VSU enters 2026 QS World University Rankings

Visayas State University (VSU) has reached a new milestone after being included in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, marking its first appearance in one of the world’s leading evaluations of higher education institutions. 

VSU is the only university from Eastern Visayas to be ranked this year, placing within the 1101–1200 band worldwide and 173rd in Southeast Asia.

The university earned its strongest scores in academic reputation (rank 401+ with a score of 20.6), citations per paper (rank 501+ with a score of 21.7), and faculty/student ratio (rank 501+ with a score of 16.2).

The QS World University Rankings, produced by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds, assesses more than 1,500 institutions worldwide using indicators such as faculty credentials, employability of graduates, and global engagement.

In 2023, Visayas State University retained its QS Stars 3-Star rating, confirming its standing as a nationally recognized institution that is gradually gaining visibility abroad. The rating also indicates that VSU continues to deliver credible research output and produces graduates who are competitive and sought after by employers.

VSU’s inclusion in the QS rankings builds on its consistent performance in other international assessments. 

The university continues to appear in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings with an overall rank of 1001-1500. VSU has been recognized among institutions advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where it ranked well under SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Another milestone is the inclusion of VSU’s scientific journal, the Annals of Tropical Research (ATR), in Scopus, one of the world’s largest databases for peer-reviewed research. This development expands the reach of studies produced by VSU researchers and provides an international platform for knowledge sharing in tropical science and sustainable development.

VSU President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes described the university’s inclusion in the QS Rankings as a meaningful step for the region, saying that it reflects “years of steady progress in raising the standards of instruction and research in the Visayas.” 

She also noted that the recognition places VSU in a stronger position to connect with institutions across Asia and beyond.

With this new recognition, VSU joins the ranks of Philippine universities that have gained a foothold in global academic rankings, showing that excellence in higher education can emerge from the regions.

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education.

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