CHED grants autonomous, deregulated status to 92 private schools

Ninety-two private higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country have been granted a three-year autonomous and deregulated status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

According to CHED, HEIs with autonomous status have “top-quality education and consistently excellent program results,” often have many accredited programs, and are recognized for leadership in education.

The commission gives them the most freedom to manage and innovate their academic programs.

Deregulated HEIs, meanwhile, also meet high standards and show “strong performance and good program results,” with several accredited programs and Centers of Excellence or Development.

Both autonomous and deregulated HEIs are allowed significant freedom to design their curriculum, establish linkages with recognized foreign HEIs, and get priority in the grant of subsidies and other financial incentives or assistance from CHED.

They are also exempted from regular CHED monitoring and evaluation, as well as from the issuance of Special Order for their graduates.

Autonomous HEIs specifically have the privilege to open new programs without securing prior CHED approval.

Based on CHED Memorandum Order No. 07 s. 2024, signed by CHED chairman Prospero de Vera III, the following HEIs have autonomous and deregulated status from September 16, 2024 to September 15, 2027:

Autonomous status

• Panpacific University, Inc.
• Saint Louis College
• Saint Mary’s University
• St. Paul University Philippines
• Angeles University Foundation
• Baliuag University
• Centro Escolar University Malolos
• First City Providential College
• Holy Angel University
• La Consolacion University Philippines
• Wesleyan University- Philippines
• Adventist University of the Philippines
• Colegio De San Juan De Letran- Calamba
• Lyceum of the Philippines- Laguna, Inc.
• Lyceum of the Philippines University- Batangas, Inc.
• Lyceum of the Philippines University- Cavite  
• Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
• Mapua Malayan Colleges- Laguna
• Our Lady of Fatima Universit - Antipolo Campus
• Saint Michael's College of Laguna
• St. Dominic College of Asia, Inc.
• University of Batangas
• University of Perpetual Help System- Laguna
• Ateneo de Naga University
• Central Philippine University
• John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation- Bacolod, Inc.
• John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University- Arevalo, Inc.
• John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University- Molo, Inc.
• STI West Negros University
• University of St. La Salle Bacolod
• Cebu Institute of Technology University
• Silliman University
• University of San Carlos
• University of San Jose Recoletos
• University of Visayas- Main
• Capitol University
• Misamis University
• University of the Immaculate Conception
• Ateneo de Davao University
• Cor Jesu College, Inc.
• The University of Mindanao
• UM Digos College
• UM Tagum College
• University of the Immaculate Conception
• Notre Dame Dadiangas University
• Notre Dame Marbel University
• Saint Louis University
• University of Baguio
• University of Cordilleras
• Adamson University
• Asia Pacific College
• Ateneo de Manila University
• Centro Escolar University- Makati
• Centro Escolar University- Manila
• De La Salle University
• De La Salle- College of Saint Benilde, Inc.
• Emilio Aguinaldo College
• Far Eastern University
• Far Eastern University- Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation
• FEU Institute of Technology
• Jose Rizal University
• Lyceum of the Philippines University
• Manila Central University
• Mapua University
• Miriam College
• National University
• Our Lady of Fatima University- Quezon City
• Our Lady of Fatima University- Valenzuela
• Southville International School and Colleges
• St. Paul University Manila
• Technological Institute of the Philippines- Manila
• Technological Institute of the Philippines- Quezon City
• Trinity University of Asia
• University of Asia and the Pacific
• University of Perpetual Help System DALTA- Las Piñas
• University of Santo Tomas
• University of the East- Manila

Deregulated status

• Lyceum- Northwestern University
• Northwestern University, Inc.
• De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute
• Emilio Aguinaldo College- Cavite
• University of Perpetual Help System DALTA- Calamba Campus
• Filamer Christian University
• University of Negros Occidental- Recoletos
• University of San Agustin
• Saint Paul University Dumaguete
• Ateneo De Zamboanga University
• Liceo De Cagayan University
• Colegio De San Juan De Letran
• Philippine Women’s University
• San Beda University
• University of the East- Caloocan

De Vera said that the 77 autonomous private HEIs “represent the best of the best among our higher educational institutions.”

“[They produce] 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,” he said in a statement.

A comprehensive evaluation was also conducted by CHED from 2019 to 2023, focusing on the educational effectiveness of the private HEIs.

It included 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,” De Vera added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News