Top Engineering Schools in the Philippines

Engineering might be one of the hardest fields to study, but it belongs among the most in-demand ones. With our increasing reliance on technology, engineering remains more relevant than ever. Our fast-paced world needs more engineers; and developing countries such as ours would definitely benefit from more from them. Nation-building and progress require more innovative engineers at the forefront.

Aspiring engineers would want to get as high quality of education as possible in universities that are also affordable and accessible depending on their income and location situation. Fortunately, the country now has multiple universities with engineering courses that are accredited with the Center of Excellence (COE) and Center of Development (COD) by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

The list below includes three universities offering multiple engineering undergraduate courses each from different places in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Their accreditations from CHED as of May 8, 2018 are also listed to determine the engineering courses that they specialize in. 

LUZON

1. Mapua University (Manila)

Leading the list with seven COE accreditations in engineering is Mapua University in Manila. It is one of the top Asian universities, entering the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings in 2019. Aside from engineering, it is also known for its computing programs. The university has already produced more than 360 top-notchers in 11 professional licensure examinations since 2000. Below is the list of engineering undergraduate courses they currently offer:

• Civil Engineering – COE
• Computer Engineering – COE
• Electrical Engineering – COE
• Electronics Engineering – COE
• Industrial Engineering – COE
• Sanitary Engineering – COE
• Mechanical Engineering – COE
• Biological Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Construction Engineering and Management
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Materials Engineering – BS in Physics
• Geological Science & Engineering

2. University of the Philippines Diliman (Quezon City)

The University of the Philippines Diliman, located at Quezon City offers the most comprehensive engineering curricula in the country. It boasts four COE accreditations in their engineering courses. Their engineering department also has the highest concentration of faculty members with Ph.D. Moreover, its faculty members also offer extension services through its research and extension centers such as the National Engineering Center. Below is the list of engineering undergraduate courses they currently offer:

• Chemical Engineering – COE
• Electrical Engineering – COE
• Geodetic Engineering – COE
• Mechanical Engineering – COE
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Computer Engineering
• Electronics Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Mining Engineering

3. University of the Philippines Los Baños (Laguna)

The Los Baños campus of the University of the Philippines prides itself on the agro-industrial development of our country, marked by two COE accreditations, one of which is in Agricultural Engineering. UPLB implements extension projects helpful in the engineering community, especially in the local equipment and development of manufacturers and farmers. Below is the list of engineering undergraduate courses they currently offer:

• Agricultural Engineering – COE
• Chemical Engineering – COE
• Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

VISAYAS

1. Central Philippines University (Western Visayas)

In Jaro, Iloilo City, Central Philippines University has been producing top engineers in the country, particularly in its three COD-accredited courses. It is not only an engineering university, as it has also produced notable alumni in three branches of the government, corporate, and academe.

• Chemical Engineering – COD
• Electrical Engineering – COD
• Electronics Engineering – COD
• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Packaging Engineering
• Software Engineering

2. Visayas State University (Eastern Visayas) 

In the Visayas side, Visayas State University is the school that specializes in agriculture, highlighted by it’s one COE-accredited course in Agricultural Engineering. It has a total land area of 1,004 hectares extending from the shores of Camote Sea to the top of Mt. Pangasugan.

• Agricultural Engineering – COE
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Geodetic Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

3. Silliman University (Central Visayas)

It may not have a COE or COD-accredited courses, but Silliman University has a great reputation in engineering internationally as well. The university serves as home to hundreds of international students from all over the world. It is also a powerhouse when it comes to science and technology courses. 

• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

MINDANAO

1. Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (Iligan)

Ever since the university’s foundation, MSU-IIT has excelled in the field of science and technology and engineering. It has also been successfully integrating cultural communities in national development–the only university in the country doing so–for a better Mindanao. And it shows how prestigious its engineering programs are, having 2 COE and 5 COD accredited programs under its belt.

• Electronics Engineering – COE
• Mechanical Engineering – COE
• Ceramic Engineering – COD
• Civil Engineering – COD
• Chemical Engineering – COD
• Electrical Engineering – COD
• Metallurgical Engineering – COD

2. Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan (Cagayan de Oro)

The private and sectarian Xavier University is not only known to be a Catholic and Jesuit Community; it also offers extensive engineering programs, four of which have been accredited as COD. It may be a religious university, but engineering remains to be one of the university’s strengths, especially for the Mindanaoans. 

• Chemical Engineering – COD
• Civil Engineering – COD
• Electronics Engineering – COD
• Mechanical Engineering – COD
• Electrical Engineering 
• Industrial Engineering

3. University of Mindanao (Davao)

The University of Mindanao is accredited with three COD engineering programs. Being the largest private university Mindanao with 10 campuses, it also offers the highest number of degree programs at Southern University. 

• Computer Engineering – COD
• Electrical Engineering – COD
• Mechanical Engineering – COD
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electronics Engineering

The Philippines is home to several universities that offer a wide range of world-class engineering education. As a third-world country, it is about time that the country invests more in producing top engineers for national industrialization and development. 

Know more about the top universities in Visayas, Mindanao, and even abroad for further studies. Find out other top engineering universities in the country too, along with those accredited by CHED.