How are the best nursing schools in the Philippines ranked?

This ranking uses one input: performance in the Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination as published by the Professional Regulation Commission after each cycle in its Performance of Schools report. PRC lists every participating school with its number of examinees, passers, and passing percentage, and separately names top performing schools among those with at least 100 examinees. We do not score campus facilities, marketing claims, or global university league tables, because none of those predict whether you will pass the boards. Where a figure in this guide comes from secondary reporting rather than a PRC release we say so.

What is the NLE passing rate in the Philippines?

It moves sharply between cycles. PRC recorded 6,935 of 10,770 passing in May 2025 for 64.39 percent, then 40,692 of 45,192 in November 2025 for 90.04 percent, the highest national rate on record, then 3,611 of 8,162 in February 2026 for 44.24 percent. November cycles are dominated by fresh graduates while off-cycle exams carry a heavier share of repeat takers, which is most of the reason the spread is that wide. Never compare a school's rate from one cycle against a national average from a different one.

Which nursing school has the highest NLE passing rate?

There is no single permanent answer, because the leaderboard is rebuilt every cycle. In the November 2025 NLE, 21 schools with at least 100 examinees posted a perfect 100 percent, including Saint Louis University, West Visayas State University, Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan, University of Santo Tomas, and Cebu Doctors' University. In the May 2025 cycle, University of Pangasinan led schools with 100 or more examinees at 99.16 percent. Check the PRC Performance of Schools report for the most recent cycle before treating any ranking as current.

Why does examinee volume matter when comparing schools?

Because a perfect rate on a small cohort and a high rate on a large one are different achievements. PRC itself separates top performing schools with at least 100 examinees for this reason. A school passing 40 of 40 has done well; a school passing thousands while staying above the national average has done something structurally harder. Read the raw passer and examinee counts, not just the percentage.

Is nursing school expensive in the Philippines?

Private nursing programs are among the more expensive undergraduate degrees because of laboratory, related learning experience, and clinical affiliation fees layered on top of tuition. State universities are substantially cheaper, and qualified students at state universities are covered by free tuition under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. See our nursing school tuition guide for current per-school figures rather than budgeting off a national average.

How long is nursing school in the Philippines?

Four years. CHED Memorandum Order No. 15, series of 2017, sets the Bachelor of Science in Nursing as an at-least-four-year program built on a 192-unit sample curriculum, with 53 recommended Related Learning Experience units of skills laboratory and clinical rotation threaded through all four years. After graduating you must pass the Nurses Licensure Examination to register as a nurse with the PRC.

Can I work abroad with a Philippine nursing degree?

A Philippine BSN and PRC licence are a starting point, not an automatic transfer. For the United States, the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools runs a certification program for internationally educated nurses combining a credentials evaluation, the CGFNS Qualifying Exam, and English proficiency evidence, and CGFNS states that around two-thirds of state boards require that exam for NCLEX-RN eligibility. Other destinations run their own regulators. Check the specific country and, in the US, the specific state board before choosing a school.

What is the difference between PNLE and NLE?

They refer to the same examination. PRC has used both Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination and Nurses Licensure Examination in its own result releases, and the terms are used interchangeably in practice.

Best Nursing Schools in the Philippines 2026

TL;DR: The best nursing schools in the Philippines include Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU), University of Santo Tomas, Silliman University, Saint Louis University, and the University of the Philippines Manila. These schools consistently post NLE passing rates well above the national average and produce board exam topnotchers year after year.

Introduction

Nursing remains one of the most in-demand professions in the Philippines and around the world. For aspiring nurses, the school you attend directly impacts your preparation for the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE), your clinical training quality, and your career prospects both locally and abroad.

The November 2025 PNLE posted a record-breaking 90.04% national passing rate, with 40,692 out of 45,192 examinees passing — the highest ever documented. But school-level performance varies dramatically. Some institutions consistently hit 100% passing rates, while others fall well below the national average.

This guide ranks the top 15 nursing schools in the Philippines based on recent NLE passing rates from PRC data, the number of topnotchers produced, accreditation status, clinical training facilities, and overall program reputation.

How This Ranking Is Built: PRC Licensure Data Only

Most "best nursing schools" lists in the Philippines are built from a mix of brand reputation, campus photos, and global university rankings that measure research output rather than whether graduates become nurses. This one uses a single primary input: performance in the Nurses Licensure Examination as published by the Professional Regulation Commission.

After every NLE cycle, PRC publishes a Performance of Schools report alongside the list of passers and the top ten highest places. That report lists every participating institution with its number of examinees, number of passers, and passing percentage, and PRC separately names the top performing schools among those with at least 100 examinees. That 100-examinee floor is PRC's own threshold, and it exists for a good reason: a program that graduates a dozen students a year can post 100 percent without that number meaning much.

The national baseline, cycle by cycle

A school's percentage only means something against the national rate for the same exam, and the national rate swings hard:

Exam cycle	Passers / Examinees	National passing rate
May 2025 PNLE	6,935 / 10,770	64.39%
November 2025 PNLE	40,692 / 45,192	90.04%
February 2026 PNLE	3,611 / 8,162	44.24%

All three figures are as stated in PRC's own results announcements.

The reason for the swing is composition, not difficulty. November is the main graduation cycle and is dominated by first-time takers, while the off-cycle exams carry a much heavier share of repeaters. A 95 percent school in February 2026 has beaten the field by more than 50 points; the same 95 percent in November 2025 is below the national average. Never compare a school rate from one cycle against a national average from another.

What this ranking deliberately ignores

Global university rankings. QS and THE score research output and international faculty. Neither predicts NLE performance.
Facilities marketing. Simulation labs photograph well. The number that matters is what the base hospital rotation actually delivers.
Single-cycle spikes. One perfect cycle is not a track record. CHED's own sanctions framework under CMO 15 s. 2017 judges programs on a three-year average licensure performance, and so should you.

How to read the entries below

Where a figure comes directly from a PRC results release, we cite the cycle. Where a figure comes from secondary reporting of PRC's Performance of Schools file, from a school's own announcements, or from an accreditation body rather than PRC, we say so rather than presenting it as PRC data. Entries showing ranges, approximations, or multi-year streaks fall in that second group: treat them as indicative and verify against the current PRC report before deciding.

For the cycle-by-cycle school tables, see our companion guide to top nursing schools by NLE passing rate.

Top 15 Nursing Schools in the Philippines

1. Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU)

Our Lady of Fatima University emerged as the nation's top nursing school in the November 2025 NLE, producing 3,467 newly licensed nurses — the most of any school among 477 participating institutions. OLFU posted a 93.32% passing rate and yielded 10 topnotchers, a record-breaking achievement. With campuses in Valenzuela, Antipolo, and Pampanga, OLFU has built a powerhouse nursing program backed by extensive hospital partnerships.

2. University of Santo Tomas (UST)

University of Santo Tomas in Manila has one of the oldest and most prestigious nursing programs in the country. UST achieved a perfect 100% passing rate in the November 2024 NLE and consistently posts rates above 99% in recent examinations. The UST College of Nursing, founded in 1946, benefits from the UST Hospital as its primary training ground.

3. Silliman University (Dumaguete)

Silliman University in Dumaguete City has maintained a remarkable streak of 100% NLE passing rates spanning over eight consecutive years. In the November 2024 PNLE, all 83 examinees passed, with three topnotchers. Silliman maintains a consistent record of 100% passing average with 108 topnotchers produced since 1951. It is the oldest nursing school in Southeast Asia.

4. Saint Louis University (Baguio)

Saint Louis University achieved a perfect 100% passing rate (242 out of 242) in the November 2025 NLE, with 8 topnotchers. SLU's School of Nursing, Allied Health and Biological Sciences has established itself as one of the top-performing programs in the country, consistently appearing in the PRC's list of top-performing schools.

5. University of the Philippines Manila

University of the Philippines Manila is the health sciences campus of the UP System. In the November 2025 NLE, UP Manila produced the second-place topnotcher. As the premier state university, UP Manila offers affordable, high-quality nursing education with strong clinical rotations at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the country's largest government hospital.

6. University of Pangasinan

The University of Pangasinan was named the top-performing school (100+ examinees) in the May 2025 NLE, producing 354 registered nurses out of 357 takers for a stunning 99.16% passing rate. This performance put them at the top of the country's nursing schools for that examination cycle.

7. St. Paul University Tuguegarao

St. Paul University in Tuguegarao ranked second nationally in the May 2025 NLE with a 98.94% passing rate. The university's nursing program is known for its strict academic standards and comprehensive clinical training programs.

8. Centro Escolar University (CEU)

Centro Escolar University in Manila offers a PAASCU Level III-accredited nursing program — one of the highest accreditation levels achievable. CEU nursing graduates consistently perform well in the NLE, and the school's location in the university belt provides access to multiple hospital affiliations for clinical rotations.

9. West Visayas State University (Iloilo)

WVSU in La Paz, Iloilo City, achieved a perfect 100% passing rate in the November 2025 NLE. As a state university, WVSU offers one of the most affordable quality nursing programs in the country and is considered the top nursing school in Western Visayas.

10. Central Philippine University (Iloilo)

CPU in Iloilo City also posted a 100% NLE passing rate in the November 2025 examination. The Baptist-affiliated university has a long tradition of nursing education excellence in the Visayas region.

11. Cebu Doctors' University

Cebu Doctors' University (CDU) in Cebu City boasts a 95-99% NLE passing rate and holds the distinction of being the first College of Nursing in Cebu. Its PAASCU Level III accreditation and direct affiliation with Cebu Doctors' University Hospital give students unparalleled clinical exposure.

12. Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro)

Xavier University achieved a 100% NLE passing rate in the November 2024 PNLE. The Jesuit institution in Cagayan de Oro is known for its holistic approach to nursing education, combining academic rigor with community health immersion programs.

13. Gordon College (Olongapo)

Gordon College in Olongapo City ranked third nationally in the May 2025 NLE with a 98.29% passing rate. This public college offers affordable nursing education with strong government support and modern simulation laboratories.

14. St. Paul University Iloilo

SPU Iloilo posted a 100% NLE passing rate in the November 2025 examination, continuing the St. Paul network's tradition of nursing excellence. The university provides a well-rounded nursing curriculum with strong community health components.

15. Southern Luzon State University — Lucban

SLSU Lucban achieved a 100% NLE passing rate in the May 2025 examination. This state university in Quezon Province offers an affordable path to a nursing career with solid board exam preparation.

Comparison Table

School	Location	NLE Passing Rate	Accreditation	Key Strength
OLFU	Valenzuela	93.32% (Nov 2025)	PAASCU	Most passers nationwide, 10 topnotchers
UST	Manila	~100% (Nov 2024)	PAASCU Level IV	Oldest program, UST Hospital
Silliman University	Dumaguete	100% (8+ years)	PAASCU Level IV	108 topnotchers since 1951
Saint Louis University	Baguio	100% (Nov 2025)	PAASCU	242/242 passers, 8 topnotchers
UP Manila	Manila	High 90s%	CHED COE	PGH clinical training
Univ. of Pangasinan	Dagupan	99.16% (May 2025)	PAASCU	Top school (100+ takers)
St. Paul U. Tuguegarao	Tuguegarao	98.94% (May 2025)	PAASCU	Consistent top performer
CEU	Manila	Above national avg	PAASCU Level III	Multiple hospital affiliations
WVSU	Iloilo	100% (Nov 2025)	CHED COE	Top state univ. for nursing
CPU	Iloilo	100% (Nov 2025)	PAASCU	Strong Visayas reputation
Cebu Doctors' Univ.	Cebu City	95-99%	PAASCU Level III	First nursing college in Cebu
Xavier University	Cagayan de Oro	100% (Nov 2024)	PAASCU	Jesuit, community health focus
Gordon College	Olongapo	98.29% (May 2025)	CHED	Affordable, modern sim labs
St. Paul U. Iloilo	Iloilo	100% (Nov 2025)	PAASCU	Strong St. Paul network
SLSU Lucban	Lucban, Quezon	100% (May 2025)	CHED	Affordable state university

Sourcing note, so you can weigh each row properly: rates given for a single named cycle reflect that cycle's PRC Performance of Schools reporting. Entries shown as a range ("95-99%"), as an approximation ("~100%"), or as a qualitative band ("High 90s%", "Above national avg") are not direct quotations from a PRC release and should be treated as indicative until you check the current PRC report. The same applies to multi-year streak claims and lifetime topnotcher counts, which typically originate from the schools themselves rather than from PRC. Accreditation levels come from PAASCU and CHED designations, not from PRC.

How to Choose the Right Nursing School

Check NLE passing rates over multiple years. A single year of high performance can be an outlier. Look for schools that consistently perform above the national average across several examination cycles. PRC publishes these results after every board exam.

Visit the clinical training facilities. Nursing is a hands-on profession. Schools affiliated with large hospitals — like UST Hospital, PGH, or Cebu Doctors' University Hospital — give students more diverse clinical exposure.

Consider accreditation level. PAASCU Level III and Level IV accreditation indicates a program that meets the highest quality standards. CHED Centers of Excellence (COE) designation is another strong quality marker.

Factor in total cost. Tuition for private nursing schools ranges from PHP 60,000 to PHP 150,000+ per semester. State universities like WVSU, UP Manila, and Gordon College offer quality education at a fraction of the cost.

Think about location and board exam review. Being near quality NLE review centers in Manila or major cities can be an advantage when it's time to prepare for the boards.

Which School Produces the Most Nurses?

Volume is a separate question from percentage, and worth answering on its own. Our Lady of Fatima University produced the most passers of any school in the November 2025 cycle, reported at 3,467 newly licensed nurses across 477 participating institutions. Sustaining a rate above the national average while putting thousands of examinees through the exam is a different kind of achievement from a perfect score on a cohort of 40, and both belong in a ranking as long as you understand which one you are reading.

That is also why we quote raw passer and examinee counts wherever PRC publishes them. A percentage on its own hides the size of the cohort behind it, and cohort size is exactly what tells you whether a program is selective, large, or both.

Reviewing for the Boards

Most nursing graduates enroll in a review centre before sitting the NLE. Structured programs from providers such as CEVAS, Carl Balita Review Center, and Ray A. Gapuz Review Center are the common route. Review centre performance is not part of this ranking, since PRC attributes results to the school of graduation rather than to any review provider.

Ready to start your nursing career? Explore nursing schools near you on SchoolFinderPH — browse schools in Manila, Cebu City, Iloilo City, and more.

Sources

PRC publishes its Performance of Schools report as a separate file with each results release. Where this guide quotes a per-school figure that we could not match to a PRC release directly, it is labelled as indicative in the comparison table above. Passing rates change every cycle, so check the most recent PRC report before making a decision.