo de Manila University (up from somewhere between 401-500 in 2007)
#276 – University of the Philippines (up from #398 in 2007)
IN ASIA (2009)
Three to four university systems appear regularly among Asia’s top 100 schools, ranked according to various parameters. These schools are, in no particular order:
- University of the Philippines (system)
- Ateneo de Manila University
- De La Salle University
- University of Santo Tomas
One or more of these four schools are in the lists based on these indicators of academic performance:
1. Academic Peer Review
2. Recruiter Review
3. International Faculty Review
4. International Students Review
5. Student Exchange Inbound
6. Student Exchanges Outbound
None of the Philippine schools ranked for the following, the last two of which are largely indicators of the quality of research and publications:
1. Student/Faculty Ratio
2. Papers Per Faculty
3. Citations Per Paper
By subject, the four Philippine universities mentioned above also feature in the ranks.
1. Arts and Humanities
2. Life Sciences and Biomedicine
3. Natural Sciences
4. Social Sciences
5. IT and Engineering
IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) and the Commission On Higher Education (CHED) have released their list of the Top 20 universities in the Philippines. In this ranking, distinctions are made within university systems, so you’ll see, for example, the University of the Philippines – Diliman listed separated from the University of the Philippines – Los Banos.
There are plans for the CHED to eventually produce lists of the best schools for specific disciplines, much like the THES-QS system. That’s something to look forward to, huh?
So what do these rankings really mean? How relevant are they to, let’s say, a prospective student’s decision to attend a particular university?
To start off the discussion, I’m reposting some of the most recent comments (from the former site) below.
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Result of the 2009 Inter-collegiate programming competition – ASIA (participated by HK, Sg, Vietnam, and the Philippines)
1. UP – Diliman
2. HO Chi Minh City University of Science
3. NUS – Singapore
4. HK University of Science and Tech.
5. UP – Diliman
6. University of HK
7. University of HK
8. Ateneo de Manila
9. Ateneo de Manila
10. UP- Diliman
Congrats UPD for another dominating performance in this competition, specially this year that they ended up 1st in the Asia regional. UPD was also the top local team for the last 3 or 4 years. ADMU topped the local schools in 2005, and was the second best performing local school for the last two years.
Coming up next… the PANA Integrated Marketing Collegiate Competition. Last year’s champion was DLSU.
In this contest, UPD won thrice, ADMU twice, DLSU, UST, PUP, and Assumption once.
another prestigious collegiate competition as the year ends…the National Debate Championship, where ADMU seeks to defend its title for the 3rd straight year.
You see, even in various competitions both local and abroad, the same schools emerge as winners.
This year particularly, UP and Ateneo are neck and neck in the competitions.
In the local competitions, UP won Stratmark, while winning the programming competition and Asia cup moot court competition in Asia. ADMU on the other hand, won FINEX and HSBC young entrepreneur awards in the local competition, and won the Asian Universities debating Championship and Cartier Women’s Initiative Award in Asia.
I believe UP will just submit data “if” THES QS would clarify the source of the previous data they have about UP Diliman. “If they can’t name the department or person who gave them the statistics, no new data will be submitted to them.” As far as I know, they will just credit that ranking “IF” THES QS can clarify their sources. THES QS should also post the sources of the statistics of “each” institutions through their site and published materials. And universities should be notified if a certain entity would use its statistics for study purposes. It doesn’t mean that if THES QS is a known entity in the UK, they can just get any information they want without permission of the “head/President/Rector” of the university and not a department head.
No mature person would read a book with unclear sources through its appendices or acknowledgements. Or even Bibliographies.
Disclaimer: This is not to bash anyone, its just sharing of my point of view regarding the matter.
erratum:
Southville Foreign University won the stratmark competition this year, not UP.
tara Farmville na lang tayo
One thing I wonder about in these kinds of rankings is the impact it has on a school’s enrollment. Do prospective students, particularly foreign ones, take these ranks into much consideration in their decision-making? How seriously should our universities take the results of these surveys? They can totally ignore them, of course. Or maybe there is something they can glean from the results (and what would that be?).
K2me, I try to stay away from Farmville and the other games on FB
No doubt that the ranking doesnt think of boosting enrollment at all :-0
Well, here are my thoughts:
In the local Academic Scene,
Above Average (Top Universities)
Rank 10:
University of the Philippines System
Ateneo de Manila University
De La Salle University – Manila
University of Santo Tomas – Manila
reason: they are consistent in producing top notch graduates, excellent in various fields and they’re globally recognized (International Rankings)
Average (they are known in some courses and fields, meaning not all programs are good) They are good schools LOCALLY.
Rank 6-9
Far Eastern University – Manila
University of The East – Manila
Adamson University
Centro Escolar University – Manila
San Beda College – Manila
San Sebastian College – Manila
Mapua Institute of Technology – Intramuros
Colegio de San Juan de Letran – Intramuros
Lyceum of the Philippines University – Intramuros
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde
St. Paul University – Manila/QC
Miriam College
Assumption College
St. Scolastica’s College
University of Asia and the Pacific
Philippine Christian University
Since I define my average rank as schools with specialized courses on specific fields.
Here are my list of specialized schools that are leaders in their courses offered:
Philippine School of Business Administration (Business courses)
Philippine School of Interior Design (Interior Design)
Philippine Military Academy (Military Science)
Center for Culinary Arts (Culinary)
ENDERUN Colleges (Hotel and Restaurant Management)
PATTS College of Aeronautics (Aviation Courses)
PMI Colleges (Marine Courses)
San Carlos Seminary (Priesthood
Provinces:
University of San Carlos – Cebu
Silliman University – Dumaguete
St. Louis University – Baguio
University of San Agustin – Iloilo
Mindanao State University
Ateneo de Davao, de Naga, Zamboanga Universities
Xavier University
Colegio de San Juan de Letran Bataan and Laguna
Below Average (I don’t know what’s there academic performance) Inconsistent in academic recognitions
Rank 2-5
National University
Polytechnic University of the Philippines System
FEATI University
Technological University of the Philippines System
Technological Institute of the Philippines System
Trinity University of Asia
St. Joseph’s College of Quezon City
Southeast Asian Colleges, Inc
Jose Rizal University
University of the Perpetual Help System
Philippine Women’s University
Philippine Normal University
Central Colleges of the Philippines
Our Lady of Fatima University
Manuel L Quezon University
Emilio Aguinaldo College
Arellano University
Province:
Angeles University Foundation – Pampanga
Central Luzon State University
Aquinas University – Bicol
Central Philipppines University – Iloilo
Definitely not RECOMMENDED (Diploma Factories) During Summer, these schools are spending money for TV commercials just to get students. The universities above are not doing the same.
Rank 0-1
AMA Computer University
STI Colleges
DISCLAIMER: Other People’s opinion should be respected
University of Santo Tomas,
Ateneo de Manila University and
University of San Carlos in Cebu
was chosen to have a corporate partnership with Harvard University in the US. Various newspaper articles and billboards can attest to that in Massachussetts.
Eduniversal (website) acknowledged
University of the Philippines-Diliman,
Asian Institute of Management,
Ateneo de Manila University,
De La Salle University-Manila,
University of Santo Tomas-Manila and
University of San Carlos-Cebu
as the best business schools in the country and included in the TOP 1,000 business schools in the world.
University of the Philippines
Ateneo de Manila University
De La Salle University
University of Santo Tomas
are consistent to be included in various international rankings of world’s best universities
This article caught my attention, read carefully
(source:http://filipinovoices.com/what-is-terribly-wrong-with-the-university-of-the-philippines,
Written on Saturday, September 27th, 2008 at 11:22 am | by blackshama)
“The 100th year of the University of the Philippines is a time for a series of big parties, oblation runs, centennial lectures, a Big Dome Alumni homecoming, several theatrical extravaganzas and of course the Mother of all Lantern Parades to close the year.
“Not even a typhoon could stop the Alumni homecoming. But the only lowdown could be that UP once more failed to make it to the final four of the UAAP basketball tourney (Ateneo won!). Oh well we can look forward to the bicentennial for that.
“At the risk of being called as the centennial party pooper, I will have to dish out criticisms not of my own but that of an American professor that the UP invited to do a critique in 1947…. ”
(Edited by mod for copyright reasons: Please read the rest of the article here).
Citrus_bean, I had to edit your last comment so as not to post the entire article here. Thanks for that link. There are some very good points raised there.
Its okay Ms. Maricar, as long as my post is not being cut. Its very fine with me.
I’m from De La Salle University, a graduate already.
I’d rather not disclose my real name. hehe
Thanks, this site is better than other sites related to academics.
In other sites kasi, they end bashing one another as if their school is as best as Harvard University.
I hope that this site will not end up like that
Hi citrus_bean!
I just would like to comment on your personal ranking, hope it’s okay with you. I was just a bit surprised seeing the PUP System and PNU as among the below average performers.
PUP is good academically. The main campus has been performing quite well as recognized by PRC in various licensure examinations. Though the other branches are not as good as the main, one campus at Taguig though has been on the rise recently in the field of engineering. I’d say PUP is neither below average nor average university. It is a good university.
Likewise, the Philippine Normal University is a good school for education-related degrees. It is one of a dozen schools recognized as Center of Excellence in Education.
These two deserve higher rankings.
Don’t worry BatotoyBibo
Its just my personal ranking
besides, I said that those I include in my below average ranking. I’m not familiar with their academic performance. And also inconsistent in academic recognition and I didn’t said that they have “no” academic recognition.
Yun nga lang, its inconsistent. Needs to improve pa.
But I will stick to my opinion regarding AMA Computer University and STI colleges.
They are “diploma factories”, I saw a list of statistics of board exam results from PRC in 2007, I was shocked to see that all engineering courses offered by STI Colleges has “zero” pasing rate. Less than 50 na nga lang yung nagtake, wala pumasa kahit isa.
No offense to them, they should be closed down like what CHED did in some Law Schools.
Yes I also agree with your factual assessment on AMA Computer University and STI Colleges. Those very poorly performing programs they offer should be stopped IMMEDIATELY. Kawawa yung mga nabibiktima nila. Hirap kitain ng pera. =(
Very true!!!
Did you notice that almost every “kanto” has an AMA Computer University or STI College branch. AMA University even has these sub schools like ABE Colleges, St Augustine School of Nursing etc.
One example is the St Augustine School of Nursing branch infront of SM North EDSA, they offer Nursing in an ordinary office building. How can you offer that course if you’re going to just use ordinary classrooms?
A colleague of mine told me the TV ad of AMA University, the one with Sarah Geronimo stating that the first enrollees will recieve laptops? Its not true daw. Besides the fact that they offer mostly compter courses, their facilities are really lacking. They may have computer labs but not that “top of the line”.
Personally speaking, its funny to see that they really invest in those TV ads especially during summer just to attract students. They should have invested it in upgrading their facilities and performance.
Prestigious universities/colleges doesn’t invest in TV ads to attract students and yet students still enrols to those universities to earn high quality education (to the likes of UP, ADMU, DLSU, UST etc)
On the other hand, STI College’s E2E system (enrolment to employment scheme) is a fraud. I have a neighbor who enroled their son in one of their branches and graduated 3 years ago, up until now he wasn’t assisted by STI for employment preference.
To think that most employers doesn’t really hire people who are products of these schools.
Remember that issue about the closure of some nursing schools in 2004? The CHED chairman during that time decided to stoop down because he can’t take the pressure from the Malacanang. Since the owner of AMA Computer University is a close friend of the Arroyos. See? they are using their influence to make higher education a profit oriented sector.
Indeed, AMA Computer University and STI Colleges are profit oriented schools and diploma mills.
Too bad there are people who trust these schools to earn a degree. The nerve, they charge fees quite similar to other “prestigious” schools.
I’m sorry to what I posted but I will stick to my opinion.
Rank 2-5
National University
Polytechnic University of the Philippines System
FEATI University
Technological University of the Philippines System
Technological Institute of the Philippines System
Trinity University of Asia
St. Joseph’s College of Quezon City
Southeast Asian Colleges, Inc
Jose Rizal University
University of the Perpetual Help System
Philippine Women’s University
Philippine Normal University
Central Colleges of the Philippines
Our Lady of Fatima University
Manuel L Quezon University
Emilio Aguinaldo College
Arellano University
Sa tingin ko ay mero pang mga school dito na mas nag-eexcel pa like CCP, TUA, PNU, TIP and OLFU. Just my opinion
Its okay k2me,
besides, i said earilier that its “just” a perception based ranking.
There are over 2,016 registered universities/collleges in the country and I only rank less than a hundred schools. Barely 10% of the whole picture.
Anu kaya ang bearing ng Institutionally Accredited Status ng CEU, TUA at Ateneo de Naga?
Ateneo de Naga’s accreditation from PAASCU and with its recent deregulated status continues to attract outstanding prospective college students from the Bicol region. Ateneo de Naga has also been producing topnotchers in the CPA, Education, and ECE board exams. It also aims to improve its passing rate in the Nursing licensure test, though the said program is relatively new in the school.
It also has few international linkages like Sophia University and Georgetown, both Jesuit schools too.
Most of the HS students from Ateneo de Naga who don’t make it to Ateneo de Manila or UP would rather stay there for college. Only few pursue undergraduate degrees in UST or DLSU.
Ateneo de Naga’s main regional rival though is not in Camarines Sur but in Albay, the Bicol University.
Congratulation to ABS CBN and University of Santo Tomas for a successful Forum on US Sec of State Hillary Clinton.
I would say Bicol University is the best in Bicol. Next is Ateneo De Naga. But that’s just me. =)
Anu kaya ang bearing ng Institutionally Accredited Status ng CEU, TUA at Ateneo de Naga? Anung kaibahan nito sa per college accreditation?
Last year, I made a post about the rankings of the top universities in the Philippines for 2008. And now, here is the official list of Top Universities in the Philippines for 2009 and there has been a huge change in the rankings. This is ranked according to the study conducted by Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) and the Commission On Higher Education (CHED). Here is the list:
Top 20 Universities in the Philippines 2009
1. University of the Philipines-Diliman
2. University of Santo Tomas
3. Mindanao State University- Iligan institute of Technology
4. University of the Philippines-Los Banos
5. Mindanao State University- Marawi
6. Ateneo de Davao University
7. Ateneo de Manila University
8. Silliman University
9. University of San Carlos
10. Saint Louis University
11. University of the Philippines-Manila
12. De La Salle University-Manila
13. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
14. Xavier University
15. University of Negros Occidental
16. Univesity of Southern Philippines
17. Polytechnic University of the Philippines
18. Mapua Institute of Technology
19. Central Mindanao University
20. Adamson University
UPDATE
But according to other source the “Top Universities in the Philippines 2009″ list is like this (Note: This is based on web popularity rankings):
1. University of the Philippines System
2. De La Salle University
3. University of the Philippines – Diliman
4. University of Santo Tomas
5. Ateneo de Manila University
6. University of the Philippines – Los Baños
7. Asian Institute of Management
8. University of the Philippines – Manila
9. University of San Carlos
10. University of the Philippines – Baguio
11. University of the Philippines in Mindanao
12. University of the Philippines in the Visayas
13. University of the East
14. Mapua Institute of Technology
15. Polytechnic University of the Philippines
16. University of Asia and the Pacific
17. Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology
18. Ateneo de Davao University
19. Centro Escolar University
20. Far Eastern University
Another source said that this is the official list:
1. University of the Philippines(UP Diliman Campus, Metro Manila / Luzon )
2. University of the Philippines(UP Los Banos Campus, Laguna / Luzon )
3. University of the Philippines(Manila Campus, Metro Manila / Luzon )
4. Silliman University (Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental / Visayas)
5. Ateneo deDavao University (Davao City, Davao /Mindanao )
6. Ateneo de Manila University (Quezon City, Metro Manila / Luzon )
7. University of Sto . Tomas (Manila City, Metro Manila / Luzon )
8. Mindanao State University(Iligan Institute of Tech, Iligan / Mindanao )
9. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (Manila City, Metro Manila/Luzon)
10. Saint Louis University (Baguio City, Baguio / Luzon )
11. University of San Carlos (Cebu City, Cebu / Visayas)
12. Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro / Mindanao )
13. Mindanao State University (Main / Mindanao )
14. Urios College ( Butuan City / Mindanao )
15. Polytechnic University of the Philippines ( Manila / Luzon )
16. De La Salle University ( Manila / Luzon )
17. Mapua Institute of Technology ( Manila / Luzon )
18. Adamson University ( Manila / Luzon )
19. Central Mindanao University (Bukidnon/Mindanao)
20. University of Southern Philippines ( Davao /Mindanao)
In my conclusion, the school year of 2009 is not yet finished. And for that reason you cannot say which school ranks better than the other.But don’t worry I’ll give you every update that is available on the web. And another thing, this ranking list that I’m updating will not be based on popularity but on performance.
If there will be a Philippine counterpart of famous American Universities, what it will be?
Note: an informal survey done with various college professors in the city of Manila last October in an informal gathering.
University of the Philippines, Diliman and Manila as HARVARD UNIVERSITY
University of the Philippines, Los Baños as MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Ateneo de Manila University as YALE UNIVERSITY
De La Salle University, Manila as PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
University of Santo Tomas, Manila as STANFORD UNIVERSITY
St. Louis University, Baguio as DUKE UNIVERSITY
University of San Carlos, Cebu as COLOMBIA UNIVERSITY
Silliman University as CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Mindano State University as UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKLEY
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila as UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Counterpart ba kamo? Di nga sila pweding e-compare e!
The following survey is a perception based survey. It does not reflect the reality of schools involved in the survey.
But we just did that because we have high hopes that Philippines will the destination for higher education in Asia.
Filipinos who thinks that our universities can’t compete with foreign universities even in the future doesn’t have the right to be called filipinos.
Just like other filipinos who doesn’t see light in the future of our country.
Just leave this country.
Enough said.
will “be” the destination
The problem with our country is that more and more Filipinos doesn’t express their love for this country.
Instead of building confidence to boost inspiration to our fellow countrymen, we are the ones who criticized our beloved countrymen.
Not to sound nationalistic, at this day and age of globalization, we should show to other countries that we Filipinos are united for progress.
I’m not an Atenean
I’m not a Kapuso
I’m not a jologs
I’m not an elitist
but I’m a FILIPINO
Filipinos who thinks that our universities can’t compete with foreign universities even in the future doesn’t have the right to be called filipinos.
Wierd statement!
Yes, its a weird statement for those people who can’t love and support their own.
Again, its a weird statement.
Top 20 Universities in the Philippines 2009
1. University of the Philipines-Diliman
2. University of Santo Tomas
3. Mindanao State University- Iligan institute of Technology
4. University of the Philippines-Los Banos
5. Mindanao State University- Marawi
6. Ateneo de Davao University
7. Ateneo de Manila University
8. Silliman University
9. University of San Carlos
10. Saint Louis University
11. University of the Philippines-Manila
12. De La Salle University-Manila
13. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
14. Xavier University
15. University of Negros Occidental
16. Univesity of Southern Philippines
17. Polytechnic University of the Philippines
18. Mapua Institute of Technology
19. Central Mindanao University
20. Adamson University
source: http://www.alvindimla.com/2009/08/top-universities-philippines-2009/
Can anyone support this ranking?
Any violent comments?
Assuming the above ranking of Philippine universities by CHED is the latest and is correct, it is very curious to see three UP campuses and three Ateneo schools making it to the top 20. How about the other La Salle schools?
UPD / UPLB / UPM versus ADMU / ADDU / Xavier (Ateneo de CDO)
BTW, in the debating scene, UP bagged the National title in the National Debating Championship while Ateneo won the East Asia Debating Tilt. The only two remaining international championships being contested is the World Universities Peace Invitational Debate or WUPID where both Ateneo and UP (and DLSU) are participating, and the year-ender World Universities Debating Championship or WUDC, to be participated by Ateneo and DLSU.
2009 record
UP
National Debating Championship – Champion
Philippine Intervarsity Debating Championship – Champion
Asia Regional Moot Court Competition – Champion
Ateneo
Asian Universities Debating Championship – Champion
Australasian Debating Championship – Quarterfinalist
East Asia Invitational Debate Championship – Champion
Who will have the better 2009 record?
Let’s see and wait for their performance in the WUPID and the ultimate debating competition, the World Universities Debating Championship where Ateneo is currently ranked number 8 worldwide.
Hi everyone, I just want to let you know that come 2010, I will no longer be writing about Philippine Culture here at PlanetEye. Thank you for all your support and community, even after the move from our old haunt on Filipina Soul. I wish you all a great year! If any of you would like to reconnect, I can still be found online at merryroyals.com and at my personal site, maricarmac.com. Thanks again, you guys are awesome!
Mukang wala nang nag-po-post dito.
Ateneo, UP, UST, and DLSU were once again featured in the list of Asian Universities Ranking for 2010.
In the second edition of the regional ranking that has been conducted by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd., the same organization that produce the annual World Universities Ranking, Ateneo de Manila University climbed 26 spots, or from 84th to 58th in the region, to lead the Philippine universities in the table. The recent survey also solidified Ateneo’s number 1 position among local universities, both in the regional and world ranking editions. University of the Philippines, on the other hand, slipped from 63rd to 78th, while De La Salle University dropped 30 spots, from 76th to 106th. Meanwhile, UST improved its ranking score and jumped from 144th to 101st, 43 spots from last year, and 3rd overall among Philippines’ best.
Ateneo 58th
UP 78th
UST 101st
DLSU 106th
Meanwhile, other local schools started to figure in the said ranking. Xavier University, Silliman University, Adamson University, San Carlos University, Ateneo de Davao University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Mindanao State University, Mapua Institute of Technology and St. Louis University were listed in the top 200 for subject rankings such as Arts and Humanities, Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and IT and Engineering, and other ranking indicators like student/faculty ratio, and international students.
Asian Universities Ranking 2010 – Top 10:
1.University of Hong Kong – Hong Kong
2.The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology – Hong Kong
3.National University of Singapore – Singapore
4.The Chinese University of Hong Kong – Hong Kong
5.The University of Tokyo – Japan
6.Seoul National University – South Korea
7.Osaka University – Japan
8.Kyoto University – Japan
9.Tohoku University – Japan
10.Nagoya University – Japan
UP, Ateneo and La Salle are indeed the best Philippine Universities!
Indeed
UP, ADMU, DLSU and UST are the undisputed top four universities in the Philippines!!!