TL;DR: TIP's own published fee notice puts total school fees for college and graduate programs at roughly PHP 39,000 to PHP 47,000 per term across all programs and year levels, making it one of the more affordable ABET-accredited engineering schools in Metro Manila. TIP has two campuses (Manila and Quezon City), offers engineering, architecture, IT, and business programs, runs its own scholarship grants, and lets students pay tuition in 3-to-12-month installments through partners like Bukas. Always confirm your exact assessment with the TIP registrar since fees are program- and year-specific.
Introduction
If you're weighing the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) against Mapua, FEU Tech, or a state university engineering program, tuition is usually the first question. TIP has built its reputation as a private, non-sectarian engineering and technology school since 1962, with ABET-accredited engineering programs and CHED recognition as a Center of Excellence in engineering, IT, and business administration. It also costs noticeably less per term than some of its private-school peers, which is why "tip tuition fee" is one of the most searched terms among Filipino families comparing engineering schools.
This guide walks through what TIP actually charges based on its own published fee notice, how costs differ by program and campus, what other fees to expect, how TIP's board exam track record looks, and what scholarships are available. Every figure here is sourced and hedged where TIP does not publish an exact breakdown, so treat this as a planning tool, not a final quote. Only the registrar's official assessment is authoritative.
How much is TIP tuition per semester?
TIP's own enrollment fee notice states that total school fees for college and graduate programs generally range from PHP 39,000 to PHP 47,000 per term, applicable to all programs and levels, whether you are a new or continuing student. This total bundles tuition with miscellaneous and laboratory charges rather than listing tuition alone, which is common practice among Philippine private schools.
For senior high school, TIP's notice lists total fees around PHP 39,000 for Grade 11 and around PHP 44,000 for Grade 12, with the exact amount depending on your chosen payment scheme (cash, installment, or online payment channel).
Some third-party sources cite a per-unit rate of roughly PHP 1,200 to 1,300 per unit for TIP, which would put a full 24-to-27-unit semester load in a similar PHP 30,000-40,000 range before miscellaneous fees. This per-unit figure is not confirmed on TIP's own site, so treat it as directional only.
Confirm with the TIP registrar or admissions office before enrolling since your actual assessment depends on your specific program, year level, number of units, and any lab or fieldwork components that semester.
How does tuition differ by program (engineering, IT, architecture)?
TIP does not publish a full per-program tuition matrix on its public pages, but the school's own fee notice frames its total school fees as a single band (PHP 39,000-47,000 per term) that applies "for all programs and levels." In practice, expect the top of that range to lean toward programs with heavier laboratory or studio components, such as:
- Engineering programs (chemical, civil, computer, electrical, electronics, industrial, marine, and mechanical engineering) — typically carry laboratory and shop fees on top of base tuition.
- Architecture — a five-year program with studio, drafting, and materials costs that can push miscellaneous fees higher.
- Computer Science, Information Systems, and Information Technology — usually land at the lower-to-middle end of the range since they carry fewer heavy lab components than engineering or architecture.
- Accountancy, Accounting Technology, Education, Political Science, and Marketing Management — generally the least equipment-intensive programs offered, and often priced at or below the midpoint of TIP's published band.
Because TIP has not published exact per-program breakdowns publicly, ask the admissions office for your specific program's assessment before committing, especially if you're comparing engineering versus a business or IT track.
| Program group | Where offered | Relative cost within TIP's PHP 39,000-47,000/term band |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering (ChE, CE, CpE, EE, ECE, IE, MarE, ME) | Manila; select programs also QC | Mid to upper end (lab/shop fees) |
| Architecture | Manila and QC | Upper end (studio/materials fees) |
| Computer Science / IS / IT | Manila and QC | Lower to mid end |
| Accountancy / Accounting Technology | QC | Lower to mid end |
| Education / Political Science / Marketing Management | QC | Lower end |
Table reflects TIP's own published total-fee band, not confirmed per-program figures. Ask the registrar for your program's exact assessment.
What other fees should I expect besides tuition?
TIP's published total school fee figure (PHP 39,000-47,000 per term) is meant to already include tuition plus standard miscellaneous and laboratory fees, unlike some schools that quote tuition alone and add fees separately. Still, budget for costs typically outside that bundle at most Philippine private schools:
- Books, drafting or lab tools, and uniform costs (if required)
- ID, insurance, and student activity fees that may already be folded into the "miscellaneous" portion
- Review fees or exam fees in your terminal year if your program requires a licensure exam
- Graduation fees in your final term
Ask for an itemized breakdown (not just the total) when you get your official assessment, so you know exactly what's bundled in and what you'll need to budget separately.
Is TIP affordable compared to other private engineering schools?
TIP is generally regarded as one of the more budget-conscious ABET-accredited private engineering schools in Metro Manila. Its published total fee band (PHP 39,000-47,000 per term) sits below what several larger private universities charge for equivalent engineering programs, which is a major reason it draws students who want an accredited engineering degree without university-flagship pricing.
That said, "affordable" is relative. State universities like PUP, TUP, or a CHED-subsidized program will still cost less out of pocket than TIP for eligible students. If your family qualifies for free tuition under the UniFAST/CHED programs at a public school, that route is cheaper than any private school, TIP included. TIP's value proposition is affordability relative to other private schools, not being the cheapest option overall.
For more affordability comparisons, see our guides on affordable colleges in the Philippines and cheapest vs. most expensive universities in the Philippines.
Can I pay TIP tuition in installments?
Yes. TIP partners with tuition financing platforms, including Bukas, which offers 3, 6, 9, or 12-month installment plans that can cover a partial or full term's tuition and fees for eligible students. Bukas's published terms for TIP note interest ranging from 1.90% to 4.90% per month, plus a one-time service fee of 4.50% to 10%, depending on the plan length and borrower profile. TIP also accepts direct payment through PayApp, DragonPay, 7-Eleven, BDO, and Landbank online banking channels per its own enrollment guidelines.
Before enrolling in any installment plan, calculate the total cost of borrowing (principal plus interest plus service fee), not just the size of the monthly payment, since shorter plans usually cost less overall even though the monthly amount is higher.
Does TIP offer scholarships?
Yes, several, according to TIP's own scholarship page:
- Engineering and Architecture Scholarship Grants — covers Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental and Sanitary Engineering, Architecture, Marine Engineering, and Marine Transportation (Manila campus only), with 50 total grantee slots.
- Dr. Teresita U. Quirino Scholarship Grants — for Education and Accountancy programs, Quezon City campus only, with 10 total grantee slots.
- Free tuition for high-honors SHS graduates — TIP grants free tuition and basic miscellaneous fees throughout the program for senior high school graduates who finished with high honors.
- DOST-SEI graduate scholarships — available for STEM-related graduate study, including science and math education tracks.
Scholarship slots are limited and typically require maintaining a minimum GPA each term, so confirm current eligibility criteria and application deadlines directly with the TIP scholarships office.
Is TIP good for board exams?
TIP has posted strong results in select engineering licensure exams. In the August 2024 Registered Master Electrician (RME) licensure exam, TIP-Manila was the lone top performing school nationwide, with a 90.91% passing rate (20 of 22 examinees passing). That result reflects one exam cycle and one specific licensure track, not a blanket claim across every engineering board exam TIP offers, so always check the current Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) top schools list for the specific exam and year relevant to your program.
TIP's engineering programs (from its Manila campus) also hold ABET accreditation, first granted in 2013, which is considered the international gold standard in engineering and computing education accreditation. In 2016, CHED designated TIP as a Center of Excellence and Center of Development for its engineering, information technology, and business administration programs, with autonomous status renewed through 2027.
For board exam prep after graduation, see our Civil Engineering board exam guide and Mechanical Engineering board exam guide.
TIP Manila vs. TIP Quezon City: what's the difference?
TIP operates two Metro Manila campuses with overlapping but not identical program offerings.
| Feature | TIP Manila | TIP Quezon City |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Quiapo area (P. Casal St. and Arlegui St.) | Aurora Boulevard, Cubao |
| Engineering & Architecture scholarship | Yes (50 grantee slots) | Not listed |
| Dr. Teresita U. Quirino Scholarship (Education/Accountancy) | Not listed | Yes (10 grantee slots) |
| Marine Engineering / Marine Transportation | Yes | Not confirmed |
| ABET-accredited engineering programs | Yes (since 2013) | Confirm per program |
Since scholarship availability and some engineering specializations differ by campus, confirm which campus offers your intended program and its associated scholarships before applying.
How to apply and enroll at TIP
- Check program offerings per campus on TIP's official undergraduate programs page, since not every course is available at both Manila and QC.
- Prepare admission requirements (report card/Form 138, good moral certificate, birth certificate, and other documents TIP's admissions office lists for your applicant type).
- Apply through TIP's online application process as outlined in TIP's admission requirements page.
- Get your official fee assessment once accepted, and ask for an itemized breakdown rather than relying on the general PHP 39,000-47,000 range in this guide.
- Explore scholarship and installment options early, since scholarship slots are limited and installment plans need to be arranged before the payment deadline.
- Register through TIP's EmpowerED ARIS student portal once enrolled, where TIP sends your pre-registration form with assessed fees and payment instructions.
If you're still deciding between TIP and other schools, compare programs and costs using our guides on the best engineering schools in the Philippines, best IT schools in the Philippines, and the Mapua tuition fee guide. If you're still in senior high and deciding on a strand, see our guide on choosing the STEM strand for engineering.
Disclaimer
Tuition, fees, scholarship slots, and board exam results change every academic year and exam cycle. The figures in this guide are drawn from TIP's own published fee notices and independent board exam reporting as of mid-2026, but they are not a substitute for your official assessment. Always confirm current tuition, fees, and scholarship terms directly with the TIP registrar, admissions office, or scholarships office, and verify board exam results through the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
Sources
- TIP Enrollment Guidelines - Technological Institute of the Philippines, official total school fee range and payment channels
- TIP Scholarships - Technological Institute of the Philippines, official scholarship grant listings and grantee slots
- TIP Undergraduate Programs - Technological Institute of the Philippines, program offerings by campus
- T.I.P. Tuition Installment Plans (Student Loans) - Bukas, installment plan terms and interest/service fee ranges
- Technological Institute of the Philippines - Wikipedia - founding year, campuses, ABET/CHED Center of Excellence status
- Performance of Schools: August 2025 Electrical Engineer REE, RME board exam results - The Summit Express, cites TIP-Manila's August 2024 RME passing rate of 90.91%
- 5 Courses You Can Take in TIP Aside From Engineering - Bukas, non-engineering program overview
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