Aside from the esteemed Catanduanes State University right here in Virac, the Philippines has 1,975 colleges and universities, including 112 state universities and colleges — not to mention 121 local public universities and colleges. Most of the remainder are private.
While there are many to choose from, the choice of university is one of the most consequential decisions a young Catanduganon will make.
This decision shapes careers, friendships, and life trajectories for decades to come.
Yet many families make the decision based on little more than a university’s name recognition or proximity to home. With a little advice, you can do better.
Before you fall in love with the acacia-lined avenues of the University of the Philippines — or the venerable old campus of the University of Santo Tomas — clarify what you want to study.
The Commission on Higher Education recognizes and rates hundreds of degree programs, and quality varies significantly from school to school — even at well-known institutions.
For example, a university that excels in engineering may have a mediocre nursing program, and vice versa.
Check whether the program you want holds a Center of Excellence or Center of Development designation from CHED. This is awarded to programs that consistently meet high academic standards, and it is a reliable sign of quality.
In addition to CHED oversight, Philippine universities are accredited by one or more accrediting bodies. (See sidebar.)
Accreditation is voluntary, which means that its absence is a red flag.
Look for schools with at least Level II accreditation for your chosen program. Level III and Level IV programs have met even more rigorous standards.
For licensed professions — medicine, nursing, engineering, law, accountancy — board examination passing rates are another measure of quality. The Professional Regulation Commission publishes school-by-school results after every licensure examination.
A school that consistently places in the top 10 sends a clear message about the quality of its instruction. Do not skip this step. A school’s ranking is publicly available data that families rarely consult.
As for costs, tuition at private universities in Metro Manila can run from ₱50,000 to more than ₱200,000 per semester, while state universities and local colleges are heavily subsidized or nearly free.
A big question is not just what you can afford today, but what you can sustain across four or five years of university education without forcing your family into debt.
CatSU is not free, but the tuition is low.
A graduate from a reputable provincial state university with zero debt is often better positioned than one from a prestigious private school burdened by loans. For scholarships, explore the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education.
Locally, CatSU has 29 bachelor’s degree programs, 13 master’s degree programs and two doctoral degree programs. The numbers change from year to year as programs are added and deleted.
As of December 2019, 100 percent of CatSU’s 39 undergraduate and graduate programs had been evaluated by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines, with 28 either accredited or re-accredited at Level I–III and 11 in candidate status, according to the online news site Rappler.
According to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, CatSU is ranked No. 8 in the Philippines and No. 481 in the world for United Nations sustainable development goals — to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity.
Additionally, CatSU has two programs with official CHED distinction.
CatSU’s College of Education has been designated by CHED as a Center of Development, and it has been granted Level III Re-Accredited Status by the AACCUP for its Bachelor of Elementary Education and Bachelor of Secondary Education programs. This is arguably the university’s strongest credentialed program.
Also, CatSU was accorded the status of Center of Development in Business Administration by CHED.
So, if someone asks about CatSU in terms of CHED-recognized program distinction, teacher education and business administration are the answers.
As for nursing, CatSU’s “special distinctions” page lists a ranking of 25th best nursing school in the Philippines out of 514 nursing schools, based on Local Pulse School Rankings in 2018, the last year for which rankings are available. And local nursing students place in top ranks in nursing licensure exams.
The Professional Regulatory Commission has also recognized CatSU as the top, second, or third best performing school in the Midwifery Board Examination across multiple years, 2005–2011.
As for campus culture in general, no brochure or website captures this important aspect of university life. If allowed, you should attend open houses, sit in on a class, and talk to current students.
You should visit the campus of a prospective school before making a decision. Ask about class sizes, faculty availability, library and laboratory facilities, and internet connectivity.
Aside from top-tier universities where competition is fierce, most universities do not require entrance exams, but this policy varies from school to school.
Studying far from home is formative, but it introduces real costs and stress. If a student is prone to homesickness or has health considerations, proximity to family may outweigh the prestige of a distant school.
Conversely, some students thrive only when removed from distractions of the home environment. There is no universal answer — an honest conversation within the family is recommended.
Bryce McIntyre, PhD, resides in San Andres. He holds a doctoral degree from Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA, and taught at six universities.
Claude AI was employed in research for this article.