National University expands campuses to meet rising demand

Insider Spotlight

• NU expands four key campuses amid rising nationwide enrollment
• Clark, MOA, Fairview, and Manila to add new facilities and towers
• SM Group integration strengthens accessibility and student support
• NU eyes 100,000 students by 2027, backed by global recognition
  

National University (NU) is marking its 125th year by expanding four of its major campuses — Clark, Mall of Asia, Fairview, and the iconic Sampaloc campus in Manila — in an effort to meet the growing demand for accessible, career-focused education.

For many families, education is a bridge to better opportunities. By enlarging campuses in rapidly growing communities, NU is creating space for more students to enter high-demand programs without needing to relocate or travel long distances.

What they’re saying

“Anchored on NU’s mission to democratize education, we are expanding where demand and opportunity meet,” said NU president Dr. Renato Carlos Ermita Jr. 

“Clark, in particular, has shown the fastest student growth in AY 2024–2025 because of its strategic location. These expansions will allow us to serve more students with programs in Engineering, Architecture, Tourism, Psychology, Accountancy, and other in-demand fields.”

Dr. Renato Carlos Ermita Jr. 

NU president

Context behind the move

NU detailed the expansion in information shared through a press release, noting how the strategy is aligned with its long-term goal of making education more accessible. 

Its integration with the SM Group plays a crucial role: campuses located within SM developments provide direct access to transportation hubs, bookstores, dining options, and safe, well-managed public spaces.

As Dr. Ermita highlighted: “Being within SM complexes gives our students immediate access to essential services like public transport, bookstores, and dining areas. 

These shared spaces evolve into vibrant learning communities where education and everyday experiences intersect.”

What’s being built

• NU Clark: A new academic tower with laboratories and classrooms
• NU Mall of Asia: Two additional floors to expand classroom and lab capacity
• NU Fairview: A new academic tower to serve its rising student population
• NU Manila: 24 classrooms, faculty rooms, a learning resource center, and auditorium

The big picture

NU serves over 83,000 students across 14 campuses and aims to reach 100,000 by 2027, with future campuses planned in Davao, Iloilo, and Urdaneta.

Zoom out

NU is strengthening both scale and quality. It holds a QS 3 Stars overall rating, including 5 Stars in Employability, and is recognized in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). 

With over 570 full scholars supported through the SM Foundation — and plans to double that — NU continues pushing its mission of delivering “Education That Works” to more Filipino learners. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma