Tuition Fees: How Much to Save for Your Child's Education

Have you started saving for your child's tuition fund? If so, are you saving enough?

To say that the cost of education is expensive is an understatement. Tuition fees in the Philippines increase yearly. But that’s not the only thing you pay for—you also need to cover school-related expenses like books, uniforms, and allowances. 

As we gear up for another school year, ask yourself: How much do I really need to prepare for my child’s education?

What are the Differences Between Private and Public Schools in the Philippines?

The rising cost of education in the Philippines depends on so many factors—on your choice of school, for one. Are you planning to enroll your kid in a private or a public school? 

To help you decide, here are a few similarities and differences between public and private schools in the Philippines:

✏️ Free Tuition Fees in Public Schools

Generally speaking, parents of children attending public schools don’t need to pay tuition fees. Under Republic Act 10931 (Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act), you can send your child to any of the universities that offer free college education.

✏️ Better Facilities in Private Schools

Private schools charge tuition fees to cover the maintenance and provision of facilities. Most classrooms are air-conditioned. Many private schools also have designated computers and equipment for each child.

On the other hand, the public school system may find it hard to provide high-tech equipment due to limited funding.

✏️ Larger Class Sizes in Public Schools

Most public schools accommodate up to 65 students per classroom while private school classes are composed of up to 30 students only. Class size often matters because a small class size means teachers can better supervise and monitor their student’s progress individually.

How Much Do Tuition Fees in the Philippines Cost?

It depends on the grade level of your child. For instance, some schools charge higher tuition fees for high school compared to grade school.

Read on to get an idea of the range of tuition fees in the Philippines. Note that these are just base amounts—costs can go up or down depending on your choice of school.

Average Annual Tuition Fees in the Philippines for Private Schools

💸 Grade School: ₱30,000 to ₱100,000

Grade school in the Philippines starts from Nursery to Grade 6. Depending on the school’s location and facilities, you may need to prepare at least ₱30,000 for school fees alone. Other fees may include books, uniforms, laboratory, and miscellaneous fees, which will raise the school’s monthly charges.

Here’s a breakdown of average expenses for private schooling: 

💸 High School and Senior High School: ₱50,000 to ₱150,000

The K-12 education system added two more years at the high school level for both private and public schools. On average, tuition fees in the Philippines for high school students start from ₱40,000. Compared to grade school, high school education covers more subjects, thus more books and requirements are needed to develop the student’s mastery of knowledge and skills.

💸 College Level: ₱70,000 to ₱300,000+

College is probably the most difficult stage, both financially and emotionally. Aside from the increasingly expensive education fund, a four- or five-year course might be more difficult for the child.

Related:

• Where to Buy Affordable School Supplies in the Philippines
• How to Get Apple Products for Less at Apple Back to School 2024 

Tuition Fees of Top High Schools in the Philippines

How much are the tuition fees at the country’s top high schools? Get an idea below: 

🏫 Philippine Science High School 

Annual cost of tuition: Free for qualified students

Fondly called Pisay, the Philippine Science High School is a public high school affiliated with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). 

This is probably the best school for students who want to take a science, math, or engineering degree in college, as the school offers scholarships to students with aptitude in math and science. After all, Pisay graduates are mandated by law to take science- or math-oriented degrees. 

For more than 20 years, the Philippine Science High School operated on a single campus in Quezon City. Eventually, it launched campuses in various locations across the country like Davao City, Iloilo City, and Batangas City, among others. 

The examination is competitive, but the privileges are worth it. These include free tuition fees, free loans of textbooks, and a monthly stipend, just to name a few. 

🏫 Philippine High School for the Arts 

Annual cost of tuition: Free for qualified students

If your child has an artistic leaning, send them to the Philippine High School for the Arts to further hone their talent. 

Located in Mount Makiling, the Philippine High School for the Arts is an exclusive art school that offers five specializations: theater arts, creative writing, visual arts, dance, and music. Entry to this school, which is conducted via the Annual Nationwide Search for Young Arts Scholars (ANYAS), is competitive. 

Incoming Grade 7 students will go through an examination and audition to determine their eligibility. Scholarship privileges include free tuition, monthly stipend, and board and lodging. 

Students have the chance to represent the school and the country in international competitions, festivals, and even exchange programs. 

🏫 UP Integrated School 

Annual cost of tuition: ₱4,000 to ₱6,000 (₱2,000 to ₱3,000 per semester as of 2020)

The UP Integrated School or UPIS is the UP College of Education’s laboratory school. This means the school serves as a practicum venue for the students of the UP College of Education.

The UPIS has an integrated curriculum starting from kindergarten to Grade 12. It maintains a student population of 100 per grade level. 

Screening is competitive, as the only way your child can enter the school is via the Kindergarten Admission Test (KAT) or the Grade 7 Admission Test (GAT). It’s also worth noting that admission to the school factors in parentage. This means 60% of qualified students should be children of UP personnel. 

UPIS Grade 6 students are automatically admitted to Grade 7 provided they complete the academic requirements. The school will only open the GAT if the projected enrollment falls under 100. 

🏫 International School Manila 

Annual cost of tuition: Starts at US$16,580 plus ₱526,300 

One of the most expensive and prestigious schools in the Philippines, International School Manila (ISM) is also Manila’s oldest international school and the first institution in Asia to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program. 

ISM is currently located in Bonifacio Global City. Its student body and faculty members represent more than 100 countries, making the school culturally diverse. 

With its track record in education, ISM has sent its students to some of the world’s most exclusive universities. These include Boston College, Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Harvard University, Imperial College London, New York University, Stanford University, and Temple University Japan, among others. 

Considering its reputation, the annual tuition at ISM is steep, starting at almost ₱1.5 million. 

Read more: Most Expensive Schools in the Philippines: How Much Tuition Costs

🏫 British School Manila 

Annual cost of tuition: Starts at £8,665 plus ₱622,680

The British School Manila or BSM is an international school in Manila that offers British-oriented education. Each year, the school welcomes more than 900 students from over 50 nationalities. 

The BSM boasts a stellar record of academic achievement, claiming that it has a 96% IB Diploma passing rate as of school year 2022-2023. A lot of its students have made it to some of the world’s best universities, such as Boston University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Sciences Po, Imperial College London, King’s College London, and University College London, among others. 

Given the school’s prestige, annual high school tuition at the BSM starts at over ₱1.2 million. 

🏫 Brent International School Manila 

Annual cost of tuition: US$9,396 plus ₱431,552

Founded in 1984, Brent International School Manila is an international school associated with the Episcopal Church in the Philippines. It’s located in Biñan, Laguna, south of Metro Manila. 

Just like other international schools in the country, Brent offers the IB Diploma program. Brent alumni have been accepted to top universities here and abroad, such as Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, New York University, McGill University, Georgetown University, Cornell University, and Johns Hopkins University, among others. 

The annual high school tuition at Brent costs around ₱980,000. 

🏫 De La Salle University Senior High School

Annual cost of tuition: ₱146,000 to ₱170,000 (Laguna Campus) / ₱193,000 to ₱197,000 (Manila Campus)

The DLSU Senior High School is one of the best high schools if you want your child to get a taste of university life. That’s because the school has direct access to DLSU’s state-of-the-art laboratories, facilities, and knowledge sources. 

The DLSU Senior High School offers the following tracks and strands: 

• Academic 
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
• ABM (Accountancy, Business, and Management)
• HUMMS (Humanities and Social Sciences)
• Arts and Design
• Sports 

The DLSU Senior High School operates two campuses, one in Laguna and the other in Manila. The tuition will depend on your preferred campus.

Tuition Fees of Top Universities in the Philippines

How much is college in the Philippines? To give you a better understanding of school tuition at the tertiary level, here are some of the leading universities in the country and their corresponding costs. 

Note that some of these rates are sourced from FindUniversity.ph. To get the exact figures, reach out to the enrollment and assessment department of your preferred university. 

🏫 University of the Philippines Diliman

Annual cost of tuition: Up to ₱70,000+ / free for qualified students

UP Diliman has over 20,000 students. Journalism, computer engineering, philosophy, anthropology, and creative writing are just some of the many courses offered by this university.

Under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Republic Act 10931), UP is among the state universities that offer full tuition subsidies for students. This means qualified UP students can enjoy free tuition.

However, the regular tuition fee at this university is ₱1,500 per unit. If you apply for the university’s Socialized Tuition System (STS), you’ll enjoy discounted tuition rates. 

🏫 University of Santo Tomas

Annual cost of tuition: ₱100,000 to ₱200,000+

The oldest university in Asia, UST offers degrees in architecture, fine arts, nursing, physical therapy, pharmacy, and journalism, just to name a few. 

UST has various institutional recognitions. It was part of the Times Higher Education 2020 Impact Rankings and has been a Quacquarelli-Symonds (QS) Five Stars University since 2020. 

In the Philippines, various government institutions recognize UST’s heritage and quality education. These include the Commission on Higher Education, the National Museum of the Philippines, and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. 

But perhaps its most notable recognition is its Pontifical University status since 1902. This means the university is directly approved by the Holy See.

🏫 Silliman University

Annual cost of tuition: ₱80,000 to ₱120,000+

Siliman, located in Dumaguete, has the greatest number of accredited programs in the country. Founded in 1901, the university has degree programs in information technology, nursing, biology, marine science, agriculture, psychology, and more.

Tuition fees range from ₱40,000 to ₱60,000+ per semester, excluding laboratory and miscellaneous fees.

🏫 Mapua University

Annual cost of tuition: ₱130,000 to ₱195,000

Mapua University is known for its engineering and architecture programs. It also boasts the most number of engineering programs recognized as Centers of Excellence by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED): civil engineering, chemical engineering, computer engineering, electronics engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and environmental and sanitary engineering. 

Mapua pioneered the Quarterm or Quarter System in the Philippines. Under this scheme, students need to fulfill four terms instead of the usual two semesters. This means more tuition payments on your end. 

🏫 University of San Carlos

Annual cost of tuition: ₱70,000 to ₱80,000

Located in Cebu, the University of San Carlos consistently ranks as one of the country's best universities. 

In 2023, it made the list of the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings. The said classification assesses schools around the world using the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as benchmarks. Meanwhile, in 2024, the university debuted in the 2024 QS World University Rankings. 

🏫 San Beda University

Annual cost of tuition: ₱145,000 to ₱155,000

Founded in 1901, San Beda has campuses in Manila, Alabang, and Rizal. CHED granted the institution university status in 2018. 

San Beda offers degrees in accountancy, marketing, economics, and law. Those looking to complete a medical degree should check out this university, as San Beda also has programs in nursing and medicine. 

San Beda’s College of Law, meanwhile, has produced notable alumni found in Philippine politics. These include the former President Rodrigo Duterte, former DOH Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, former senator Raul Roco, and current senator Leila de Lima. 

🏫 Ateneo de Manila University

Annual cost of tuition: ₱231,572 

One of the top private universities in the Philippines, the Ateneo offers elementary, high school, college, and graduate education. The university offers competitive programs in sciences, liberal arts, law, management, and engineering.

The average college tuition fee at the Ateneo is around ₱98,000 per semester. Meanwhile, basic fees cost around ₱10,000 and other fees over ₱7,000.

Tuition fees in the Philippines vary depending on your child’s program of study. Additional fees may also be charged aside from the ones mentioned above.

🏫 University of Asia and the Pacific

Annual cost of tuition: ₱190,000 to ₱250,000

UA&P offers courses in economics, humanities, management, and information technology. The institution also implements the International Pathways Program, which allows students to study at UA&P’s partner universities like Macquarie University, Griffith University, and Southern Cross University. 

The UA&P’s tuition fees are among the highest in the country. Depending on your child’s degree, you’ll need to shell out ₱95,000 to ₱125,000 per semester. 

Related reading: 11 Study Abroad Programs for a Global Educational Experience

🏫 De La Salle College of Saint Benilde

Annual cost of tuition: ₱190,000 to ₱300,000+

Benilde was founded in the 1980s as a night school, but today it offers various courses in the fields of arts and design, international studies, and hotel and management. While known for its creative and hospitality programs, Benilde also has governance-related degrees. Under its School of Diplomacy and Governance, the college offers Governance and Public Affairs and Diplomacy and International Affairs. 

The school implements a trimester system, dividing the academic calendar into three terms. So how much is the tuition fee per term? Prepare between ₱65,000 and ₱100,000.

🏫 De La Salle University

Annual cost of tuition: ₱200,000+ to ₱250,000+

Photo: De La Salle University (Facebook)

DLSU offers programs in communication, sciences, engineering, business, and technologies. Unlike most Philippine universities that have two semesters per academic year, DLSU has three terms, each costing an average of around ₱70,000 to ₱90,000.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Education

The tuition fee in college per unit is, on average, ₱3,712. If your child takes 18 units in one trimester, you need to pay ₱66,816 for tuition fees alone. You’ll also need to factor in other fees like library, registration, and other miscellaneous fees. 

Before you compute the amount to save for your child's education, consider the things that impact the cost of education:

📌 Your Target School and Course

Do you dream of sending your children to one of the top universities in the Philippines? Start saving more because college courses in the Philippines, especially at the best universities, aren't cheap.

Looking for schools that specialize in fields like business, accounting, engineering, medicine, IT, and the arts? If the schools on your shortlist all charge high tuition payments, you must either build a huge tuition fund or keep looking for more affordable choices.

Consider a state university or college covered by RA 10931 or the free tuition law.^[1] Qualified students in premier state universities like UP and PUP no longer pay for tuition, miscellaneous fees, and other school fees.

However, the free tuition law has numerous conditions and restrictions, so you don't know for sure if your child will qualify for it. Also, you can't be too certain if this law will still be in effect by the time your child enters college.

📌 Your Target School’s Current Tuition

Once you determine your target college, find out how much its current tuition costs. Look for the information on the school's official website or through search engines like FindUniversity.ph, among others.

Take note that the five-year moratorium on tuition fee hikes for state universities and colleges ended in 2023.^[2] Meanwhile, when it comes to private universities, tuition fees in the Philippines increase by an average of 10% every year—about twice the country's average inflation rate of 4% to 5%.

While the cost of education rises exponentially, household incomes, unfortunately, don't always keep pace. Can you already imagine how costly it will be to fund your child's education?

📌 Number of Years Until Your Child Starts College

Your kid's age today will determine how long you have left to save for college tuition. A parent with a newborn, for instance, has 18 years to prepare for the child's college education.

That's easier to manage compared to building a tuition fund for a 10-year-old kid or older. The shorter the time left for you to save, the bigger the money you have to set aside per month or year.

How to Calculate Tuition Fees in the Philippines

Now that you know the factors that affect the cost of education in the country, you can compute the amount you need to secure your child's education in the future.

To make it simpler, calculate the cost of education for your child's first year in college. Use this formula:

Cost of College Education = Current Tuition in Target School x (1.10 ^ Years Until College)

For example, you want your three-year-old to study at UST 15 years from now. Let's say the current tuition for the program you're eyeing is ₱110,000. The estimated tuition cost for 2039 is computed this way:

₱110,000 x (1.10 ^ 15) = ₱459,497.30

That's for the first year of college alone. You also need to compute for the remaining years in college, taking into account that tuition goes up by 10% every year.

To get the total tuition cost, multiply the estimated tuition for the first year (₱459,497.30) by 1.10 for every year your child will be in college, then get the sum.

Assuming your child will complete a four-year course, here's how much it will cost you for every year in college:

The estimated total cost of education is over ₱2 million. This is your target amount to save for your child's tuition. The actual cost may go higher or lower depending on your target school, the tuition cost, and how long you'll save up for it.

You can use a Future Value calculator^[3] for quicker computation.

How to Reduce Expenses on Your Child’s Education

Overwhelmed by the numbers provided above? You can do a lot of things to ease the financial burden. A little help can go a long way if you’re determined to send your child to school.

👉 Get Discounts

Private schools, usually at the grade school and high school levels, grant student discounts to siblings or relatives of their students.

Some also offer early bird discounts. If the opening of classes is set for August, early birds can pre-enroll by March or a few months before the enrollment date. Discounts become lower as the opening of classes approaches.

If you can pay the whole tuition in cash, do so. This may significantly reduce your overall costs. 

👉 Apply for Government Subsidies

Yes, private school students can also qualify for government subsidies, such as the following:

Educational Services Contracting (ESC)

This government program seeks to decongest public high schools by granting subsidized education to students in private schools instead. Instead of crowding classrooms in the public education system, the government makes arrangements with private schools to open enrollment slots to these students for free.

Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS VP)

The SHS VP is another financial assistance program that provides would-be college students with a voucher. The voucher is only for those who completed senior high school from private or public schools as non-ESC grantees.

For students entering college in the National Capital Region, the maximum voucher amount is ₱22,500. For those in highly urbanized areas, the voucher is worth ₱20,000; and for all other locations in the country, ₱17,000.^[4]

The grantees will present the voucher to their selected university or college upon enrolment. The voucher amount is deductible from tuition and other school fees.

👉 Look for Scholarships and Grants

Tuition fees in the Philippines can go lower if you look for scholarships and grants. Universities, colleges, and private schools offer free or subsidized tuition to deserving students. Your child can apply as an academic scholar.

The process includes the assessment of previous grades and scores on written entrance exams. Some students also need to undergo interviews. If you want to apply for a scholarship or grant, prepare your Income Tax Return (ITR) as schools also evaluate the subsidy amount based on the parents' earnings and financial capacity.

👉 Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Reuse books and uniforms. Look for students within your neighborhood who have taken up the same program or subject as your child. You can pay at a reduced price or even get these hand-me-downs for free.

👉 Choose Cheaper Student Accommodations

If you’re sending your child to study somewhere far, then you might want to look for practical accommodations. Consider dormitories instead of studios and apartments.

Dormitories are built for sharing, but these are usually located near the school. Your child can save time and money on commutes.

5 Tips To Help You Save for Your Child’s Education

Not every parent can shell millions of pesos out of their bank accounts all at once to pay for college tuition. Here are tips on saving for your little one’s education:

✔️ Start Saving Early

Don’t wait until your kid gets older before you start saving for their education. The earlier you start, the longer you have to save for your child's tuition fund. Start slowly, and once you’re in a financially better place, amp up your savings. 

✔️ Find the Perfect Saving Strategy

Allot a portion—one that won’t strain your finances—of your monthly salary for your child’s education. Add more to your kid’s tuition funds every time you receive a bonus.

Try aiming for a no-spend month. Buy essentials and pay off bills and debts—the rest goes to your child’s education fund. The idea is to spend less and save more for your kid’s future.

If you have a stable income, you can also aim for a monthly 10% saving rate. You’ll have a set amount of savings each month. It may not seem much, but it adds up!

✔️ Invest Your Money

Rather than just saving straight-up, invest your money in an instrument that yields a return of around 8% to 10% or higher. Put your savings in mutual funds, stocks, VUL insurance, or other investments. Just a word of caution, though: don't fall for online investment scams.

Investing will help bring down your target savings while still meeting your tuition fund goal. 

✔️ Get an Educational Plan

An educational plan isn’t cheap, but it guarantees that you can send your child to a college or university. This type of pre-need plan also ensures that your child’s tuition for their entire stay in college is covered.

✔️ Take Out a Loan

You can get a student loan from private financial institutions or government agencies, such as CHED, GSIS, and SSS.

You may also turn to a private financial institution to fund the cost of education. Private lenders typically set higher limits on financial aid. Of course, ensure you can afford the monthly repayments or you may find yourself racking up debts left and right.

Final Thoughts

Education, particularly tuition fees in the Philippines, comes with a hefty price tag. However, it can help secure your child’s future—and it’s a legacy you’ll want to leave behind for your little one. Start as early as now and find a savings strategy that won’t jeopardize your finances.

Consider getting a personal loan as well. Compare your options below and apply easily through Moneymax:

Provider	Loan Amount	Monthly Add-on Rate	Minimum Annual Income	Approval Time
UnionBank Personal Loan	Up to ₱2 million	1.29%	₱250,000	As fast as 5 minutes
UNO Digital Bank Personal Loan	₱10,000 to ₱500,000	2%	₱420,000	7 banking days
Metrobank Personal Loan	₱20,000 to ₱2 million	1.25% to 1.75%	₱350,000	7 banking days
BPI Personal Loan	₱20,000 to  ₱3 million	1.2%	₱180,000	5 to 7 banking days
Tonik Credit Builder	Up to ₱20,000	4.84%	Inquire with Tonik	2 banking days
Tala Loan	₱1,000 to ₱25,000	0.43% to 0.5% daily	None	24 hours
HSBC Personal Loan	₱30,000 to ₱500,000	0.65%	₱168,000	5 banking days
CIMB Personal Loan	₱30,000 to ₱1 million	As low as 0.83%	₱180,000	2 banking days
Maybank Personal Loan	₱50,000 to ₱1 million	1.3%	₱300,000	5 to 10 banking days
RCBC Bank Personal Loan	Up to ₱1 million	1.3%	₱360,000	5 to 7 banking days
SB Finance Personal Loan	₱30,000 to ₱2 million	2%	₱180,000	5 to 7 banking days
PSBank Personal Loan	₱20,000 to ₱250,000	1.75% or 2.5%	₱180,000	5 to 9 banking days

Sources:

• ^[1] RA 10931 (Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act) (Official Gazette)
• ^[2] CHED: Tuition hike looming in state universities, colleges (GMA Network, 2023)
• ^[3] How To Use the Future Value Formula (Investopedia, 2024)
• ^[4] SHS VP Eligibility (Department of Education)