UE maintains tuition rates, lowers enrollment down payment to P1K,  waives college entrance test for SY 2026-27

The University of the East (UE) announced that it will keep tuition rates unchanged for the school year 2026-2027, lower its enrollment down payment for incoming college freshmen to P1,000 for early-bird enrollees this May, and waive the UE College Entrance Test (UE CET) requirement for qualified applicants.

UE President and Chief Academic Officer Zosimo Battad said the measures are intended to help ease the financial burden on students and families preparing for college enrollment amid continuing economic pressures.

“These initiatives are meant to help students begin their college education with fewer financial and procedural barriers in these difficult times,” Battad said.

Under the revised enrollment policy, incoming freshmen may enroll with an initial payment of P1,000 until May 30, 2026, subject to documentary and academic requirements. Qualified applicants will also no longer be required to take the UE CET for the upcoming academic year, removing the need to travel to the UE campuses to take the test, thereby helping lessen additional expenses for applicants.

At the same time, Battad said the university decided to maintain current tuition rates across all academic programs for all year levels for the coming school year despite rising operational costs.

Enrollment for incoming first-year college students opened in the first week of May, ahead of the university’s regular enrollment calendar. UE college classes for SY 2026-2027 are scheduled to begin on July 23, 2026.

UE's entrance test waiver applies to graduates of public and private senior high schools, subject to compliance with documentary and academic requirements for admission.

The university is also continuing its scholarship and financial assistance programs for qualified students, including grants for senior high school graduates with academic honors, tuition discounts for children of UE alumni and overseas Filipino workers, and aid programs for qualified low-income students.

UE offers undergraduate programs through its Manila and Caloocan campuses in disciplines including engineering, business, dentistry, architecture, psychology, information technology, fine arts, and medical technology.

The university said applications may be done online through its admissions portal www.ue.edu.ph or at its Manila and Caloocan admissions offices Mondays through Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

UE currently ranks no. 5 among Philippine private universities in Asia in the Applied Higher Education Private University Ranking: All Asia, and no. 6 in Manila and no. 16 in the Philippines based on EduRank.org.

Founded in 1946, the university once held the highest enrollment record among all universities in Asia and will mark its 80th founding anniversary this September.