Tuition Fees of Top Universities and Colleges in Metro Manila

Metro Manila is the educational hub of the Philippines, hosting many of the country's premier universities and colleges. The cost of higher education in this region varies significantly depending on the institution's public or private status, the specific degree program, and the academic calendar system employed. This report provides a detailed comparative analysis of the estimated tuition and miscellaneous fees for undergraduate programs at top universities in Metro Manila for the academic years 2024 to 2027.

The findings indicate a broad spectrum of educational costs. State-funded institutions like the University of the Philippines (UP) and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) offer free tuition to most students under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act [1]. Conversely, elite private institutions such as De La Salle University (DLSU) and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) command premium fees, often exceeding P100,000 per term [2] [3].

Factors Influencing Tuition Costs

Several key factors contribute to the wide variance in tuition fees across Metro Manila universities:

1. Public vs. Private Status: Public universities receive government subsidies, making them highly affordable or free for eligible students. Private universities rely on tuition and private funding, resulting in higher costs.

2. Academic Calendar: Institutions operating on a trimester (e.g., DLSU) or quarter system (e.g., Mapúa University) require more frequent payments per year compared to those on a traditional semestral system, which can increase the total annual cost [4].

3. Degree Program: Programs requiring extensive laboratory work, specialized equipment, or longer durations—such as engineering, medicine, and architecture—typically incur higher fees than liberal arts or business programs.

4. Facilities and Reputation: Universities with modern infrastructure, international accreditations, and high global rankings often charge premium rates to maintain their standards and facilities.

Comparative Analysis of Tuition Fees

The following table summarizes the estimated tuition and miscellaneous fees for undergraduate programs at top universities in Metro Manila. The figures are estimates per term (semester, trimester, or quarter) and are subject to change based on the specific program and unit load.

University / College	System	Estimated Cost per Term (PHP)	Estimated Annual Cost (PHP)	Notes
University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman	Semestral	Free / ~37,243	Free / ~74,486	Free for eligible students; non-subsidized rate shown [1].
Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)	Semestral	Free / ~252	Free / ~504	Free for eligible students; highly subsidized rate shown [4].
Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU)	Semestral	128,194 - 143,501	256,388 - 287,002	Premium Jesuit institution; fees include basic and other charges [2] [4].
De La Salle University (DLSU)	Trimester	71,000 - 102,000	213,000 - 306,000	Costs vary significantly by college and unit load [3] [4].
University of Santo Tomas (UST)	Semestral	60,000 - 120,000	120,000 - 240,000	Oldest university in Asia; strong in health sciences [3] [4].
Far Eastern University (FEU)	Semestral	53,898 - 99,930	107,796 - 199,860	Known for accountancy and medical technology [4].
Mapúa University	Quarter	35,000 - 70,000	140,000 - 280,000	Premier engineering and IT institution [4].
Adamson University	Semestral	59,347 - 68,287	118,694 - 136,574	Strong in engineering and sciences [3].
Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU)	Semestral	51,213 - 60,432	102,426 - 120,864	Globally oriented programs, especially hospitality [4].
University of the East (UE)	Semestral	45,000 - 65,000	90,000 - 130,000	Dentistry and engineering programs are on the higher end [5].
Centro Escolar University (CEU)	Semestral	~63,757	~127,514	Known for health sciences and business [6].
San Beda University	Semestral	50,000 - 65,000	100,000 - 130,000	Renowned for law and business programs [4].
Miriam College	Semestral	55,000+	110,000+	Offers hybrid learning modes [7].
Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP)	Semestral	~38,000	~76,000	Affordable engineering and computing programs [8].
National University (NU)	Semestral	25,000 - 30,000	50,000 - 60,000	Highly accessible private education [4].
Enderun Colleges	Semestral	230,000 - 270,000	460,000 - 540,000	Premier hospitality and culinary arts institution [4].

Institutional Profiles

State Universities

• University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman

As the national university, UP Diliman is renowned for its academic rigor and selective admission process. Under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, tuition is free for most undergraduate students. For those who do not qualify or opt out, the standard tuition rate is P1,500 per unit. A typical 21-unit semester, including miscellaneous fees, costs approximately P37,243.50 [1].

• Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)

PUP is recognized as one of the most affordable universities in the country while maintaining competitive programs in engineering, mass communication, and accountancy. Similar to UP, tuition is free for eligible students. The non-subsidized rate is exceptionally low at P12.00 per unit, making a full semester cost just over P250 in tuition [4].

Private Universities

• Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU)

Ateneo offers a strong liberal arts foundation combined with rigorous professional programs. The estimated tuition and fees for a semester range from P128,194 to P143,501, depending on the academic year and specific program. This includes a base tuition for 20 units, basic fees, and other miscellaneous charges [2] [4].

• De La Salle University (DLSU)

Operating on a trimester system, DLSU requires students to pay tuition three times a year. The cost per trimester for freshmen ranges from P71,000 to P102,000. The tuition per unit varies between P3,398 and P4,053, depending on the college, making the annual cost one of the highest in the country [3] [4].

• University of Santo Tomas (UST)

UST, the oldest university in Asia, charges between P60,000 and P120,000 per semester. Programs in the health sciences and architecture tend to be on the higher end of this spectrum due to laboratory and specialized equipment fees [3] [4].

Specialized and Accessible Private Institutions

• Mapúa University

Mapúa is a top choice for engineering and IT students. It utilizes a quarter system, with tuition fees ranging from P35,000 to P70,000 per term. This structure results in an estimated annual cost of P140,000 to P280,000 [4].

• Far Eastern University (FEU) and University of the East (UE)

Both FEU and UE offer a wide range of programs at mid-tier pricing. FEU's semester fees range from P53,898 to P99,930 [4], while UE charges between P45,000 and P65,000 per semester, with programs like Dentistry commanding higher fees [5].

• National University (NU) and Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP).

For students seeking more affordable private education, NU and TIP present excellent options. NU's estimated semester cost is between P25,000 and P30,000 [4]. TIP, known for its engineering and computing programs, charges approximately P38,000 per semester [8].

Conclusion

The landscape of higher education in Metro Manila offers diverse options catering to various financial capacities and academic interests. While state universities provide high-quality education at little to no cost for eligible students, private institutions offer specialized programs and modern facilities at a premium. Prospective students and their families must carefully consider not only the tuition fees but also the academic calendar, program requirements, and available financial aid when selecting a university.

References

1. Preview.ph. "How Much It Costs to Study at the Top Philippine Universities." https://www.preview.ph/culture/top-universities-philippines-tuition-fees-a5158-20250311 

2. Ateneo de Manila University. "Tuition and Fees." http://www.ateneo.edu/college/tuition-fees 

3. Preview.ph. "How Much It Costs to Study at the Top Philippine Universities." https://www.preview.ph/culture/top-universities-philippines-tuition-fees-a5158-20250311 

4. Home Credit Philippines. "Tuition Fees in the Philippines: What to Expect from Top Schools (2026)." https://www.homecredit.ph/stories/tuition-fees-in-the-philippines 

5. UE Student Portal. "myUE Login, Tuition & Schedule (2026)." https://studentportal.ph/ue/ 

6. Centro Escolar University. "1st SEMESTER, SY 2026-2027 (MANILA)." https://admission2.ceu.edu.ph/summary-fees-freshmen-%E2%80%93-1st-semester-sy-2026-2027-manila 

7. Reddit. "miriam college GAD tuition fee!" https://www.reddit.com/r/CollegeAdmissionsPH/comments/1k2e5do/miriam_college_gad_tuition_fee/ 

8. EduRank. "Technological Institute of the Philippines: Statistics." https://edurank.org/uni/technological-institute-of-the-philippines/