Record-high: 121 PH universities ranked in 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

Marking a historic achievement for the country’s higher education sector and placing the Philippines at the top among Southeast Asian nations, a total of 121 Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) have made it to the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

- BY MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

The latest impact rankings, released on June 18, showed the Philippines ranked among global leaders in university participation.

With 121 universities ranked, the Philippines now ranks third globally—behind only India (147) and Pakistan (126)—in the number of participating institutions.

The total more than doubled from last year’s 56, reflecting a rapid and sustained commitment among Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) to contribute to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Impact Rankings, now in its sixth year, evaluate universities based on their performance in areas such as research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching aligned with the SDGs.