Looking for the top accounting universities in the Philippines? We rank schools using the most recent CPALE “Top Performing School” outcomes set by the PRC (≥50 examinees and ≥80% passing rate in that sitting). Then we add an Also notable section for programs with recent topnotchers or strong signals even when they didn’t meet the “top performing” threshold in that cycle.
At a Glance: Top Accounting Schools in the Philippines (2025)
University of the Philippines – Diliman (UPD) — Quezon City
Top Performing School in May 2025 with 100% (60/60); also a Top Performing School in Dec 2024 (~98%).Bicol University – Daraga (BU-Daraga) — Albay
Top Performing School in Oct 2025 with 84.85% (56/66).De La Salle University – Manila (DLSU) — Manila
Top Performing School in Dec 2024 with ~80.53%.
Methodology (1-line): Ordered by schools that qualified and appeared as “Top Performing Schools” in the latest CPALE cycles (Dec 2024, May 2025, Oct 2025) under PRC rules (≥50 examinees & ≥80% passing rate). Primary sources: PRC notices + reputable exam trackers.
Quick Comparison Table
School | City | Recent CPALE highlight | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
UP Diliman | Quezon City | 100% (60/60) Top Performing School — May 2025; ~98% in Dec 2024 | Elite consistency across cycles; strong analytics & faculty. |
BU-Daraga | Albay | 84.85% (56/66) — Top Performing School, Oct 2025 | Clear 2025 surge; rising regional leader. |
DLSU-Manila | Manila | ~80.53% — Top Performing School, Dec 2024 | Big-school ecosystem; strong industry ties. |
School Profiles
1) University of the Philippines – Diliman (UPD) — Quezon City
UPD posted Top Performing School status with a perfect 100% (60/60) in May 2025, and ~98% in Dec 2024—leading recent CPALE cycles among schools with ≥50 examinees.
Best for: analytically strong students seeking rigorous training and public-sector mission.
2) Bicol University – Daraga — Albay
Named Top Performing School in Oct 2025 after 56/66 passers (84.85%), per PRC releases covered by national media.
Best for: candidates who want a high-performing regional program with clear momentum.
3) De La Salle University – Manila — Manila
Recognized as a Top Performing School in Dec 2024 (around 80.53%). A consistent big-university option with strong recruiter links.
Best for: learners seeking a Manila hub with breadth of accounting and business opportunities.
Also notable (unranked)
These programs showed topnotchers or strong cohort signals recently, though they may not have met the Top Performing School threshold (≥50 & ≥80%) in a given sitting:
UP Tacloban / UP Visayas — posted perfect or near-perfect small-cohort results in May 2025.
University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R) — frequent topnotchers in recent cycles.
University of Santo Tomas (UST) — longstanding accountancy reputation and periodic topnotchers.
Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP); University of the Cordilleras (UC) — recurring topnotcher presence.
How we rank (transparent criteria)
Primary signal: PRC’s Top Performing School designation for CPALE cycles (Dec 2024, May 2025, Oct 2025) — requires ≥50 examinees and ≥80% passing rate in that sitting.
Secondary/context: Noted topnotchers, school communications, and news coverage to highlight programs outside the PRC “top performing” list without mixing evidence bases.
Update cadence: We refresh after each new CPALE performance bulletin.
FAQs
What is the best accounting school in the Philippines right now?
Based on recent CPALE cycles, UP Diliman (Dec 2024 and May 2025 top-performing) and Bicol University – Daraga (Oct 2025 top-performing) stand out in 2025.
How does a school qualify as a “Top Performing School” in CPALE?
PRC recognizes schools with ≥50 passers and ≥80% overall passing rate for that exam cycle.
Why isn’t every well-known accountancy program on the list?
Some excellent programs didn’t meet PRC’s numerical threshold in a given sitting or weren’t in the very top band that cycle. We mention notable schools via topnotchers/recognitions without ranking them against “Top Performing” qualifiers.
