More than 80 universities and colleges from the Philippines landed in the prestigious WURI 2025 Global Top 400 Innovative Universities ranking released by the World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI).
The global ranking evaluates how universities solve real-world challenges through innovation, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility. In the 2025 edition, Urdaneta City University emerged as the highest-ranked Philippine school, placing 44th globally.
The Philippines’ rise in the 2025 rankings follows its strong showing last year—when 65 universities made it to the WURI Global Top 300 for innovation.
Also breaking into the Top 100 were:
- St. Paul University Philippines (Rank #66)
- Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation (FEU-NRMF) (Rank #73)
- Southern Leyte State University (Rank #78)
- Cebu Normal University – Main (Rank #81)
- Mariano Marcos State University (Rank #89)
- Tarlac Agricultural University (Rank #93)
- Samar State University (Rank #98)
The Commission on Higher Education’s social media proudly shared the WURI results for the Philippines:
Ranked among #101–#200 are:
- Central Philippines State University (#105)
- Southville International School and Colleges (#105)
- Batangas State University (#111)
- Cordillera Career Development College (#124)
- University of Baguio (#134)
- Saint Louis University (#137)
- University of the Cordilleras (#140)
- University of Eastern Philippines (#143)
- Lyceum of the Philippines University – Cavite (#145)
- Philippine Normal University (#168)
- University of Santo Tomas (#196), among others.
This WURI achievement adds to a banner year for Filipino academia—with a record number of Philippine universities also listed in the 2025 edition of The World University Rankings.
Additional universities from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao populated the rankings up to #400, including:
- Manila Central University (#352)
- University of Luzon (#288)
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines (#250)
- Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (#286)
- University of Perpetual Help System DALTA – Calamba, Las Piñas, and Laguna Campuses
- Mindanao State University – General Santos and Naawan
- University of the Visayas, Inc. (#375)
- Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (#312)
- Bohol Island State University, University of Antique, and University of Eastern Pangasinan (#398)
Altogether, the list features a diverse range of state universities, private institutions, and regional colleges that demonstrate innovation and real-world impact across the country.
The inclusion of many regional schools in the WURI 2025 list confirms the reach and relevance of innovation in Philippine higher education.
“WURI highlights creative and innovative approaches to education, research, and service that impact society,” according to the WURI organizing committee.
“WURI does not look at reputation, but rather at innovation that creates real impact.”
The rankings were published on June 7, 2025, by the Institute for Policy and Strategy on National Competitiveness (IPSNC), in cooperation with the Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU) and other global institutions.
Want more Good School stories about education, innovation, and Filipino excellence? Read more inspiring stories from Philippine universities on GoodNewsPilipinas.com
Join our vibrant Good News Pilipinas community, where we celebrate the achievements of the Philippines and Filipinos worldwide! As the Philippines’ No. 1 Website for Good News and proud winners of the Gold Anvil Award and Lasallian Scholarum Award, we invite you to connect, engage, and share your inspiring stories with us. Together, let’s shine a spotlight on the stories that make every Filipino proud. Follow us on all platforms through our LinkTree. Let’s spread good news and positivity, one story at a time!
