The Philippine Women's University

What The Philippine Women's University does

The Philippine Women's University (PWU) is a private, non-stock, non-profit, non-sectarian educational institution founded on June 9, 1919, by Francisca Tirona Benitez and six other women, and headquartered at 1743 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila. It delivers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across 14 academic schools covering Arts and Sciences, Business (CBIBE), Education, Fine Arts and Design, Food Science and Technology, Hospitality Management, International Relations and Diplomacy (HZB-SIRD), Medical Technology, Music, Nursing, Nutrition, Pharmacy, Social Work, and Tourism. It also operates basic education through Jose Abad Santos Memorial School (JASMS) in Manila and Quezon City. Extending beyond the Manila campus, the Career Development and Continuing Education Center (CDCEC) runs five branches across Luzon (Bataan, Calamba, Santa Cruz, Fairview/QC, Tarlac) for vocational and continuing-education learners, with a Multi-Location Program launched in 1999.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring tuition and miscellaneous fees by program level, supplemented by document-processing charges (PHP 200–560 per transcript, diploma, certification) and continuing-education revenue. Three programs — Business Administration, Food Technology, and Hotel and Restaurant Management — hold the highest Level IV PACUCOA accreditation, and the School of Music is a CHED-designated Center of Excellence (2013); CHED autonomous status was awarded in 2008. The technology stack is functional rather than differentiated: a Campus ERP powers online enrollment, supplemented by standard LMS tooling and a PWU Live streaming channel. Distribution runs through direct on-campus admissions, a self-serve online enrollment portal, and corporate recruitment partnerships (most notably Accenture's Campus Express Recruitment in 2024-05).

Customer segments span traditional undergraduates and graduate students, international students, working professionals via CDCEC, and basic-education learners. Select institutional partners include healthcare providers (St. Luke's Medical Center, Manila Doctor's College, Rizal Medical Center) for clinical practicum, the Department of Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources for government-facing programs, plus TrueProfile.io for alumni credential verification. The institution does not disclose financial statements and does not have outside investors; it is governed by a Board of Trustees under Philippine non-profit law.

Name

The Philippine Women's University

Legal name

The Philippine Women's University

Website

https://pwu.edu.ph

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Philippine Women's University is a non-profit, non-stock private institution founded in 1919 in Manila, Philippines, delivering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across 14 academic schools and continuing education through 5 CDCEC branches nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Humanities & Creative Research Universities (EDAHABAG)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate studies
• Continuing education
• Professional licensure

Headquarters

HQ city

Manila Heights Subdivision

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Revenue from tuition fees charged to undergraduate and graduate students across all academic programs. Fees vary by program level and course load. Additional fees include miscellaneous charges, laboratory fees, and other academic-related costs.
2. Document Processing Fees: Revenue from processing various student documents including transcripts of records (₱560), diplomas (₱560), certifications (₱200/copy), Form 137, and authentication services.
3. Continuing Education Programs: Revenue from CDCEC branch operations offering vocational courses, professional development, and continuing education programs across multiple provincial locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Philippine Women's University is a non-stock, non-profit, non-sectarian private educational institution that delivers higher education services across 14 academic schools, offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs in fields such as business, nursing, pharmacy, music, hospitality, tourism, social work, and international relations. It also operates the CDCEC continuing education network across 5 provincial branches and provides online enrollment, scholarship programs, and research services.

Product overview

The Philippine Women's University (PWU) is a non-stock, non-profit, non-sectarian educational institution founded in 1919. It operates as a multi-school university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs through 14 academic schools: School of Arts and Sciences, Conrado Benitez Institute for Business Education (CBIBE), School of Education, School of Fine Arts and Design, School of Food Science and Technology, School of Hospitality Management, Helena Z Benitez School of International Relations and Diplomacy, School of Medical Technology, School of Music, School of Nursing, School of Nutrition, School of Pharmacy, Philippine School of Social Work, and School of Tourism. The university also operates the Career Development and Continuing Education Center (CDCEC) with multiple branches for extended education, maintains a Student Portal for enrollment and academic management, and provides research support through its Research and Development Office. Financial assistance is available through various scholarship programs. Three programs (Business Administration, Food Technology, and Hotel and Restaurant Management) hold Level IV PACUCOA accreditation. The institution celebrates 102 years of service and serves both women and men.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CDCEC: Career Development and Continuing Education Center - provides specialized skills training and professional development programs
• HZB-SIRD
• CBIBE

Products and services

• School of Arts and Sciences Academic school of PWU providing arts and sciences education to undergraduate students as part of the university's 14-school structure.
• Conrado Benitez Institute for Business Education (CBIBE) Business education institute offering accountancy and business degree programs, with Business Administration holding Level IV PACUCOA accreditation (the highest achievable).
• School of Education Education degree program preparing students for teaching careers, with the philosophy that success in teaching depends on a broad foundation of education.
• School of Fine Arts and Design Academic school of PWU providing fine arts and design education to undergraduate students.
• School of Food Science and Technology Academic school pioneering food science and technology education, with intensive industrialization programming and 1,000 hours of On-the-Job Training at food manufacturing companies; BS Food Technology holds Level IV PACUCOA accreditation.
• School of Hospitality Management Academic school offering hospitality and hotel/restaurant management programs, with 7,000+ graduates produced over the university's history; Hotel and Restaurant Management holds Level IV PACUCOA accreditation.
• Helena Z Benitez School of International Relations and Diplomacy (HZB-SIRD) School offering foreign service and diplomacy programs, providing OJT/practicum placement at the Department of Foreign Affairs, foreign embassies and consulates, and the UN system in Manila.
• School of Medical Technology Medical technology program with PAASCU accreditation renewed in 2018, achieving 100% passing rates for first-time licensure exam takers in 2015 and 2017.
• School of Music CHED-designated Center of Excellence in Music Education since 2013, pioneering the first PhD in Music program in the Philippines, with Kodály Approach music education in partnership with the Kodály Society of the Philippines.
• School of Nursing Nursing degree program with strong licensure exam performance (90% first-time nursing licensure passing rate in February 2026 vs. 44.26% national average); based hospital for BSN Related Learning Experience is Rizal Medical Center.
• School of Nutrition Nutrition and dietetics program offering opportunities to develop globally competitive nutritionist-dietitians, with clinical education partnerships for graduate programs.
• School of Pharmacy Pharmacy degree program founded in 1926 by Dr. Francisca Tirona Benitez, recognized as a Top Ten School of Pharmacy in 1995 and 1997 with Level II PAASCU accreditation.
• Philippine School of Social Work Pioneering professional School of Social Work in the Philippines, established in 1950, providing social work degree programs.
• School of Tourism Tourism management degree program with two-level practical training exposure, partnership with the Department of Tourism, and PAASCU Level 1 accreditation received in 2016.
• Career Development and Continuing Education Center (CDCEC) Non-degree continuing education and skills training program with 5 branches across the Philippines (Bataan, Calamba, Santa Cruz, Fairview QC, and Tarlac), offering vocational courses, professional development, and short-term programs through community franchise operations.
• Student Portal (Campus ERP) Online enrollment and student management system providing self-service access to academic records, enrollment registration, and student services for PWU students.
• Scholarship Programs Comprehensive financial aid offerings including academic merit scholarships (University Scholar 100%/75%, College Scholar 50%, Dean's Lister 25%), honor-based scholarships for freshmen, athletic scholarships, alumni discounts (10%), sibling discounts (5%–free tuition), and external scholarships from partners such as BPI, Landbank, GSIS, Pag-IBIG, and CHED.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% first-time nursing licensure examination passing rate (February 2026), compared to 44.26% national average
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AccenturecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2024Campus Express Recruitment program where Accenture processes student applications in one day at recruitment hubs. Also includes Student Referral Program for entry-level roles with rewards for student referrers.
• Insurance Institute for Asia and the Pacific Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SUITS (Select Universities Insurance Training Scholarship) program providing insurance training scholarship opportunities to PWU students for professional development in the insurance sector.
• TrueProfile.iominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership offering all 2023 graduates free education verification worth USD $179 using PWU-VERIFY voucher code. Provides credential verification services for alumni career advancement.
• Department of TourismminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for student practicum and industry training. Also cooperates on tourism forums and sustainable development initiatives including Ecotorism for Sustainable Development and Climate Change forums.
• Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperates with university on environmental forums and sustainable development initiatives including Ecotorism for Sustainable Development forums.
• National Commission for Culture and the ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperates on cultural forums and events including Tourism and Culture forums and 2007 World Tourism Day celebrations.
• Hotels, Transportation and Travel Management CompaniesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partners providing hands-on training opportunities for Tourism Management students through two-level practical training exposure.
• St Luke's Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier healthcare institution partnership for Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition program, providing clinical training opportunities.
• Manila Doctor's CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare institution partnership for Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition program, providing clinical training opportunities.
• Rizal Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased hospital for BSN Related Learning Experience (RLE), providing clinical practicum opportunities for nursing students.
• Kodály Society of the PhilippinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation for Kodály Approach music education program. Society provides pool of local and international trainers through yearly summer certificate courses held at PWU.
• Food Manufacturing Companies and Baking IndustriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partners providing 1,000 hours of intensive On-the-Job Training for BS Food Technology students at well-known food manufacturing companies.
• Department of Foreign AffairsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOJT/practicum placement for Foreign Service students at DFA, foreign embassies and consulates in Manila, and UN system in Manila.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• De La Salle University: De La Salle University is a prominent private research university in Manila offering undergraduate and graduate programs across business, engineering, education, and the arts. Like PWU, it operates multiple schools, holds top-tier Philippine accreditations, and competes for the same NCR private-university applicant pool.
• Ateneo de Manila University: Ateneo de Manila is a leading private Jesuit university in Quezon City offering a broad catalog of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. It directly competes with PWU for premium NCR students and shares comparable accreditations and licensure outcomes.
• University of Santo Tomas (UST): UST is the oldest existing university in Asia and a major private Catholic institution in Manila with extensive programs in nursing, pharmacy, medicine, engineering, and the arts. It competes head-to-head with PWU in healthcare and arts programs and has a comparable licensure track record.
• Centro Escolar University: Centro Escolar University is a private non-stock Manila-based university with strong programs in pharmacy, nursing, optometry, and education. Its scale, NCR footprint, and healthcare emphasis make it one of the closest direct comparables to PWU.
• Far Eastern University (FEU): FEU is a large private Manila university with strong programs in business, nursing, and IT. It competes for the same NCR private-university demographic and has a similar multi-school structure and licensure orientation as PWU.
• Adamson University: Adamson is a private Catholic university in Manila offering engineering, science, nursing, business, and education programs. It serves a similar mid-tier NCR private-university segment and competes for the same licensure-track students.
• San Beda University: San Beda is a private Benedictine university in Manila with strong programs in law, business, nursing, and arts & sciences. Its NCR location, multi-school structure, and heritage positioning closely mirror PWU's market niche.

Broad incumbents

• University of the Philippines (UP): UP is the national state university system and the dominant public higher-education brand in the Philippines. While not a direct competitor in tuition positioning, UP sets the quality benchmark that PWU's accreditations and licensure outcomes are measured against.
• Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP): PUP is a large public university system with multiple branches in and around Manila. It is a key lower-cost competitor for working students and a benchmark for the CDCEC-style continuing-education model that PWU operates.

Regional players

• Saint Louis University (Baguio): Saint Louis University is a private Catholic university in Baguio City with strong programs in nursing, engineering, business, and the arts. It is a leading non-NCR private university that PWU's regional CDCEC branches compete against for Luzon-based students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PWU.OfficialFanpage
• LinkedInfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61571646182554
• Xx.com/PWU_Manila

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about The Philippine Women's University