Whether you are an undergraduate or a postgraduate student, the Philippines can be an affordable place to further your studies. The country’s education system has been shaped by Spanish and American influences, and English remains widely used in education, including higher education. As a result, international students can find many programs and campus services offered in English.
Tertiary education in the Philippines is part of a tri-focalized education system: the Commission on Higher Education oversees higher education, while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority manages technical education and skills development. Students can also find programs in fields such as pilot training, English language study, and medical-related programs.
If you are still not sure about your university of choice, we are here for you! In this article, we will focus on universities in the Philippines that third-party education directories report as having relatively high acceptance rates. Since Philippine universities do not consistently publish official acceptance rates, treat the numbers below as estimates and confirm admission requirements directly with each university.
Universities in the Philippines with High Rates of Acceptance
1. University of Mindanao
The University of Mindanao was founded as Mindanao Colleges in 1946 in Davao City, Philippines. It is the largest private, non-sectarian university in Mindanao, with ten branches spread across thirteen campuses in Southern Mindanao. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields. Some of the courses offered at the institution include Accountancy, Information Technology, and Computer Engineering, all of which are regarded as Centers of Development. Its Centers of Excellence include Teacher Education, Business Administration, and Criminology.
It is committed to open education and notes that it welcomes learners without entrance examinations or barriers to admission. This helps explain why third-party directories report a high estimated acceptance rate, though applicants should still check the latest admissions requirements.
2. Holy Angel University
Holy Angel University is a private Catholic university in Angeles City and one of the biggest schools in Central Luzon. It was established in 1933 by Juan D. Nepomuceno as Holy Angel Academy, became Holy Angel College in 1961, and attained university status on December 4, 1981. Third-party directories estimate its acceptance rate at 90 – 99.
3. Universidad de Zamboanga
The next university in the Philippines with a high estimated acceptance rate is the Universidad de Zamboanga. The university traces its origins to 1948 and is based in Zamboanga City. Its campuses include the Main, City, High School, Institute of Human Kinetics, Pasonanca, Ipil, and Pagadian campuses. The university’s schools and colleges include Allied Medicine, Education, Arts and Sciences, Business and Management, Criminal Justice Education, Engineering, Information Technology, and Technical Education.
4. Lyceum of the Philippines University
Located in Manila, Philippines, Lyceum of the Philippines University is a private, non-sectarian institution founded in 1952 by former Philippine President Dr. José P. Laurel. It can be a strong option for students interested in international relations, tourism and hospitality, business, and communication-related programs. In addition to Manila, LPU has campuses and affiliated institutions in other parts of the Philippines.
5. De La Salle Lipa
Another university in the Philippines with a high estimated acceptance rate is De La Salle Lipa, located in Lipa City, Batangas. This private Catholic Lasallian institution opened classes on June 6, 1962. Its higher-education offerings include fields such as Nursing, Information Technology and Engineering, International Hospitality and Tourism Management, Law, and Business-related programs.
Are you interested in joining De La Salle Lipa? Third-party directories estimate the university’s acceptance rate at 70 – 79%.
6. Mapúa University
Formerly known as Mapúa Institute of Technology, Mapúa University was renamed after gaining university status in 2017. It was founded in 1925 by Don Tomás Mapúa, who was the first registered architect in the Philippines. The university is well known for engineering, architecture, and technology-focused programs, and it also offers programs in fields such as computer science, multimedia and digital arts, psychology, business, health sciences, and media studies.
Third-party directories estimate Mapúa University’s acceptance rate at 60 – 69%, so admissions are best described as moderately selective rather than broadly open.
7. University of Southeastern Philippines
This public regional state university was created in 1978 through Batas Pambansa Bilang 12 and is headquartered in Davao City. Its current campuses include Obrero, Mintal, Tagum-Mabini, and the Malabog Extension Campus. It offers undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate programs in fields including engineering, education, arts and sciences, economics, business, computing, governance, development, resource management, technology, agriculture, forestry, accountancy, law, and medicine.
Are you looking to study at the University of Southeastern Philippines? Third-party directories estimate its acceptance rate at 60 – 69%.
8. Manuel L. Quezon University
Located in Quezon City, Manuel L. Quezon University offers senior high school, undergraduate, law, and graduate programs. It began in 1947 as a law school, was originally named Manuel L. Quezon Educational Institution, and became Manuel L. Quezon University in 1958. The university officially moved to Quezon City in 2016.
To be accepted at MLQU, applicants need to meet the admissions requirements for their chosen program. Third-party directories estimate its acceptance rate at 40 – 49%, but official rates are not published consistently, so this should be used as a rough guide only.
There is no centralized official publication of acceptance rates for Philippine universities that covers international students. The rates above are third-party estimates and may vary by program, applicant type, citizenship or residency, and year. Always verify admission requirements with the admissions office.
FAQs: Studying in the Philippines
What Philippine Universities Are Easiest to Get Into?
The University of Mindanao, Holy Angel University, and Universidad de Zamboanga are often listed by third-party education directories as among the less selective options in the Philippines. However, because official acceptance rates are not consistently published, applicants should treat these estimates as general guidance and focus on meeting each university’s admission requirements.
More than these universities, you’ll have a lot of options. In the article above, we listed universities in the Philippines that have relatively high estimated acceptance rates. Make sure to read more!
Are Programs in the Philippines Taught in English?
Yes, many programs in the Philippines use English as a medium of instruction. Filipino and English are official languages for communication and instruction, and Philippine policy encourages higher education institutions to adopt English as the primary medium of instruction at the tertiary level. Students should still check the language of instruction for their chosen program.
In conclusion, many universities in the Philippines are moderately selective, while some are reported by third-party directories as less selective. International and domestic applicants can improve their chances by submitting complete requirements before the deadline and checking program-specific criteria.
We hope that this article on universities in the Philippines with high acceptance rates was helpful. You can check out the Philippines Page and sample some of the Available Programs for International Students if you are interested in studying abroad.
