Top Universities in Philippines: Rankings, Courses & Cost

The Philippines is a one-stop destination for all those overseas students who wish to pursue quality higher education abroad with affordable tuition fees, in a multicultural environment. The country has a plethora of higher academic institutes with courses taught in English, making it easy for foreign nations to comprehend. The article will assist students in learning about the top universities in the Philippines, popular programmes, the cost of studying in the Philippines, and much more.

Which are the best universities in the Philippines? A most common question among students who are planning to study in the Philippines. It is one of the most popular higher education destinations in the Asian continent. According to QS World University Rankings 2026, Ateneo de Manila University is the #1 university in the Philippines. The ranking of this university is #362.

Degrees offered at top universities in the Philippines are recognised at a global level, positively pushing employers to hire their graduates. Many alumni from these institutions have achieved success in fields such as medicine, engineering, business, and technology, benefiting from the extensive opportunities available. In this article, we have listed down the top universities in Philippines, including their popular courses and more.

Top Universities in Philippines

In the Philippines, the duration of undergraduate programmes is four years. However, the duration for studying medicine in Philippines finish their courses in approximately 6 years. Here's a list of the top MBBS colleges in the Philippines. Talking about the postgraduate courses, most of them last one or two years, with science and engineering courses ending in three years. If we throw light on Ph.D. or doctoral degree courses, these usually take a longer study period than in various Western nations. The approximate duration can be 5-7 years, depending on the mode of study.

Is Philippines good for Indian Students?

Students from India who are looking forward to pursuing higher studies abroad can consider the Philippines due to its excellent education quality and affordability. The cost of studying and living in the Philippines is comparatively lower than in various Western nations. Due to this factor, its Indian expatriate community is quite good, making one feel at home.

Top Reasons for Studying in Philippines

Several factors make the Philippines are suitable study-abroad destination for overseas students. Some of the major reasons are listed below:

• Low Tuition Fees: Both the cost of studying and the cost of living in the Philippines are among the top factors attracting the international student population to the country. This is due to the fact that most of the higher education institutes usually charge lower fees in comparison to various countries in the West which are renowned for higher education. Due to this education becomes more accessible.
• Teaching in English: Being one of the official languages of the Philippines, English is used to teach many academic courses in Philippine universities and colleges. Because of this, non-native speakers find it easy to understand and register the lessons. This makes their academic journey a lot easier.
• Multicultural Environment: Acknowledged for its rich heritage and culture, students from all across the world, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, race, and nationality, are pursuing different courses in the Philippines. This helps you become a part of a socially inclusive environment.
• Healthcare Courses: The country has earned a reputation for its medical and healthcare-related programmes, due to which students from different parts of the world come in large numbers to pursue medical education.

Popular Universities in Philippines by Subject

Have a look at the top subject areas offered at Philippine institutes and the top universities or colleges for them.

Read: Get into Top Universities Abroad with Shiksha Topper Counselling Service

Cost of Living in Philippines

As mentioned at the beginning, students pursuing higher education in the Philippines will have to shell out a relatively lesser amount as the country is considered budget-friendly for overseas students. Students who have been discouraged due to the expensive cost of living in many of the top study-abroad destinations can choose the Philippines because of its affordability. As Manila has a good number of overseas students, we are specifically listing the average living costs of the city:

On average, a person may have to spend around 28,200 PHP (INR 41,240) in a month living in Manila. This does not include the rent. The rent of your accommodation, if living off-campus, will have to be paid separately in the Philippines. If you select a city apart from Manila, the cost of living will go down. Choosing residences, commonly known as corridors or dorms, may help you pay less.

Related Reads:

For more details related to studying abroad and foreign admissions, reach out to Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors for free.