THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas made its debut as the fourth-best school among Philippine private universities in the AppliedHE Private University Ranking: All Asia 2026.
In the assessment’s new expanded edition, UST ranked 56th out of 240 private educational institutions with a score of 49.38 points.
Ateneo de Manila University claimed the top spot among private institutions in the country after placing 33rd overall and earning 55.42 points. De La Salle University (51.54) followed at 46th, while Adamson University trailed at 53rd with 50.28.
The schools were evaluated across six areas: teaching and learning (40%), employability (20%), research (10%), community engagement (10%), internationalization (10%), and institutional reputation (10%).
This year’s edition took a wider approach compared to previous years, which only focused on ASEAN universities, by including institutions across Asia.
“In the previous two editions, the ranking was limited to universities from the ASEAN region. With this year’s edition, we have expanded our coverage to include institutions from the entire All Asia region, reflecting a broader and more inclusive approach,” AppliedHE said on its website.
A total of 39 Philippine private universities appeared in the All Asia 2026 ranking, with 12 having not been included in the 2024 and 2025 ASEAN editions.
The rest of the local schools landed below the top 100. The University of the East ranked fifth (122nd) among Philippine private schools, followed by the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (124th), Mapúa University (125th), University of San Carlos (129th), Saint Louis University (132nd) and Southville International School and Colleges (134th).
Other included Philippine schools did not receive scores and were ranked by brackets:
Adventist University of the Philippines, Republic Central Colleges and Jose Rizal University landed within the 151-170 bracket.
Placing within the 171-190 range were Central Philippine University, Manila Central University, Ateneo de Davao University, Far Eastern University, University of Mindanao, Silliman University and Saint Mary’s University.
Included in the 191-200 bracket were the University of the Immaculate Conception, Centro Escolar University, University of the Visayas, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, San Pedro College and University of Baguio.
The following schools placed within the 201-220 range: La Consolacion University, University of Saint Louis, Trinity University of Asia, First City Providential College, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, Baliuag University, University of Perpetual Help System Laguna, Holy Name University, Holy Cross of Davao College and Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation.
Meanwhile, Holy Angel University, Lyceum -Northwestern University and Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges fell within the 221-240 bracket.
Universities that submit data are classified as “reporting” and have more precise rankings. Those that do not submit data are “non-reporting” and are ranked using public information or estimates, which can result in lower placement.
The University of Yonsei was named the best private university in Asia with a score of 72.09. It was followed by fellow South Korean universities Sungkyunkwan University (68.39), Korea University (68.06) and Hanyang University (68.04) and Waseda University of Japan (68.02).
Established in 2021, Singapore-based AppliedHE compiles higher educational institutions’ rankings to provide students, parents and other stakeholders with an independent benchmark for universities. The survey aims to assess private universities across all of Asia.F
