De La Salle University (DLSU) is a private Catholic university in Manila, founded in 1911 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. In Term 1 of AY 2025–2026 it had 23,574 undergraduate and 3,173 graduate students.[1] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it is placed in the 751–760 band, after 654th in 2026.[2]
The latest official fee schedule we found gives average tuition and fees for incoming first-year students in Term 1 of AY 2025–2026 between ₱74,000 (Education) and ₱96,000 (Law).[3] DLSU announced no tuition increase for AY 2026–2027.[4] First-year applicants sit the De La Salle University College Admission Test (DCAT), which is also offered online to local and international applicants.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | De La Salle University (DLSU) |
| Location | 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila, Philippines (main campus); further campuses in Laguna and elsewhere[6] |
| Type | Private Catholic research university[1] |
| Founded | 1911 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools; university status granted on 19 February 1975[7] |
| Students | 23,574 undergraduate and 3,173 graduate (Term 1, AY 2025–2026)[1] |
| Faculty | 585 full-time and 847 part-time[1] |
| Colleges and schools | Eight: Education, Computer Studies, Law, Liberal Arts, Science, Engineering, Business and Economics (plus a senior high and integrated school)[8] |
| Academic calendar | Three terms a year (September, January, May); trimesters since 1981[5] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 751–760 band (654th in 2026)[2] |
| Accreditation | Level IV PAASCU accreditation; ASEAN University Network Quality Mark at institutional level[1] |
| Average tuition and fees, first-year, Term 1 AY 2025–2026 | ₱74,000 (Education) to ₱96,000 (Tañada-Diokno School of Law)[3] |
| Tuition change for AY 2026–2027 | No increase announced[4] |
| Tuition for international students | Same as for Filipino students (old international students FAQ, undated)[9] |
| Official website | dlsu.edu.ph |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About De La Salle University
De La Salle University was established in 1911 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, who came to Manila at the request of the American Archbishop to introduce English-based Catholic education.[7] It was incorporated as De La Salle College in 1912, moved to its present Taft Avenue site in 1921 and was granted university status on 19 February 1975.[7] It opened to women in 1973 and switched from semesters to trimesters in 1981.[7]
DLSU calls itself the country’s most productive private research university.[1] It reports Level IV PAASCU accreditation and was the first university in the region to receive the ASEAN University Network Quality Mark at institutional level.[1]
How is De La Salle University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, De La Salle University is in the 751–760 band, after 654th place in 2026.[2] PhilSTAR Life reports the same.[10] Wikipedia also lists 751–760 for the 2027 edition.[6]
Source conflict: the Daily Tribune, published on 19 June 2026, writes that DLSU “improved its position to 654th from the 751–760 bracket”, which reverses the direction. The other reports, and the 2026 results, agree that 654th was the 2026 position and 751–760 is the 2027 one, so we use that order.[11] The Tribune is the only one of these sources that reads differently.
It is the third of five Philippine institutions in the 2027 ranking, behind the University of the Philippines (402nd) and Ateneo de Manila University (581st).[2] See the Philippines ranking table and how we compile rankings.
What can you study at De La Salle University?
The colleges and schools page lists:[8]
- Brother Andrew Gonzalez College of Education
- College of Computer Studies
- College of Law (the Tañada-Diokno School of Law)
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Science
- Gokongwei College of Engineering
- Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business
- School of Economics
Classes start in September for Term 1, January for Term 2 and May for Term 3.[5] DLSU says it will stay on blended learning for AY 2027–2028.[5] Graduate admission uses the DGAT and the law school uses the JDAT.[12]
How much does De La Salle University cost?
DLSU’s published schedule gives average tuition and fees per term for incoming first-year students. The latest one we could find is for Term 1 of AY 2025–2026 (September 2025 intake). Amounts are in Philippine pesos (₱).[3]
| College | Average tuition and fees, Term 1 |
|---|---|
| Br. Andrew Gonzalez FSC College of Education | ₱74,000 |
| College of Liberal Arts | ₱81,000 |
| College of Computer Studies | ₱82,000 |
| Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business | ₱86,000 |
| Gokongwei College of Engineering | ₱88,000 |
| Carlos L. Tiu School of Economics | ₱93,000 |
| College of Science | ₱95,000 |
| Tañada-Diokno School of Law | ₱96,000 |
The schedule says the assessment can change with the student’s load, including laboratory courses and exemptions.[3] The university announced in February 2026 that it will not raise tuition in AY 2026–2027.[4] We did not find a newer official schedule, so confirm the current figures with the Admissions and Scholarships Office.
An old FAQ for international students on the university site states that tuition is the same for international and Filipino students. The page is undated and the site copyright reads 2017, so check this with the office.[9]
How do you apply to De La Salle University as an international student?
First-year applicants for AY 2027–2028 apply online and take the DCAT. Eligible applicants include Grade 12 students and graduates from a school in the Philippines or abroad who have not taken college courses, and Grade 12 students or graduates who hold SAT, AP, IB or A Level results that meet DLSU’s criteria; all results are evaluated.[5]
The DCAT is offered on campus in Manila and Laguna, at provincial centres and online for local and international examinees; online examinees attend a mock test first.[5] Offer or rejection letters are sent to the applicant’s email.[5]
International students are advised by the International Center. Dual citizens count as Filipinos at DLSU. A student visa is valid for one year at first, with extensions of six months, and an Annual Report is required at the Bureau of Immigration (₱310 on the page).[9] The FAQ is on the old university site, so confirm current immigration rules.
We give no deadlines because they change every year. Graduate applicants follow the graduate admissions pages and the DGAT calendar.[12]
Which English level do you need?
DLSU teaches in English; English-based Catholic education was the aim of its founding.[7] The pages we read do not state a TOEFL or IELTS minimum for international applicants, and the DCAT is the stated admission test.[5] Ask the Admissions and Scholarships Office whether an English certificate is required for your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at De La Salle University?
Do international students pay more at DLSU?
An old FAQ on the university site says tuition is the same for international and Filipino students.[9] The page is undated, so check with the office.
How is De La Salle University ranked?
What admission test does DLSU use?
First-year applicants take the DCAT, which is also offered online for local and international applicants.[5]
Is De La Salle University the same as De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde?
No. The College of Saint Benilde became autonomous in 1994.[7]
More about studying in Philippines
- Philippines: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Philippines
- Ateneo de Manila University
- Mapúa University
- University of Santo Tomas
- University of the Philippines Diliman
Sources
[1] De La Salle University: About DLSU (page without a date; student figures for Term 1 AY 2025–2026)
[2] GMA News: UP, PH universities in the QS rankings (article on the QS 2027 release of 18 Jun 2026 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access))
[3] De La Salle University: Projected tuition and fees for incoming first-year college students, AY 2025–2026 (schedule for Term 1 of AY 2025–2026 (September 2025 intake))
[4] BusinessWorld: No tuition hikes, more in-person classes next year, DLSU says (article of 24 Feb 2026)
[5] De La Salle University: Undergraduate admission, DCAT application AY 2027–2028 (page for the AY 2027–2028 intake; page without a date)
[6] Wikipedia: De La Salle University (address, campuses and QS 2027 band; page without a date)
[7] De La Salle University: A Brief History (page without a date; text credited to the PAASCU 2013 report)
[8] De La Salle University: Colleges and Schools (page without a date)
[9] De La Salle University: International Students FAQ (old site) (page without a date; site copyright 2017)
[10] PhilSTAR Life: UP remains top PH university in QS World University Rankings 2027 (article on the QS 2027 release)
[11] Daily Tribune: All 5 Philippine schools slip in 2027 QS rankings (article of 19 Jun 2026; its wording on DLSU reverses the order of the 2026 and 2027 positions)
[12] De La Salle University: Graduate admissions (page with the Term 2 AY 2026–2027 calendar)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.