University of San Carlos

University of San Carlos
Former names
Seminario-Colegio de San Carlos (1783–1924)
Colegio de San Carlos (1924–1948)
MottoScientia, Virtus, Devotio (Latin)
Motto in English
Knowledge/Excellence, Valor/Integrity, Fidelity/Commitment
TypePrivate, Research, Non-stock, Basic and Higher education institution
Established
  • 1783 (as Seminario-Colegio de San Carlos)
  • 1924 (as Colegio de San Carlos)
FounderBishop Mateo Joaquin Rubio de Arevalo (Seminario-Colegio de San Carlos)
Religious affiliation
Catholic (Society of the Divine Word)
Academic affiliations
PAASCU, PTC-ACBET (Washington Accord), Integrity Initiative, PCNC, CHED PHERNET-Zonal Research Center, DOST-Accelerated Science & Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP), DOST-Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT), ACUP, PIDS, PASCN, UK-Phils British Council & CHED TNE, AUN, IAU, IFCU, UNDP- Phil Dev & CHED TechHub, US Embassy Phils. American Corner & Education USA Center, WIPO- IPOPHL
ChairmanFr. Dionisio M. Miranda, SVD, STHD
PresidentFr. Francisco Antonio Estepa, SVD, PhD
Vice-president
  • Fr. Jesuraj Anthoniappen, SVD, PhD Physics
    (VP for Academic Affairs)
  • Atty. Joan S. Largo, LLM
    (VP for Administration)
  • Fr. Arthur Z.Villanueva, SVD, MA
    (VP for Finance)
Academic staff
623 (2024-2025)
Total staff
1,040+ (2022-2023)
Students17,187 (2024-2025)
Undergraduates16,146 (2024-2025)
Postgraduates1,041 (2024-2025)
Address
P. del Rosario St.
, ,
Cebu
,
10°17′58″N 123°53′56″E / 10.29944°N 123.89889°E / 10.29944; 123.89889
Campus2 Urban campuses, 88 hectares (880,000 m2)
NewspaperToday's Carolinian
ColorsGreen   and   Gold
NicknameCarolinians
Sporting affiliations
CESAFI, PRISAA
MascotWarriors
Websitewww.usc.edu.ph
Location in the Visayas
Location in the Philippines

The University of San Carlos (USC; Filipino: Pamantasan ng San Carlos; Cebuano: Unibersidad sa San Carlos), colloquially referred to as San Carlos or Sangkarlos, is a private, Catholic, and research university administered by the Philippine Southern Province of the Society of the Divine Word in Cebu City, Philippines since 1935. It was founded originally in 1595 as Colegio de San Ildefonso, but was closed during the expulsion of the Jesuit missionaries in the Philippines in 1768. The Colegio reopened in 1783 as Seminario-Colegio de San Carlos, until it separated from the seminary in 1924. The Colegio de San Carlos became a university on July 1, 1948.

USC has 2 campuses with combined land area of 88 hectares or 217 acres (Talamban campus has 78 hectares). The Commission on Higher Education has recognized 8 of its programs as Centers of Excellence and 12 of its programs as Centers of Development as of March, 2016.

At present, USC has a population of 25,000+ students. 250+ of which are foreign students enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate programs. It offers academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate level.

San Carlos's notable alumni include 1 Philippine president, senators and congressmen, presidential cabinet members, military officials, legal personages, journalists, awards laureates, celebrities, and businessmen.