Quick Answer: Private school tuition in Metro Manila spans an enormous range — from about ₱36,000 per year at budget chains like APEC Schools, through ₱100,000–₱270,000 at elite universities like Ateneo, La Salle, and UST, all the way to ₱900,000–₱1,500,000 at top international schools. Your final bill depends on the school tier, grade level, and program.
Introduction
Metro Manila is the epicenter of Philippine private education. The National Capital Region is home to the country's most prestigious universities, its priciest international schools, and hundreds of smaller private institutions that serve every budget in between.
But "how much does private school cost in Manila?" is a deceptively simple question. A year at International School Manila can exceed ₱1.5 million, while a year at an APEC Schools campus costs under ₱45,000. Same city, wildly different price tags.
This guide organizes Manila's private school landscape into clear tiers so you can find where your family fits. All figures are drawn from official school publications, verified databases, and recent PhilStar and Preview.ph reports.
Budget Tier: ₱30,000–₱60,000 Per Year
Budget private schools in Manila are typically non-sectarian chains or smaller community institutions. They offer DepEd-aligned K-12 curricula without the bells and whistles of premium campuses.
Schools in This Range
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APEC Schools — A joint venture between Ayala Corporation and Pearson PLC, APEC charges ₱36,000–₱44,000 per year for Grades 7–12 in Metro Manila. Tuition includes access to tech-enabled learning with tablets and laptops. APEC operates more than 30 campuses across Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.
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Colegio de San Juan de Letran (Basic Education) — Letran's Grade School and High School tuition for SY 2025–2026 starts at approximately ₱31,000–₱50,000 per semester for Senior High School, depending on the strand. That puts annual SHS costs at roughly ₱62,000–₱100,000.
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Community and parish-based schools — Dozens of smaller private schools throughout Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan, and Pasay offer annual tuition below ₱50,000. These schools often accept DepEd ESC vouchers.
Mid-Range Tier: ₱80,000–₱180,000 Per Year
This is where most of Manila's well-known sectarian universities and established private colleges sit. These schools have strong alumni networks, solid board exam records, and campuses that range from historic to modern.
Schools in This Range
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University of Santo Tomas (UST) — The oldest existing university in Asia charges ₱53,860–₱79,343 for the first-year, first-term full payment depending on the college. Tuition per lecture unit is ₱1,959. Total annual costs (two semesters plus miscellaneous) typically fall between ₱110,000 and ₱160,000 depending on the program.
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Far Eastern University (FEU) — FEU's tuition structure is comparable to UST, with most undergraduate programs costing ₱50,000–₱70,000 per semester. Health sciences programs like nursing run higher.
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Mapua University — Known for engineering and IT, Mapua's quarterly system means students pay tuition four times a year. Annual totals typically land between ₱100,000 and ₱160,000 for most programs. Mapua announced a 3% tuition increase for A.Y. 2026–2027.
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Miriam College — This Quezon City women's school offers K-12 and college programs with annual fees in the ₱80,000–₱150,000 range for college and comparable rates for basic education.
Premium Tier: ₱200,000–₱300,000 Per Year
Manila's premium tier includes the "Big 4" private universities and well-known international-style local schools.
Schools in This Range
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Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) — For SY 2025–2026, tuition per unit is roughly ₱5,200. A 20-unit semester costs ₱104,420 in tuition alone. Add basic fees (₱16,574) and other fees (₱7,200), and you get approximately ₱128,194 per semester — about ₱256,000 per year. For A.Y. 2026–2027, the average 20-unit semester rises to ₱117,000 in tuition, pushing annual totals past ₱280,000.
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De La Salle University (DLSU) — DLSU runs on a trimester system. Full-payment rates per trimester range from ₱49,420 to ₱64,815 depending on the program. Annual cost across three trimesters: roughly ₱225,000–₱270,000. DLSU announced no tuition hike for A.Y. 2026–2027.
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Southville International School and Colleges — Southville offers both local and IB curricula. Annual tuition reaches ₱190,000+ and varies by grade level and campus. The IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12 is at the top of the range.
Ultra-Premium Tier: ₱500,000–₱1,500,000+ Per Year
Manila's international schools cater to expat families, diplomats, and affluent Filipino households seeking globally portable curricula (IB, British, American).
Schools in This Range
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International School Manila (ISM) — The most expensive school in the Philippines. Annual tuition for primary students runs ₱650,000–₱950,000+, while secondary/IBDP tuition climbs to ₱800,000–₱1,500,000+. One-time matriculation and facilities fees total USD 9,000 (roughly ₱504,000). Application fee: USD 600.
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The British School Manila (BSM) — BSM charges a mix of GBP and PHP. Annual tuition for Reception to Year 6: GBP 7,320 + ₱526,560. For Year 12–13: GBP 9,690 + ₱697,155. Add the Capital Development Fee of ₱143,475 per year and an entrance fee of ₱339,450 upon acceptance.
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Nord Anglia International School Manila — Annual tuition ranges from approximately ₱455,000 to ₱1,570,000 depending on the year level.
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Brent International School Manila — Located in Binan, Laguna, Brent charges around ₱980,000 per year for high school.
Metro Manila Tuition Comparison Table
| School | Level | Annual Tuition (Est.) | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| APEC Schools | Grades 7–12 | ₱36,000–₱44,000 | Budget |
| UST | College | ₱110,000–₱160,000 | Mid-Range |
| FEU | College | ₱100,000–₱140,000 | Mid-Range |
| Mapua University | College | ₱100,000–₱160,000 | Mid-Range |
| Ateneo de Manila | College | ₱256,000–₱280,000+ | Premium |
| De La Salle University | College | ₱225,000–₱270,000 | Premium |
| Southville International | K-12 (IB) | ₱190,000–₱300,000+ | Premium |
| ISM | K-12 | ₱650,000–₱1,500,000+ | Ultra-Premium |
| British School Manila | K-12 | ₱700,000–₱1,200,000+ | Ultra-Premium |
| Nord Anglia | K-12 | ₱455,000–₱1,570,000 | Ultra-Premium |
Figures based on most recent published rates (SY 2024–2026). Confirm with each school for exact 2026 numbers.
How to Choose the Right Manila Private School
1. Set a Realistic Total Budget
Tuition is the headline number, but total annual cost includes miscellaneous fees, books (₱5,000–₱15,000), uniforms (₱3,000–₱8,000), transportation, meals, and extracurricular fees. At international schools, add technology fees, capital development fees, and re-enrollment deposits.
2. Match Curriculum to Goals
If your child will study and work in the Philippines, the DepEd K-12 curriculum at schools like UST, Ateneo, and La Salle is more than sufficient. If you plan to move abroad or want direct pathways to foreign universities, look at IB or British curriculum schools.
3. Consider Commute Time
Manila traffic is no joke. A school that is 10 km away can mean a 90-minute commute. Factor in transportation costs and quality of life when choosing between a closer mid-range school and a farther premium one.
4. Explore Scholarships and Discounts
Ateneo, La Salle, UST, FEU, and Mapua all offer merit-based and need-based scholarships. Even international schools like ISM have limited financial aid. Always ask the admissions office.
5. Use Government Subsidies
DepEd's ESC and SHS Voucher Program can offset ₱10,000–₱22,500 per year at participating schools. UP and other state universities offer free tuition under RA 10931.
Understanding Tuition Systems in Manila
Manila schools use different academic calendar and payment systems, which makes direct comparisons tricky if you are not paying attention.
Semester system (two terms per year) is used by most schools including UST, Ateneo, FEU, and Mapua (quarterly). Your annual cost is roughly tuition-per-semester multiplied by two.
Trimester system is used by De La Salle University. Students pay tuition three times per year instead of two. This is why DLSU's per-term cost looks lower than Ateneo's, but the annual total is comparable. When comparing DLSU to semester-based schools, always multiply the per-trimester cost by three.
Quarterly system is used by Mapua University. Students pay four times per year. Again, the per-quarter figure looks deceptively low until you multiply by four.
International schools often use a three-term or annual billing system. ISM and BSM bill in a mix of USD, GBP, and PHP, which adds currency risk to your budgeting. If the peso weakens against the dollar or pound, your effective tuition goes up even without the school raising rates.
When comparing tuition across these systems, always convert to annual cost and include all mandatory fees. A school charging ₱65,000 per trimester three times a year (₱195,000) costs less than one charging ₱100,000 per semester twice (₱200,000), even though the per-term number is higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Ateneo de Manila tuition per year?
For SY 2025–2026, approximately ₱256,000 per year for a standard 20-unit per semester load. For SY 2026–2027, expect around ₱280,000+ based on announced increases.
How much is La Salle (DLSU) tuition per year?
DLSU operates on a trimester system. Annual tuition ranges from roughly ₱225,000 to ₱270,000 depending on the program. No tuition hike was announced for A.Y. 2026–2027.
What is the cheapest good private school in Manila?
APEC Schools offers quality private education for ₱36,000–₱44,000 per year. For college, schools like FEU and UST offer competitive tuition with strong academic outcomes.
How much does International School Manila cost?
ISM tuition ranges from ₱650,000 to over ₱1,500,000 per year, depending on grade level. One-time enrollment fees add approximately ₱504,000.
Are there private schools in Manila under ₱50,000 per year?
Yes. APEC Schools, some parish schools, and smaller community institutions offer tuition below ₱50,000. See our separate guide on affordable private schools in Manila.
Is it worth paying for an international school in Manila?
It depends on your goals. International schools offer globally recognized diplomas (IB, IGCSE, AP) and direct pathways to foreign universities. If your family plans to stay in the Philippines, elite local schools like Ateneo and La Salle offer excellent education at a fraction of the cost.
When should I apply for the next school year?
Most Manila private schools open admissions between October and February. International schools often have rolling admissions. Start early — popular schools fill up quickly.
Find Your School
Metro Manila has hundreds of private schools across every budget and curriculum. Instead of calling each one, use SchoolFinderPH to compare tuition, read reviews, and filter by location.