Engineering remains one of the most lucrative subjects to study at university, with many students pursuing successful careers in various fields. In 2021, engineering roles continued to be chronically unfilled, especially in the country we’ll be talking about in this article, the Philippines. Top educational institutions in the nation offer various engineering degrees and programs open to local and international students.
Many students enter this challenging program, and thousands of engineers are produced yearly in the country. Even though this study field is considered difficult, it is straightforward to state that the education level is among the region’s best. If you are interested in starting your engineering career in the Philippines, the following top engineering universities are worth considering.
Top Schools Offering Engineering Programs in the Philippines
1. University of Santo Tomas
Located in the heart of Manilla and featuring a wonderful mix of old and new architecture, the University of Santo Tomas boasts one of the best engineering programs in the Philippines. The Faculty of Engineering offers bachelor’s degrees that cover a broad range of engineering topics, including civil, industrial, construction, and industrial engineering.
In particular, the chemical engineering course has been recognized by the Commission of Higher Education as a Centre of Excellence. Regarding the engineering licensure exams, the student body has excelled, with an average of nearly 90% passing the exam. These exams are necessary to become a licensed engineer in the Philippines, so the university’s continuous success is a testament to its academic quality.
Finally, the campus is renowned for its beauty and peaceful atmosphere. The Benavides Gardens are of particular note as they contain the Arch of the Centuries, where all students enter and will eventually leave the University of Santo Tomas.
2. De La Salle University
Located just south of the National Museum of the Philippines, De La Salle University is one of the best private universities in the Philippines for engineering and has a deserved reputation for teaching excellence. According to the Times Higher Education’s Engineering and Technology subject rankings, the Gokongwei College of Engineering itself is known for offering the best engineering programs in all of the country.
Subjects include civil, electronics, industrial, and manufacturing engineering at the bachelor’s level, with others available for master’s students. DLSU also has a strong showing in the licensing board exams, with 88% of students passing the assessment. Outside of the classroom, students attending the university can choose to join a range of clubs.
With over 60 organizations to choose from, including sports clubs, debating teams, and even a dance company, De La Salle University is brimming with opportunities for students to expand their horizons.
3. Saint Louis University
With four engineering programs recognized by the Commission of Higher Education as Centres of Development, Saint Louis University in Baguio is a leader in its field. Students wishing to study at this top engineering school in the Philippines can choose from various biomedical, civil, and mechanical engineering programs. The main campus is located in Baguio City, the Summer Capital of the Philippines.
It is also renowned for its natural beauty and vast pine forests. Students attending the campus can be sure that, alongside a quality education, they will experience the very best of the country’s culture. The annual Flower Festival, Panagbenga, is just one example, where visitors can watch floats made of flowers, traditional dances, and fireworks displays, among other activities.
4. Mapúa University
If one has their heart set on engineering, then the Mapúa University is one of the best institutions in the Philippines. The school offers perhaps the largest selection of degrees in engineering across five specialized schools on the Intramuros campus. Among these options are civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering, all of which have been recognized as Centres of Excellence by the Commission of Higher Education.
Many of these programs are accredited by ABET, meaning their quality is recognized in countries like the United States, Brazil, and South Korea. With over 50 student organizations, a campus newspaper, and its radio station, all within the historic Intramuros walled district, Mapúa is a community by itself. Outside of Intramuros lies the cultural heart of Manilla. With hundreds of restaurants, malls, parks, and museums to see, there is always something to do outside of class time.
5. Polytechnic University of the Philippines
In its current form, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines is one of the best Filipino engineering schools, having been founded in 1978. Today, it is easily the largest institution in the nation, with over 70,000 students in attendance across 22 branches. PUP is reputed for having the lowest tuition rates in the Philippines, offering courses in subjects ranging from civil to mechanical engineering.
The school is backed up by exceptional performance in licensing exams, with over 75% of students completing the exam. PUP’s student organizations are also worth mentioning. With two newspapers, over a hundred social clubs, and a politically engaged student body, it is an actual marketplace of ideas and an exciting opportunity for those who want to get involved.
The institutions listed above are not the only ones in the Philippines that offer excellent engineering programs, but they all offer something unique that we believe will make your time studying engineering as pleasant as possible.
6. Lyceum Northwestern University
Lyceum Northwestern University, or Lyceum NUP, is a private higher institution founded in 1944. It has campuses in Manila, Cavite, and Laguna and offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses. With its modern facilities, this Philippine school is regarded as one of the top engineering institutions in the country.
The university offers degrees in electronic, computer, electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering and focuses on developing future leaders who are knowledgeable, socially responsible, and committed to improving society.
7. Baliuag University
Baliuag University is the first private higher institution in the province of Bulacan. It was established in 1956 as Baliuag Junior College by Dr. Jose M. delos Santos, a former director of Philippine Normal College, and his wife, Dr. Tita delos Santos-Tolentino. Since its inception, it has been offering high-quality degree programs, including civil, computer, electronics, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering degrees.
It is one of the top-performing universities in the Philippines, consistently producing excellent students who contribute to the country’s social and economic growth.
8. Romblon State University
Romblon State University is one of the most highly regarded public universities in the Philippines. It was founded in 1958 and has provided quality education to students since then. The university has three campuses: one in Odiongan, one in Romblon, and one in Banton. It offers courses at undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as diploma programs.
The institution also provides continuing education courses for professionals who wish to upgrade their skills. It offers electrical, agricultural and biosystems, and mechanical engineering degrees. Some of its most notable facilities include metalworking and woodworking laboratories.
9. University of Cagayan Valley
The University of Cagayan Valley is a non-profit private institution with campuses in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino. Although it is one of the younger universities in the area, it has cemented its reputation for excellence through accreditations from reputable organizations. It is one of the top Filipino engineering universities that offers electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering degrees.
It was founded in 1998 by Dr. Benjamin R. Pascual with the vision of providing quality education to the people of Northern Luzon, especially those from marginalized communities in rural areas. The school has established its presence in the region through its satellite campuses in Cauayan City, Tuguegarao City, and Penablanca.
Check Also: 10 Universities in the Philippines with the Highest Acceptance Rates
10. Don Bosco Technical College
Don Bosco Technical College Philippines is a private institution of higher learning in Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It was founded on June 22, 1963, by the Salesians of Don Bosco. It is one of the country’s largest technical schools and has over 10 campuses across Metro Manila. The school mainly offers vocational courses that provide technical and professional education to its students.
However, DBTC also offers an excellent bachelor’s degree program in mechanical engineering. The college is accredited by the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), which means that the government has recognized all its programs as high-quality and meeting international standards.
11. Central Mindanao University
Central Mindanao University is a private educational institution with campuses located in Bukidnon, Davao, and Cotabato. The school offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in agricultural and biosystems, information, electrical, civil, and mechanical engineering. Founded in 1910, CMU is one of the oldest in the southern Philippines.
This higher institution started as an agricultural school but eventually expanded its range of degree programs. CMU’s mission is to provide excellent education in various fields and empower students by helping them acquire relevant knowledge, skills, and values.
12. Misamis University
Misamis University is a private higher education school located in Northern Mindanao. It was founded in 1929 by the late Dr. Gregorio Baldoza, Sr., a noted educator and one of the pioneer members of the Philippine Academy of Science and Humanities. The institution’s main campus is located in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental.
It has five other campuses: two in Ozamiz City, one in Tagoloan, one in Oroquieta City, and one seaside campus in Sta. Fe, Cagayan de Oro City. With a strong focus on technical training, MU is regarded as one of the best Filipino engineering schools. Students here can pursue undergraduate degrees in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.
13. Ateneo de Davao University
Ateneo de Davao University is a private Catholic institution in Davao City, Philippines. It is one of the top universities in the country and boasts the highest passing rates for engineering licensure exams. AdDu is also home to a sizeable international student population, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in electrical, mechanical, chemical, and computer engineering.
It also has various laboratories fitted with the latest equipment. These laboratories are continuously upgraded to ensure students can access modern industry tools and technology, helping them develop valuable skills for real-world scenarios.
14. Nueva Vizcaya State University
Nueva Vizcaya State University, established in 1953, is located in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. This higher education school is one of the top engineering universities in the Philippines and one of the oldest universities in northern Luzon. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields, including highly specialized engineering programs like geodetic engineering.
Through cutting-edge pedagogical innovation, research, extension, and entrepreneurship, the university aspires to help students prepare to become engineers. Moreover, it is home to local and international students and provides generous scholarships to deserving students.
15. Adamson University
Adamson University is one of the most prestigious universities in the country. It has an excellent reputation for its academic programs, including business, law, computer science, and engineering. This institution offers several degree programs in engineering, including chemical, mechanical, and industrial engineering programs. Students of these programs follow a five-year curriculum, which includes classroom instruction, plant visits, and internships.
FAQs: Engineering Studies in the Philippines
Can International Students Take an Engineering Program in the Philippines?
Yes! International students can enroll and take an engineering program in the Philippines. Universities in the country don’t have any nationality restrictions for admission. Make sure to meet the requirements your chosen school asks, and they may ask for further documents from your home country.
For example, they will usually ask for English proficiency examination results, such as IELTS or TOEFL. Since most of the classes in the Philippines use English as a medium of instruction, international students will be required to use it. You should know and complete the requirements before taking an engineering program in this country.
In conclusion, studying in the Philippines is a unique experience for both local and international students, as they are open to new cultures, languages, and environments from the ones they are used to. Many factors make this country attractive to learners, and most of them reside in the fact that there are quite a few cheap universities that make it more accessible for them. So, feel free to check the cost of studying and living in the Philippines to learn more.
We hope this article on the best universities to study Engineering in the Philippines was informative. To learn more about studying abroad, feel free to check out the Open Courses and Study in the Philippines pages!
