USM Among Top Asian Universities in QS Rankings 2026; The Only University from Region XII

The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) proudly secured its place in the QS World University Rankings 2026, landing 242nd in Southeast Asia and within the 1501+ bracket in Asia. Standing tall as the only university from Region XII to make it to the list, USM joins 35 other top institutions from the Philippines, marking another milestone in its growing reputation for academic excellence and innovation.

This year’s edition of the QS World University Rankings: Asia is the largest in its history, featuring 1,526 universities from 25 countries and territories. The expanded list includes 550 new Asian entrants, with 10 coming from the Philippines.

The QS ranking looks beyond numbers—it recognizes the quality and impact of an institution. Universities are assessed through a balanced set of indicators, including academic and employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, international research collaborations, and citations per research paper, among others. USM’s presence in the rankings highlights its growing influence in these key areas, reflecting the dedication of its faculty, researchers, and students in shaping a university that competes with the best in Asia.