Thirty-five Philippine universities were recognized in the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings, marking the country’s strongest representation in the annual regional assessment. Despite some declines in individual rankings, the inclusion of so many institutions underscores the growing competitiveness of Philippine higher education.
Top Philippine Universities and Their Rankings
The University of the Philippines (UP) maintained its position as the nation’s leading university, ranking 104th, though it slipped 18 places from last year. Ateneo de Manila University improved slightly to 141st, while De La Salle University fell to 178th. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) remained fourth in the country, ranking 184th among 1,530 universities in the region.
Other notable Philippine universities included Adamson University (464th), University of San Carlos (507th), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (671st), Silliman University (694th), and Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (731–740). Several institutions made their debut in the rankings, such as Visayas State University, National University, Technological University of the Philippines, and University of Mindanao.
QS Ranking Methodology and Regional Leaders
The QS Asia University Rankings assesses institutions using 11 key indicators. Academic reputation accounted for 30% of the score, while employer reputation contributed 20%. Other factors included faculty-student ratio (10%), international research network (10%), citations per paper (10%), papers per faculty (5%), and staff with PhDs (5%). Smaller indicators measured the internationalization of faculty and students, as well as exchange programs.
Leading the 2026 rankings is the University of Hong Kong, followed by China’s Peking University. Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore shared the third spot. Established in 2009, the QS Asia University Rankings focuses on research impact, international collaboration, and academic excellence tailored to regional priorities.
The inclusion of 35 Philippine universities highlights both the opportunities and challenges facing the country’s higher education sector, signaling steady progress in research, global engagement, and institutional development.
