LIST: How much are the tuition fees in top Philippine universities?

University of the Philippines

Dreaming of becoming an Iskolar ng Bayan? UP has consistently made it to global university rankings and maintained its lead among PH schools.

The tuition fee is free at this university, pursuant to the provisions of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. But those who were not able to finish their program within a given period and have earned their bachelor’s degree/diploma will not be eligible for the free tuition perk.

At the UP Diliman campus, the fee per unit is P1,500. This, however, varies if a student is eligible for a discount. Per the university’s Socialized Tuition System, the discounts are based on the paying capacity of the household to which a student belongs, considering its income and socio-economic characteristics:

• Partial Discount – 33% = P1,000
• Partial Discount – 60% = P600
• Partial Discount – 80% = P300
• Full Discount – 100% = P0 (free tuition, miscellaneous, and laboratory fees)
• Full Discount + stipend = P0 (free tuition, miscellaneous, and laboratory fees, PLUS monthly stipend)

In the UP Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga, the tuition fee is P1,000 per unit. The discount rates are as follows:

• Partial Discount – 33% = P600
• Partial Discount – 60% = P400
• Partial Discount – 80% = P200
• Full Discount – 100% = P0 (free tuition, miscellaneous, and laboratory fees)
• Full Discount + stipend = P0 (free tuition, miscellaneous, and laboratory fees, plus monthly stipend)

Ateneo de Manila University

Aside from UP, Ateneo is also among the consistently top universities in the world rankings. In Times Higher Education's ranking released last June, it emerged as the top Philippine university, landing within the 101-200 bracket.

The tuition fee costs vary for each program. For the academic year 2025-2026, each unit costs around P5,200, with the average tuition fee per semester at P104,420 for 20 units. Basic fees like registration fee, library fee, health and wellness fee, and student activities fee are at P16,574, while other fees such as ID fee, yearbook fee, NSTP tuition fee, and diploma/graduation fee cost P7,200. Note that students may be charged additional fees for laboratory use or overload fees, though the amount would still depend on their chosen program.

ADMU also offers merit-based scholarships, financial aid assistance, and the Magis scholarship for applicants who are within financially constrained circumstances. Learn more about it here. 

De La Salle University

Also part of the “Big Four” is DLSU, which reigned supreme among PH universities in various subject areas alongside UP in THE's list early this year.

The tuition fee at DLSU is P4,053 per unit for every semester. Other fees vary depending on which college department you are enrolled in. You can check out the breakdown of fees here. 

Scholarships are also available for deserving students, such as the Star Scholarship, St. La Salle Financial Assistance Grant, Vaugirard Scholarship Program, Br. Andrew Gonzalez Academic Scholarship, De la Salle University-TELUS Student Assistantship Program, Military Scholarship (PD 577), Top Achievers in the Freshman Test 100 (T.A.F.T. 100), and more.

Likewise, there are available loans for enrolled students, such as the thesis loan, calamity loan, and emergency loan. Students may approach the University Student Government to apply for the Student Government Assistant Fund for 0% interest loans.

University of Santo Tomas

Completing the "Big Four" is UST, the oldest university in the Philippines. Some of their notable alumni include the country's national heroes: Dr. Jose Rizal and Apolinario Mabini.

Tuition fees at UST vary by year level and college department, though it ranges from P53,860 for programs under the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management to P79,343 for the College of Architecture. Note that these are for the first year, first term on a full payment basis, and they include miscellaneous fees, other fees, and additional fees of ROTC and NSTP.

Foreign students will have to pay a fee of $50 (P2,835).

Mapúa University

Mapúa University was also part of THE's 2025 World University Rankings by subject, leading local schools in the fields of Computer Science, Engineering, and Physical Sciences.

The tuition fees here range from P49,420 (for Physics and Materials Science as well as its Engineering program) to P64,815 (for Industrial Engineering and the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering program) for the first trimester. 

Note that these prices are for full payments, and the fees may be different for installment payments.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

PUP emerged as the top preferred PH school by employers in 2023, per a survey by online job portal JobStreet. The university also made it to the 541st-560th range in all of Asia in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings in 2025.

Tuition fees at PUP are free, though students would still have to pay for miscellaneous fees and memberships in school organizations.

Otherwise, the tuition fee is P1,600 per unit, an application fee of P3,200, and an accreditation fee (fees for subjects credited to be before application for graduation) worth P100 per tuition hour. Check the breakdown of fees here. 

Batangas State University

Specializing in engineering programs, the BSU landed within the 401–600 bracket in THE world rankings last June—a significant increase from its previous placement in the 601-800 bracket in 2024.

As a state university, this institution is covered by the Free Tuition Act, but students who will go beyond the required period of the program will be deemed ineligible for the perk. 

The tuition fee for undergraduate programs is P250 per unit per semester, plus miscellaneous fees. Learn more about it here.

Mindanao State University — Iligan Institute of Technology

The MSU-IIT has always been in the global rankings. It was among the local HEIs within the 801–1000 bracket in the THE Impact Rankings last month, up from the 1001 to 1500 bracket.

The state university is also covered by the Free Tuition Act. Otherwise, undergraduate programs range from P3,500 to P9,000 per semester. Check the programs here. 

University of San Carlos

USC Cebu has made its mark in quality education by consistently being among the top-performing schools in licensure exams, including Bar exams.

The tuition fees range from P40,000 to P60,000 per semester, but they could go up depending on your course, especially for those that have lab subjects.

There are also merit-based and financial aid scholarships that students can avail of if they are deemed qualified. 

Check out the courses being offered by the school here. 

Silliman University

SU in Dumaguete City is also among the universities outside Metro Manila that made it to the world rankings. It ranked within the 601-620 bracket in the QS Asian University Rankings 2025, and was among the Top 20 universities by EduRank. 

For the academic year 2025-2026, the tuition fees can range from P30,000 to P40,000 per semester, but they can go up to P60,000.