A record 121 universities from the country have earned spots in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings—more than double last year’s total and the highest number from any Southeast Asian nation.
The achievement places the Philippines just behind India and Pakistan globally, signaling a growing resolve among its institutions to align academic missions with the world’s most urgent challenges, from climate action to quality education.
Ateneo de Manila leads the local pack once again, rising into the 101–200 global tier. But state colleges, regional universities and private institutions across the archipelago are increasingly stepping into the sustainability spotlight, signaling a shift in purpose.
Tied in second among local institutions are Batangas State University, Isabela State University, and the University of the Philippines, all placed within the 401–600 band.
Rounding out the country’s top three is the University of Santo Tomas (UST), which maintained a steady presence in the 601–800 range, marking its fifth consecutive year in the global rankings. UST shares this bracket with several regional public institutions, including Caraga State University, Ifugao State University, and Leyte Normal University.
State colleges, regional universities and private institutions across the archipelago are increasingly stepping into the sustainability spotlight, signaling a shift in priorities and purpose.
A total of 11 universities placed in the 801–1000 bracket, marking them as fourth among Philippine institutions. These include the Benguet State University, Bukidnon State University, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Central Luzon State University, De La Salle University, Kalinga State University, Mapúa University, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, and Southern Luzon State University.
A total of 2,526 universities from 130 countries and regions participated in the 2025 edition. To be ranked, an institution must report data for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and at least three other SDGs. Scores are weighted to emphasize both the breadth and depth of sustainability initiatives, with SDG 17 accounting for 22% and the top three highest-scoring SDGs each contributing 26%.