University of San Carlos

What University of San Carlos does

The University of San Carlos (USC) is a private Catholic university in Cebu City, Philippines, operated under the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) missionary charism and tracing its origins to 1595, with a formal university charter granted on July 1, 1948. It currently operates across five Cebu City campuses (Downtown, Talamban, South, North, and off-site facilities) organized into seven schools delivering 43 undergraduate and 48 graduate programs, plus basic education from preschool through senior high school. USC's technology stack is anchored by ISMIS (Integrated School Management Information System), a self-developed web platform handling enrollment, records, parent portals, and online payments via Paymaya and Dragonpay; USC FLEX, a Canvas LMS-integrated flexible learning plan; the USC Publishing House for scholarly output; and the QANIX Hub, the Philippines' first Quantum-AI Nexus Innovation Hub launched in February 2026 with eight global technology partners and DOST-funded high-performance computers.

USC's revenue model is tuition-led and recurring, supplemented by donations, endowments, and research grants channeled through the R.I.S.E. capital campaign (Research, Infrastructure, Scholarships, Endowments). As a PCNC-accredited Donee Institution, USC monetizes tax-deductible giving from corporate foundations including Henry Sy Foundation, Chia Family Foundation, PHINMA, Megawide, and Aboitiz. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through its website (with conversational enrollment inquiry chat), campus admissions offices, events, alumni networks, and earned media across Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; financial assistance flows through scholarships, grants-in-aid, loans, and the S-V-D Scholarship. The institution is currently in its Diamond Jubilee (75th Charter Anniversary, 2023–2028) under President Fr. Antonio Francisco T. Estepa, SVD, Ph.D., with documented outcomes including a 100% passing rate in the 2025 Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination, Tier 1 accreditation for Engineering from the Philippine Technological Council, and a 2026 THE Sustainability Impact ranking of 801–1000.

Name

University of San Carlos

Legal name

University of San Carlos

Website

https://usc.edu.ph

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The University of San Carlos is a private Catholic university in Cebu City, Philippines, operated by the Society of the Divine Word, delivering 43 undergraduate and 48 graduate programs across seven schools and five campuses to students from preschool through doctoral level.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI), Missionary Training Colleges & Schools (EDAHAKAF), Technical Universities with Architecture, Built Environment & Design Engineering (EDAHAEAJ), Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus (EDAHAEAL)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Catholic university programs
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate professional studies
• Academic research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cebu City

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate program tuition, laboratory fees, and other academic charges for the 43 undergraduate and 48 graduate programs offered
2. Donations and Endowments: R.I.S.E. campaign (Research, Infrastructure, Scholarships, and Endowments) accepting donations for specific purposes including endowments, infrastructure, research, and scholarships; USC is a PCNC-accredited Donee Institution allowing companies to claim donations as tax deductions
3. Research Grants: Research programs funded through donations and potentially external grants, with researchers engaged in UN Sustainable Development Goals studies

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The University of San Carlos delivers Catholic higher and basic education through 43 undergraduate and 48 graduate programs across seven schools, spanning preschool through doctoral levels. Its academic services are supported by an Integrated School Management Information System (ISMIS), a Flexible Learning Plan (FLEX) integrated with Canvas LMS, a Library System, and the USC Publishing House for scholarly output. The university operates multiple campuses in Cebu City and runs research programs aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, including the Philippines' first Quantum-AI Nexus Innovation Hub (QANIX) at the Talamban Campus.

Product overview

The University of San Carlos operates a multi-platform digital ecosystem centered on ISMIS (Integrated School Management Information System), its core administrative platform. The ecosystem includes USC FLEX for flexible learning via Canvas LMS integration, a Library System, USC Publishing House, and the newly launched QANIX Hub for quantum-AI research. These interconnected systems support the university's academic operations, student management, research initiatives, and publishing activities across multiple campuses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• R.I.S.E. Campaign: Capital campaign for Research, Infrastructure, Scholarships, and Endowments
• USC Flex
• QANIX Hub
• ISMIS

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 79.17% Nursing board exam passing rate vs 68.01% national average
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Foreign Policy Community of Philippines (FPCI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2026MOU signed to foster regional network diplomacy through collaborative initiatives
• FPT SoftwarecoreTechnology or Integration · 19 February 2026Technology partner in the Philippines' first Quantum-AI Nexus Innovation Hub (QANIX), providing quantum computing systems and AI expertise to support research and innovation at USC Talamban Campus
• Full ScalecoreTechnology or Integration · 19 February 2026Technology partner in QANIX Hub consortium supporting the quantum-AI innovation facility
• KYOCERAcoreTechnology or Integration · 19 February 2026Technology partner in QANIX Hub consortium for the quantum-AI innovation facility
• EY (Ernst & Young)coreTechnology or Integration · 19 February 2026Technology partner in QANIX Hub consortium providing professional services expertise for the quantum-AI innovation facility
• RocococoreTechnology or Integration · 19 February 2026Technology partner in QANIX Hub consortium for quantum-AI innovation
• Skan•LogcoreTechnology or Integration · 19 February 2026Technology partner in QANIX Hub consortium supporting innovation initiatives
• LexmarkcoreTechnology or Integration · 19 February 2026Technology partner in QANIX Hub consortium for the quantum-AI innovation facility
• AccenturecoreTechnology or Integration · 19 February 2026Technology partner in QANIX Hub consortium providing global technology expertise
• Aboitiz PowerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2024MOU and MOA signed for collaboration initiatives at Chia Chian Room, Bunzel Building, Talamban Campus
• Hanabana Construction and Equipment CorporationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 April 2022MOA for upgrading and refurbishing of Hydraulics Laboratory of Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
• University of Pécs (Hungary)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Ongoing academic partnership since 2015 including scholarship programs, researcher exchanges, and collaboration expansion to School of Engineering through research and technology exchanges

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Santo Tomas: The oldest existing university in Asia (1611), also a private Catholic institution run by a religious order (Dominicans). Directly comparable to USC in mission, religious affiliation, and broad program portfolio across undergraduate and graduate levels in the Philippines.
• Ateneo de Manila University: Private Jesuit university in the Philippines with comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. Competes with USC for top-tier students, faculty, and accreditations, with stronger national brand recognition.
• De La Salle University: Private Catholic university in Manila with multiple campuses and a strong reputation in business, engineering, and computer science — directly competing with USC's School of Engineering and professional programs.
• University of San Jose-Recoletos: Another private Catholic university in Cebu City operated by the Augustinian Recollects. Closest geographic competitor to USC in the Cebu market with overlapping basic education and tertiary programs.
• Silliman University: Private Protestant university in Dumaguete City, Philippines, with similar founding-era heritage (1901) and broad program offerings. Comparable Visayas-region private university competing for similar student demographics.
• Cebu Institute of Technology – University: Cebu-based private university with strong engineering and IT programs. Direct local competitor for engineering and computer science students, with comparable focus on industry-aligned technical education.
• Adventist University of the Philippines: Private faith-based university in the Philippines operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Comparable to USC as a religiously-affiliated comprehensive university with basic education through graduate programs.

Broad incumbents

• University of the Philippines: National public university system with multi-campus structure (similar to USC's multi-campus footprint) and the country's flagship research institution. Competes for top students via subsidized tuition and broader program offerings.

Regional players

• Southwestern University PHINMA: Cebu-based private university owned by the PHINMA group — a current major USC donor partner. Comparable in geography and program mix but operates with corporate-group backing rather than religious sponsorship.
• University of Cebu: Cebu-based private university with broad undergraduate and graduate programs. Local market competitor to USC for the same Cebuano student demographic, with multiple campuses across Cebu City.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uscsccebu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@usccebuphilippines
• Facebookfacebook.com/University-of-San-Carlos-CEBU-CITY-228939315037
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-san-carlos-15803
• Instagraminstagram.com/uscphilippines

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of San Carlos