University of San Carlos

The University of San Carlos (USC) is the oldest school in the Philippines, tracing its origins to 1595 when it was founded by the Jesuits in Cebu. Now run by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), it is the top-ranked university in the Visayas.

USC is a CHED Center of Excellence in Chemistry, Physics, and several engineering disciplines. The university serves over 30,000 students across multiple campuses in Cebu City and is known for its strong research culture, particularly in the natural sciences and engineering. Its graduates are among the most competitive professionals in the Visayas and Mindanao.