IFSU and SLU, among top universities in PH – 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

Ifugao, Philippines – Ifugao State University (IFSU) and Saint Louis University (SLU) earned recognition as among the top-performing universities in the Philippines in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

The universities received their accolades during the Global Sustainable Development Congress held Wednesday, June 18, in Istanbul, Turkey.

THE Impact Rankings

THE global ranking, which is now in its sixth edition, evaluates universities based on their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Institutions, in order to qualify, were required to submit data for SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals) and at least three other SDGs.

The final scores were computed with SDG 17 carrying weight of 22 percent, while the top three performing SDGs contributed 26 percent each.

This year’s edition saw participation of 2,526 universities from 130 countries and regions.

IFSU ranked first in Cordillera and third in PH

Since it first joined the ranking last year, IFSU marked its second consecutive year as the highest-ranked university in Cordillera.

The university submitted data for all 17 SDGs and ranked highly in all of them.

The institution ranked first in the country for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger); second for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); third for both SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions); and fourth in SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14 (Life on Land).

IFSU further secured fifth in SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water); sixth in SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-Being) and SDG 17; and seventh in SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation) and SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy).

SLU as third-highest ranked universities in PH

SLU, based in Baguio, tied with IFSU in the 601-800 global bracket, making them the country’s third-highest ranked higher education institutions (HEIs), across public and private institutions.

SLU made a global impact through its strong performance in SDG 3, SDG 11, SDG 12, and SDG 17, reflecting its growing reputation for academic and social impact on national and global levels.

Other universities in Cordillera made it to THE 2025 rankings

Meanwhile, eight other universities in Cordillera made it to the world rankings.

Benguet State University, Kalinga State University, and Mountain Province State University were placed within 801-1000 band. Cordillera Career Development College and University of Cordilleras landed in 1001-1500 bracket, while King’s College of the Philippines and University of Baguio were listed under 1501+ band.

In a statement, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) – Cordillera congratulated the institutions in the region for their recent feat.

“Our HEIs have demonstrated that sustainability, innovation, and local wisdom can go hand in hand in shaping higher education that transforms both local communities and the global landscape,” it noted.