TL;DR: Adamson University's own tentative fee schedule for incoming freshmen (first semester) shows a range of about PHP 44,000 (BA Political Science) to PHP 74,000 (BS Nursing), with most engineering and computing programs landing between PHP 56,000 and 73,000. That places Adamson in the mid-range tier of Manila private universities, cheaper than UST, FEU, and San Beda in most programs, and far below DLSU or Ateneo. Always confirm the latest figures with the AdU registrar, since fees are revised every school year.
Introduction
Adamson University (AdU) in Ermita, Manila is one of the Philippines' best-known Catholic universities run by the Vincentian Fathers (Congregation of the Mission), and it has a long-standing reputation for engineering and science programs. If you're comparing colleges in Manila and "adamson university tuition fee" is the exact phrase you searched, you're probably trying to answer a simple question: can my family afford this, and how does it stack up against UST, FEU, or DLSU?
This guide breaks down Adamson's tuition by college and program using the university's own published fee schedule, explains what other fees to expect on top of tuition, compares Adamson's cost position against other Manila private schools, and lays out the scholarship options available if you need help covering the bill. Every figure below is sourced and dated. Where Adamson has not published an exact number for a category (like specific miscellaneous fee line items), we say so rather than guess.
How much is Adamson University tuition per semester?
Tuition and fees for incoming freshmen in first semester range from roughly PHP 44,000 to PHP 74,000, according to Adamson's own tentative fee schedule for SY 2026-2027. The exact figure depends heavily on your program, since Adamson bills per lecture and laboratory unit, and lab-heavy programs (nursing, engineering, pharmacy, computer science) cost noticeably more than lecture-only programs (political science, communication, philosophy).
These published figures are for new/incoming freshmen only and already bundle tuition with other fees charged at enrollment. Continuing students may see different totals depending on units taken per term and any fee adjustments between school years. Adamson also publishes a separate fee schedule for its Graduate School, Senior High School, Basic Education, College of Law, and Doctor of Pharmacy programs.
Adamson University tuition fee by college and program
Below is the tentative first-semester tuition and fee schedule for incoming freshmen, SY 2026-2027, as published on Adamson's official school-fee page. Figures include tuition plus other fees billed at enrollment, in PHP.
| College | Program | Units (Lec/Lab) | Tentative 1st Sem Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | BS Architecture | 16 Lec / 4 Lab | PHP 56,115 |
| Business Administration | BS Accountancy | 29 Lec | PHP 67,662 |
| Business Administration | BSBA Financial Management | 23 Lec | PHP 53,241 |
| Business Administration | BSBA Marketing Mgmt (Digital Marketing) | 23 Lec | PHP 52,351 |
| Business Administration | BS Hospitality Management | 23 Lec | PHP 53,971 |
| Business Administration | BS Tourism Management | 23 Lec | PHP 53,971 |
| Education & Liberal Arts | BA Political Science | 17 Lec | PHP 43,844 |
| Education & Liberal Arts | Elementary / Secondary Education | 29 Lec | PHP 63,735 |
| Education & Liberal Arts | BA Communication | 23 Lec | PHP 52,517 |
| Engineering | BS Civil Engineering | 27 Lec / 1 Lab | PHP 63,945 |
| Engineering | BS Electrical Engineering | 23 Lec / 2 Lab | PHP 61,769 |
| Engineering | BS Mechanical Engineering | 26 Lec / 1 Lab | PHP 61,805 |
| Engineering | BS Computer Engineering | 17 Lec / 3 Lab | PHP 56,109 |
| Engineering | BS Mining Engineering | 26 Lec / 2 Lab | PHP 67,461 |
| Nursing | BS Nursing | 23 Lec / 4 Lab | PHP 74,221 |
| Pharmacy | BS Pharmacy | 27 Lec / 2 Lab | PHP 70,890 |
| Pharmacy | Doctor of Pharmacy | 27 Lec | PHP 69,660 |
| Science | BS Biology | 17 Lec / 4 Lab | PHP 60,022 |
| Science | BS Psychology | 20 Lec / 2 Lab | PHP 55,525 |
| Computing & IT | BS Computer Science | 21 Lec / 3 Lab | PHP 66,873 |
| Computing & IT | BS Computer Science & Info. Engineering (Dual Degree) | 24 Lec / 3 Lab | PHP 72,999 |
| Computing & IT | BS Information Technology | 18 Lec / 3 Lab | PHP 60,294 |
This is not the complete program list, just a representative spread across colleges. Full-year cost for most programs runs roughly double the first-semester figure above, though second-semester totals can shift slightly with different unit loads. Confirm the exact figure for your intended program and year level with the Adamson registrar before enrolling, since these are tentative figures subject to Board of Trustees approval each year.
Is Adamson University affordable?
Relative to other well-known Manila private universities, yes, Adamson sits in the mid-range. Based on SchoolFinderPH's broader university tuition comparison, Adamson's full-year cost (roughly PHP 88,000-148,000 per year based on doubling the freshman first-semester figures above) lands below UST, FEU, and San Beda, and far below DLSU or Ateneo.
| University | Approx. Tuition Per Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| University of Santo Tomas (UST) | PHP 100,000-160,000 | Larger, older, broader program range |
| Far Eastern University (FEU) | PHP 90,000-130,000 | Similar mid-range positioning |
| San Beda University | PHP 90,000-140,000 | Known for Law |
| Adamson University | PHP 88,000-148,000 | Strong in Engineering, Nursing, Pharmacy |
| National University (NU) | PHP 85,000-120,000 | Merit and athletic scholarships common |
| De La Salle University (DLSU) | PHP 180,000-220,000 | Trimester system, higher per-unit cost |
| Ateneo de Manila University | PHP 220,000-280,000 | Elite tier |
Figures for UST, FEU, San Beda, NU, DLSU, and Ateneo are sourced from SchoolFinderPH's own cheapest to most expensive universities guide; treat these as directional ranges, not exact quotes, since none of these schools' current fee schedules were independently re-verified for this article. Adamson's own figures above come directly from its official fee schedule.
Quotable stat: Adamson's most expensive undergraduate program (BS Nursing, ~PHP 74,000 first semester) still costs less than UST's typical semester tuition for comparable health-science programs.
Quotable stat: Adamson's cheapest lecture-only program (BA Political Science, ~PHP 44,000 first semester) is roughly 40% less than its most lab-intensive offering (BS Nursing).
If your budget ceiling is closer to PHP 20,000-50,000 per year, Adamson will likely exceed it, and you may want to look at affordable private schools in Manila or low-tuition colleges in Manila instead. If your target range is closer to PHP 80,000-150,000 per year for a recognized Catholic university with strong engineering programs, Adamson fits squarely in that bracket alongside our broader list of best private schools in Manila.
What other fees should you budget for?
Adamson's published tentative fee schedule already folds tuition and other fees into the single per-semester figure shown above for incoming freshmen. Beyond that number, budget for:
- Down payment: PHP 5,000 due upon enrollment, per Adamson's official enrollment guide.
- Books, uniforms, and supplies: not itemized in Adamson's public fee schedule; budget based on your program's lab and material requirements.
- Miscellaneous fees for returning students: Adamson's page notes that "other miscellaneous fees are recommended to be paid onsite at the AdU Cashier," meaning some charges are not pre-itemized online and are best confirmed directly with the cashier's office each term.
- Review and licensure exam fees: relevant for board-exam programs like Nursing, Pharmacy, and Engineering, and typically paid separately in your final year.
Adamson also offers several discount categories referenced on its official fee page, including a discount for full tuition payment on or before enrollment, a sibling discount, a discount for alumni's children or siblings, a loyalty discount for Adamson's own Grade 12 graduates continuing into college, a discount for the top 1 and 2 graduates of a graduating batch, and a PWD discount. Exact percentages for each discount were not published on the page fetched for this article, so confirm current rates with the OSAS or Admissions Office.
How to pay: installment plans
Adamson accepts installment payment beyond the PHP 5,000 enrollment down payment. Third-party financing partners such as Bukas also offer extended 12-month installment plans specifically for Adamson students, letting families spread a semester's tuition across the school year instead of paying it in two or three lump sums. If cash flow (not total cost) is your main concern, ask Adamson's accounting office about in-house installment terms before turning to a third-party lender, since terms and any added interest or fees differ.
Does Adamson University offer scholarships?
Yes. Based on Adamson's own scholarship pages and its Office for Student Assistance and Scholarships (OSAS), the university runs several distinct programs:
- Academic Scholarship Program — for continuing students with strong grades; governed by a revised policy effective SY 2021-2022. Adamson's page references the policy but does not publish the exact GWA cutoff or discount percentage online, so confirm current terms with OSAS.
- Elite Scholarship — for incoming Senior High School graduates entering Civil, Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, or Chemistry. Per Adamson's own program description (via a scholarship listing site citing Adamson's materials), it covers full tuition and miscellaneous fees, a PHP 5,000 monthly allowance, an additional PHP 5,000 monthly for scholars maintaining a 95%+ GWA, and a board exam review subsidy. Requires a minimum 95% GWA with no failing grades, standing among top graduates of your SHS batch, and passing a qualifying exam in Math, Science, Chemistry, and English.
- Vincentian Scholarship — aimed at financially disadvantaged but academically qualified students, consistent with Adamson's Vincentian mission.
- Athletic Scholarship — for varsity athletes.
- Government-funded aid — Adamson accepts CHED grants-in-aid, DOST-SEI scholarships, and similar programs for eligible students in qualifying courses.
For a broader view of scholarship options across Philippine private universities, see our guides on private university scholarships in the Philippines and how to get a scholarship in the Philippines.
How to choose: is Adamson right for your budget?
- List your target programs. Use the table above to see whether your intended course lands closer to PHP 44,000 or PHP 74,000 per semester, then double it for a rough annual estimate.
- Compare against your ceiling. If Adamson's range is above what your family can sustain for four to five years, check affordable colleges in the Philippines for lower-cost alternatives, including free SUC options.
- Check program-specific reputation, not just price. Adamson's Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, and Industrial Engineering programs, along with its Teacher Education program, have all been recognized as CHED Centers of Development, which matters more than sticker price for board exam outcomes.
- Apply for scholarships before committing to full-price tuition. The Elite Scholarship and Academic Scholarship can cut your cost dramatically if your grades qualify.
- Ask about installment plans early, ideally before your enrollment date, so you're not caught needing a lump sum you don't have.
Sources
- Adamson University official school fee page — tentative tuition and fee schedule for incoming freshmen, SY 2026-2027
- Adamson University official tuition fee payment/modes page — down payment amount, discount categories, payment modes
- Adamson University Academic Scholarship Program page — reference to revised policy effective SY 2021-2022
- Iskolarships: Adamson University Elite Scholarship 2026-2027 — Elite Scholarship coverage and eligibility details, citing Adamson's own program materials
- Bukas: AdU 12-month tuition installment plans — third-party installment financing option for Adamson students
- Wikipedia: Adamson University — founding history, Vincentian affiliation date, CHED autonomous status, Centers of Development recognition
- SchoolFinderPH: Cheapest to Most Expensive Universities in the Philippines 2026 — comparative tuition ranges for UST, FEU, San Beda, NU, DLSU, and Ateneo
A note on these figures: tuition and fees at any Philippine university change year to year and can vary by year level, number of units taken, and any Board of Trustees adjustments. The figures above reflect Adamson's own tentative published schedule for incoming freshmen and should be treated as a planning reference, not a final quote. Always confirm the current, exact amount with the Adamson University registrar or cashier's office before enrolling.
Find your fit on SchoolFinderPH
Comparing Adamson against other Manila universities on cost alone only tells part of the story. Browse SchoolFinderPH to search verified Philippine schools by tuition range, program, and location, and check our related guides on private school tuition in Manila and Catholic school tuition in Manila to widen your comparison before you commit.
