Studying in the Philippines 2026

The Philippines has 117 universities, including Adamson University and several Ateneo campuses. For a student arriving in 2026, the main questions are how classes are organized, where to live, and what daily life looks like in English and local languages.

Cost of living → Working & jobs →

The country’s university list includes Adamson University, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, and Aquinas University. That gives incoming students a range of options across different cities and university types.

Living costs are lower than in the US: the price level in 2023 was 39% of the US level. That makes budgeting easier to compare before arrival, especially when planning housing, food, and other everyday expenses.

The first term is usually the time to get used to campus routines, local transport, and the paperwork a university asks for after arrival. It is also when students settle into housing and learn how classes, group work, and student services are handled at their chosen university.

For daily life, students should expect to hear English alongside local languages, depending on the city and campus. Many international students use the first term to learn how people communicate on campus and in everyday errands, while keeping close contact with their university for practical support.