Trisha Anne Segumban

Manila placed 88th in the 2026 edition of the QS Best Student Cities Rankings, according to international higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). 

Photo Courtesy of Martin Dizon/THE FLAME.

The annual ranking evaluates cities based on student-friendliness, academic reputation, affordability, employer activity, and student experience. 

Manila received an overall score of 63.9 and earned the highest rating in affordability at 85.3, which measures tuition fees and cost of living for students. 

“Affordability remains one of Manila’s strongest suits,” QS stated in its report. 

QS reported that this makes the city an attractive option for students in Southeast Asia. 

Manila scored 68.4 in employer activity, which gauges how employers view the quality of local university graduates. 

The capital also garnered a 57 in student view, which measures the satisfaction of the student and the city’s sustainability. 

Meanwhile, the city earned a 37.2 in desirability and a 31.2 in student mix, which reflects the proportion of students in the overall population. 

The university rankings indicator presented that Manila scored 35.2, with six local universities featured in the QS World Rankings 2026. 

University of the Philippines (UP) placed 362nd, while Ateneo de Manila University placed 511st, as De La Salle University placed 654th. 

Moreover, the University of Santo Tomas was placed under the 851st-900th bracket, Adamson University in the 1,001st-1,200th, while Mapua University is in the 1,401st. 

“Having six universities in the global list shows the improving performance of Philippine higher education institutions,” QS added. 

The QS Best Student Cities Rankings aim to guide in selecting study destinations that offer quality education and holistic student experiences.