MU to increase fees by 3% in A.Y. 2026-2027

Article by: Therese Anne B. Cruz

Photo by: Therese Anne B. Cruz

Last February 26, Mapúa University (MU) administration held a consultation with student representatives to discuss the fee increase that will take effect in the academic year 2026-2027. Tuition, laboratory, and miscellaneous fees will be increased by 3% and will be implemented for the college department. 

Reasons for increase 

The biggest factor of increase was said to be inflation, as the country absorbs a 1.7% inflation rate within just last year. Mr. Robert Villa, Vice President and Finance Department Head of the University, explains that while Mapúa has been able to curb inflation in the past, the cost of goods and services has been increasing, such as electricity, water, and internet – to name a few. 

The second factor was to increase compensation or salaries for teaching and non-teaching staff. And lastly, the improvements and renovations across MU’s campuses.  

Among the mentioned renovations will be: renovations of laboratories for the School of Civil, Environmental, Geological Engineering (CEGE), School of Chemical, Biological, Materials, Engineering and Sciences (CBMES), Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Energy Engineering (MME), Architecture, Industrial Design, and the Built Environment (ARIDBE), and Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering (EECE), Phase 2 of classroom renovations, reconstruction of some areas to learning commons, Phase 2 of renovations for student service areas and some offices, rehabilitation of roofing systems across Intramuros Campus, and recently, the renovation of the gymnasium at the Intramuros Campus. 

Also highlighted was the renovation of classrooms in Makati Campus to house more students for signature courses, renovation of the rooftop space in accordance with the University’s green initiative such as the installations of hydroponics, and improvements to the said campus’ library. 

Breakdown of fees 

For its college department, the increase of 3% will be implemented in the next academic year 2026-2027. For tuition fees, it would be around a PHP55 increase per unit. 

Depending on the laboratory course enrolled, the increase would range would differ per program. Mr. Villa also shares the recent subscription to Dreamscape Laboratory, an immersive tool applicable for Health Sciences students.  

For miscellaneous fees, the overall increase would be PHP609 including the addition of the new internationalization fee which amounts to PHP230 per term or quarter.  

As MU partners with Arizona State University (ASU) for all its programs, the internationalization fee is applied to all programs except Business and Health Sciences. The agreement provides Mapúans with access to additional degrees and certificates, as well as ASU student and staff experiences, academic collaborations, and content. 

Student concerns 

Part of the concerns last year were the outdated equipment in various laboratories such as in CBMES, CEGE, EECE, MME, and ARIDBE to name a few. When asked of the status, as per Mr. Villa, while the laboratories have been upgraded, the equipment has been ordered but has been yet to set up. “There are a couple of equipment that [have] already purchased. Unfortunately, ang mahirap kasi diyan since we're changing old equipment, it takes considerable time to set them up. So ME, what I know of is ME, IE. IE already has some new equipment. EECE, there are a few new equipment there and then more are coming. I think for the other labs, like your general chemistry labs, we've replaced most of the microscopes." 

For this year, laboratories for CBMES, CEGE, EECE, IE, MME, SFSE, and Senior High School will also undergo renovations or developments. 

For chem labs, VP for Campus Development and Maintenance Operations Ms. Margarita V. Camacho states that “We will be renovating the chem labs at the bio lab of Intramuros. So, we already started last January. Maybe, I don't know if we're going to finish it this term, but hopefully we will finish it one or before the school year ends, which will be in before June, I think June 2026. But it is also part of the renovation. We will be replacing the chem lab tables and then the furniture also.” 

A concern regarding the stools in the ARIDBE department was also raised as some stools that were part of the earlier developments were not ergonomic or would easily break. “We will look into that. [...] Right now, we are hearing a lot of complaints about the stools [...] some of the chairs, pwede naman siyang maging part of the renovation again.” VP Camacho responded. 

Students also raised the concerns of overcrowding and if the renovations will address the need for spaces such as for drafting for ARIDBE students, and a space for practices for the performing organizations – to which the administration replied that the renovations maximized on learning commons for the students and will try to accommodate larger spaces for performing organizations to utilize. 

Aside from facilities and equipment, the lack of teaching personnel was also brought up, which causes overloading sections beyond the maximum number of prescribed students per section, which causes the overflow of students in rooms. “We know that is an issue. That is a concern. There are some measures that management is trying to do at this point.  We hear you on that part. We are trying our best na makapaghire ng more faculty. It is a supply issue at this point. But noted on that, we are working on it.” 

Another issue raised was the availability of financial aid for students as the University reverts to quarterm next school year. As shared by Assistant Vice President and Head of Office of Student Affairs and Alumni Relations Mr. Oliver Ryan B. Custodio, the University are also expanding scholarship opportunities beyond academic merits. “...We are also increasing partnerships for grants based on need, not just necessarily academic achievements. So in the recent weeks, months, with the help of the Treasury Office, we've partnered with alumni donors and sponsors like who helps students that who are need. Aside from that, we're reaching out to various companies so that we can accommodate more financial grants, rather than academic scholarships.”  

Moreover, members of the University Student Government have also asked the MU administration to consider the presence of student representatives when the University is drafting or planning increases or policy changes to be the voice of the students in the said matters.  

As the rate of inflation devastates the country, Vice President and Finance Department Head stated that they cannot answer if the University will not increase the fees again for next school year as it would depend on the effects of the inflation. “The inflation changes on a month to month basis and then you just assess that at the end of the year. We have been fortunate in the past that we were able to absorb some of the inflationary increases. We cannot commit at this point if there will be any or no tuition increases in the upcoming years but note that at least for this cycle or this academic year, the increases that we have put in are sufficient for the requirements now.” Mr. Villa explains. 

In February 2025, the MU administration also conducted a consultation meeting on the proposed fee increase. It was a 2% increase in tuition fees and 1.5% for miscellaneous fees. Prior to the 2025 increase, MU increased its fees in 2021 by 1.25%, and prior to that, the last increase was in 2015.