A university in Cebu City, two  schools in Davao del Norte, and one in the Province of Leyte are on top of best performing Law schools outside of the National Capital Region in the September 2023 Bar Examination, in different categories.

This is according to the Supreme Court of the Philippines through its official Facebook page on December 5, 2023.

University of San Carlos placed third with 90.91 percent for law schools with over 100 candidates.

University of Cebu topped law schools with 51-100 candidates with a percentage rate of 76.67. This category is dominated by regional schools: Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan in Misamis Oriental on second place posted 71.79 percent passing rate; University of San Jose-Recoletos of Cebu City in fourth place with 48.48 percent; and Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation in Tacloban City, Leyte at fifth place with 45.24 percent.

For schools with 11 to 50 candidates, Saint Louis University in Baguio City, Benguet Province is on second spot with 92.86 passing percentage; Ateneo de Davao University on third spot with 90.70 percent; while Bulacan State University  and University of Mindanao shared fourth place at 89.47 percent.

All top-performing law schools with one to ten candidates are located outside of Metro Manila. St. Thomas More School of Law and Business, and St. Mary’s College of Tagum, Inc. in Tagum City; and Western Leyte College of Ormoc City, Inc. in Leyte Province shared the top spot with 100 percent passing rate.

Here is the complete list of top-performing law schools in the Philippines based on the number of candidates:

Law schools with more than 100 candidates: 

  1. Ateneo de Manila University - 94.08%
  2. San Beda University - 92.20%
  3. University of San Carlos - 90.91%
  4. University of the Philippines - 89.45%
  5. University of Santo Tomas - 85.25%

Law schools with 51-100 candidates:

      1. University of Cebu - 76.67% 

      2. Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan - 71.79%

      3. Far Eastern University - 58.90%

      4. University of San Jose-Recoletos - 48.48%

      5. Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation - 45.24%

Law schools with 11 to 50 candidates: 

  1. University of Makati - 93.94% 
  2. Saint Louis University - 92.86%
  3. Ateneo de Davao University - 90.70%
  4. Bulacan State University  and University of Mindanao  - 89.47%
  5. Polytechnic University of the Philippines - 86.67%

Law schools with one to 10 candidates:

  1. St. Thomas More School of Law and Business; St. Mary’s College of Tagum, Inc.; and Western Leyte College of Ormoc City, Inc. shared the top spot with 100 percent passing rate;
  2. Ateneo de Naga University - 88.89%
  3. Bicol University - 85.71%
  4. Saint Louis College - 80%
  5. Father Saturnino Urios University - 77.78%