Autonomous, deregulated private universities and colleges increases to 92 —CHED

The Commission on Higher Education says 18 more private higher education institutions were granted autonomous status

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said Tuesday, September 24, that there are now 92 private colleges and universities in the country which have an “autonomous and deregulated status,” a privilege they will keep until September 2027.

Boosting this number was CHED’s granting autonomous status to 18 private higher education institutions (PHEIs).

The CHED statement said private HEIs or colleges and universities conferred with “autonomous status have top-quality education and consistently excellent program results. They often have many accredited programs and are recognized for leadership in education. CHED gives them the most freedom to manage and innovate their academic programs.”

As for those bearing the deregulated status, CHED these colleges and universities “also meet high standards and show strong performance and good program results, with several accredited programs and Centers of Excellence or Development.”

The private HEIs which were bestowed autonomous status for the first time were:

1. Panpacific University, Inc.
2. Saint Mary’s University
3. First City Providential College
4. Our Lady of Fatima University-Antipolo Campus
5. Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite
6. STI West Negros University
7. Xavier University – Ateneo De Cagayan
8. Notre Dame of Marbel University
9. FEU Institute of Technology
10. Far Eastern University -Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation
11. Manila Central University

Those whose status were upgraded from deregulated to autonomous were:

1. Saint Louis College
2. La Consolacion University Philippines
3. St. Dominic College of Asia
4. University of the Visayas-Main
5. UM Tagum College
6. Cor Jesu College
7. Notre Dame of Dadiangas University

Maintaining their deregulated status were:

1. Northwestern University, Inc.
2. University of Perpetual Help System DALTA- Calamba
3. University of San Agustin
4. Filamer Christian University
5. San Beda University
6. The Philippine Women’s University – Manila

Meanwhile, those which maintained their autonomous status were:

1. St. Paul University Philippines
2. Angeles University Foundation
3. Baliuag University
4. Centro Escolar University – Malolos
5. Holy Angel University
6. Wesleyan University-Philippines
7. Lyceum of the Philippines University- Batangas
8. Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
9. Adventist University of the Philippines
10. Colegio De San Juan De Letran- Calamba
11. Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
12. Mapua Malayan Colleges Laguna
13. Saint Michael’s College of Laguna
14. University of Batangas
15. University of Perpetual Help System- Laguna
16. Ateneo de Naga University
17. John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University- Arevalo
18. John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation Bacolod
19. University of St. La Salle Bacolod
20. Central Philippine University
21. John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University- Molo
22. Cebu Institute of Technology University
23. Silliman University
24. University of San Carlos
25. University of San Jose Recoletos
26. Misamis University
27. Capitol University
28. UM Digos College
29. University of the Immaculate Conception
30. University of Mindanao
31. Ateneo de Davao University
32. Saint Louis University
33. University of Baguio
34. University of Cordilleras
35. Adamson University
36. Asia Pacific College
37. Ateneo de Manila University
38. Centro Escolar University – Makati
39. Centro Escolar University – Manila
40. De La Salle University
41. De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, Inc.
42. Emilio Aguinaldo College
43. Far Eastern University
44. Jose Rizal University
45. Lyceum of the Philippines University
46. Mapua University – Manila
47. Miriam College
48. National University
49. Our Lady of Fatima University – Valenzuela
50. Our Lady of Fatima University – Quezon City
51. Southville International School and Colleges
52. St. Paul University Manila
53. Technological Institute of the Philippines – Manila
54. Technological Institute of the Philippines – Quezon City
55. Trinity University of Asia
56. University of Asia and the Pacific
57. University of Perpetual Help System DALTA- Las Piñas
58. University of Santo Tomas
59. University of the East – Manila

The CHED said it conducted a comprehensive evaluation from 2019-2023 “focusing on the educational effectiveness of the PHEIs including student performance in professional board examinations, employability rates, and the alignment of curricula with industry demands.”

“The new guidelines include global partnerships and international engagement with top universities all over the world. As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, CHED will ensure that Philippine HEIs remain competitive on both national and global scales,” CHED Secretary Popoy De Vera said.

“The 77 autonomous private universities represent the best of the best among our higher educational institutions, producing world-class graduates and are included in international rankings. I urge other private universities to benchmark and emulate the programs and practices of these top universities,” De Vera said.

Both autonomous and deregulated colleges and universities are free to design their  curriculum; establish links with recognized foreign HEIs; priority in the grant of subsidies and other financial incentives or assistance from CHED; are exempted from regular CHED monitoring and evaluation; and exempted from the issuance of Special Order for their graduates. 

Autonomous HEIs “also have the privilege to open new programs without securing prior CHED approval.” – Rappler.com