Looking for the top business schools in the Philippines for your MBA or graduate business degree? Whether you’re pursuing an MBA or a graduate business program, these schools consistently rank among the top for quality education, reputation, and graduate success. Below is a concise, up-to-date list—followed by short profiles, a comparison table, and a transparent methodology.
Take note, if you are interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in business, there are schools on this list that may be good for you. Once you finish your undergraduate degree, you can decide to pursue a masters degree and enter into business school. Some people get their masters degrees at a specialized business school while others get their masters degrees at the same school that they got their undergraduate degrees in. What is the best choice to make? In business, a school with a good program is often a good choice for a masters degree and undergraduate degree. If tuition is too expensive, there are schools that are still good even if they are not #1. The best teacher in business will always be outside-the-classroom experience.
At a Glance: Top Business Schools in the Philippines (2025)
Asian Institute of Management (AIM) — Makati (AACSB-accredited)
Ateneo Graduate School of Business (AGSB) — Makati
De La Salle University – Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business (DLSU RVR COB) — Manila
UP – Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business (UP VSB) — Quezon City
University of Santo Tomas – Graduate School (UST) — Manila
University of San Carlos – School of Business & Economics (USC SBE) — Cebu City
Methodology (1-line): Ordered by the latest Eduniversal “Palmes of Excellence” classification for the Philippines and current international accreditation signals (e.g., AACSB for AIM). We review annually.
Quick Comparison Table
School | City | Program Types (examples) | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
AIM | Makati | MBA, EMBA, specialized management | International profile; only PH school with current AACSB; strong executive network |
Ateneo (AGSB) | Makati | MBA tracks (working professionals), EMBA | Industry-linked, values-centered leadership, flexible formats |
DLSU RVR COB | Manila | MBA (FT/PT), specializations | Research + practice balance; strong Taft business ecosystem |
UP VSB | Quezon City | MBA (FT/PT), MS Finance (varies), research | Flagship public business school; rigorous analytics foundation |
UST Graduate School | Manila | MBA, exec-oriented electives | Leadership & ethics emphasis; long academic tradition |
USC SBE | Cebu City | MBA, research capstone | VisMin hub; practical projects and regional industry ties |
1) Asian Institute of Management (AIM) — Makati
AIM is the Philippines’ premier international graduate school of management and the only PH business school currently holding AACSB accreditation. The portfolio includes MBA and Executive MBA options with strong industry immersion, case-method pedagogy, and robust executive networks centered in Metro Manila’s business district. MBA Students may also opt for the general management track or major in one the following areas: Finance, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship.
While AIM does not offer undergraduate programs, it is considered the #1 business school for graduate students pursuing business. AIM is an international management school that pioneers in graduate education. It’s a member of the European Quality Improvement Systems (EQUIS)
Best for: managers and leaders seeking a globally benchmarked program and executive pathways.
AIM was #1 in being the most preferred graduate school by top CEOs in the Philippines (What are the Most Preferred Graduate Schools of PH’s Top CEOs?).
2) Ateneo Graduate School of Business (AGSB) — Makati
Housed at the Ateneo Professional Schools in Rockwell, AGSB caters especially to working professionals. Programs emphasize values-based leadership and decision-making, with multiple MBA tracks (e.g., Standard, Middle Manager, Regis) and executive-oriented offerings. The MBA Standard Program of AGSB is designed for young adult practitioners who wish to upgrade their knowledge and skills while the Middle Manager MBA program is designed for senior managers and staff members who occupy a supervisory and managerial position in their organizations.
Best for: professionals balancing work with graduate study; leadership and ethics-driven training.
Ateneo also ranks as the leading university that produces the most number of successful startup founders and CEOs in the Philippines with startups and businesses that have received Series A or more funding (Which Universities Graduated the Most CEOs of PH’s Largest Listed Companies?, Which Schools Graduated the Most Founders of Top PH Startups?)
3) De La Salle University – Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business — Manila
DLSU RVR COB combines a research-informed curriculum with practical specializations (finance, marketing, supply chain, etc.). Flexible pacing makes it attractive to both full-time and part-time students along the Taft Avenue corridor. Its MBA program has been ranked among the top 20 part-time MBA programs in Asia.
Students who opt to enroll in their MBA program may major in any of the following areas: agribusiness, business and governance, business law, business management, culture and arts management, finance, human resource management, information technology, international business, marketing, operations management, property management, sports and recreation management, and supply chain management.
Best for: students seeking specialization depth and an active Manila business community.
4) UP – Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business — Quezon City
UP VSB offers a rigorous, analytics-forward training with public-sector mission roots. The MBA (full-time and part-time) suits candidates who want a strong foundation in managerial economics, finance, and research methods inside the UP Diliman ecosystem.
Best for: academically strong candidates seeking quantitative rigor and research tradition.
5) University of Santo Tomas – Graduate School — Manila
The UST Graduate School blends leadership formation, communication, and ethics with practical management coursework. The university’s heritage campus and alumni networks support career mobility across corporate and entrepreneurial paths. University of Santo Tomas offers several Master’s Degree Program including Masters in Business Administration.
UST offers their Full-Time MBA program in a 21-month period where students gain a competitive edge by polishing the communication, leadership and ethical skills that are highly valued by corporate recruiters.
Best for: leadership and communication-centric development in a tradition-rich setting.
6) University of San Carlos – School of Business & Economics — Cebu City
A leading Visayas school, USC SBE is known for MBA programs that integrate research and practical projects with regional industry exposure. It’s a strong option for candidates based in—or targeting roles within—VisMin. It offers both EMBA and MBA. MBA was also the first master’s program to be offered by USC as part of the College of Commerce.
The duration of their MBA program is 3 year and requires a research paper. However, a student is given a total of 5 years to complete the program, otherwise he/she will receive a Certificate in Graduate Business Studies and be removed from the program.
Best for: professionals in Central/Southern Philippines seeking accessible graduate business training.
Want more information about the colleges in the list? Search for them in our directory listing.
(Source: https://rmnisperos.com/philippines-top-mba-schools/)
How We Ranked (Transparent Criteria)
Primary signal: Eduniversal “Palmes of Excellence” (Philippines)—a country-level classification that groups schools by international influence and reputation.
Accreditation weight: International accreditation (e.g., AACSB) is a strong quality marker and can influence ordering when present.
Secondary checks: Program breadth (MBA/EMBA), research/practice balance, and employer/alumni signals.
Update cadence: Reviewed annually or as major accreditation/classification changes occur.
Note: There is no single official, universally accepted national ranking updated every year. Using a transparent, external classification + accreditation keeps the list defensible and current.
Choosing the Right PH Business School: 5 Practical Tips
Match schedule to format: full-time vs. part-time vs. executive; night and weekend tracks vary.
Check accreditation & faculty: accreditation (e.g., AACSB) + experienced practitioner-faculty.
Look at outcomes: alumni networks, internship/consulting projects, recruiter presence.
Weigh location: Makati/Manila for corporate HQ access; Cebu for VisMin industries.
Preview the curriculum: core analytics, leadership, and your intended specialization.
FAQ: Top Business Schools in the Philippines
What is the best business school in the Philippines?
For 2025, AIM sits at the top on the strength of its international profile and AACSB accreditation.
The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) is widely regarded as the top choice for graduate business education, with international accreditation and strong industry recognition.
Is there an official ranking list for top business schools in the Philippines?
No single “official” list is published annually. We rely on recognized classifications (Eduniversal) and accreditations (e.g., AACSB) to provide a consistent, transparent ordering.
Which schools are best for working professionals?
Ateneo (AGSB) and DLSU offer flexible MBA formats popular with working students; AIM and AGSB also provide executive-oriented pathways.
What is the oldest business school in the Philippines?
The University of the Philippines – Diliman’s Virata School of Business, established in 1916, is the oldest institution offering MBA programs.
