Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) led the six Philippine universities included in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings—an annual global ranking of research-intensive universities.

The rankings, published by London-based THE, evaluated 929 universities across 36 countries using 18 performance indicators covering teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry engagement.

“These rankings affirm that Philippine higher education institutions are steadily gaining ground in the global academic community. More importantly, they highlight the growing commitment of our universities to quality, transparency, and international engagement,” CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis said in a statement on Wednesday, April 29.

ADMU led the Philippine entries, placing in the 501–600 bracket.

De La Salle University, Mapúa University, University of Santo Tomas, and University of the Philippines followed in the 601–800 bracket.

Meanwhile, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology made it to the 801+ bracket.

Beyond the ranked universities, 42 other Philippine higher education institutions were listed as “Reporter” institutions, up 121 percent from the previous year.

THE classifies Reporter institutions as those that submitted data but were not assigned a rank.

These include Ateneo de Davao University, National University Philippines, Bicol University, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, Bulacan State University, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Cagayan State University, Nueva Vizcaya State University, Capitol University, Pangasinan State University, Caraga State University–Ampayon Campus, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Cebu Technological University, Quezon City University, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Saint Louis University, Central Luzon State University, Sorsogon State University, Central Mindanao Colleges, Southern Luzon State University, City College of San Fernando Pampanga, Tarlac Agricultural University, De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, University of Eastern Pangasinan, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, University of Eastern Philippines, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, Gordon College, University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao, Guimaras State University, University of San Agustin, Leyte Normal University, University of San Carlos, Lyceum-Northwestern University, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Manila Central University, University of Southeastern Philippines, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna, University of the Immaculate Conception, Marinduque State University, and Visayas State University.