(Photo courtesy : PUP fbpage)
More than 20,000 college hopefuls flocked to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines on Sunday as the university kicked off the first day of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College Entrance Test (PUPCET) for Academic Year 2026–2027, underscoring once again the school’s status as one of the most sought-after public universities in the country.
University data showed that 20,840 examinees took part in the opening phase of the exam, with testing centers operating at full capacity from early morning. The surge reflects sustained demand for affordable, high-quality education, particularly at the university’s main campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
PUP reported that applications for the Sta. Mesa campus alone exceeded 100,000 this year. Beyond the main campus, an additional 12,000 applicants are expected to take the exam across the university’s 26 satellite campuses, extension programs, and the Open University System nationwide.
Despite the massive interest, competition for admission remains exceptionally tight. Historically, only around 12,000 freshmen are admitted annually to the Sta. Mesa campus, translating to an acceptance rate of under 15 percent for main campus applicants—a figure that places PUP among the most selective public higher education institutions in the Philippines.
PUP President Manuel M. Muhi personally welcomed examinees on campus, emphasizing the university’s long-standing mission to serve students from marginalized and underserved sectors.
He expressed gratitude for the overwhelming interest shown by students from across the country, noting that the entrance examination plays a crucial role in identifying future “Iskolar ng Bayan” who are prepared not only for academic rigor but also for public service and social responsibility.
The university’s social mandate remains evident in its student profile. Based on data from the previous year, more than 70 percent of PUPCET examinees came from low-income households, reinforcing PUP’s role as a key gateway to upward mobility for economically disadvantaged Filipino families.
Applicants this year showed strong preference for programs traditionally associated with strong board examination performance and career prospects. Among the most in-demand courses were BS Accountancy, BS Civil Engineering, BS Computer Engineering, BS Psychology, BS Business Administration major in Financial Management, and BS Architecture. These programs have consistently produced top-performing graduates in national licensure examinations, contributing to the university’s enduring appeal.
University officials said the results of PUPCET 2026 are expected to be released in June 2026, determining which of the thousands of hopefuls will earn a coveted place at what many consider one of the country’s premier training grounds for future professionals and public servants.
