Isabela State University (ISU)

Excellence Through Sustainable Education · Est. 1978

Go to ISU Student Portal  →

Quick Facts

Founded

1978

School Type

Public

Run By

Government of the Philippines

Location

Echague, Isabela

Campus

1,600+ hectares

Colleges

10

CHED Status

Level III Accredited

Sports Team

ISU Golden Eagles

Tuition & Fees

Estimated Tuition Range: Free per unit

State university in Isabela. Free tuition under RA 10931. Largest state university in Cagayan Valley.

College / Program Estimated per Unit Estimated per Semester
College of Engineering Free ₱2,000 to ₱5,000 (misc. fees)
College of Agriculture Free ₱2,000 to ₱4,000 (misc. fees)
College of Nursing Free ₱2,000 to ₱5,000 (misc. fees)
College of Computing Studies Free ₱2,000 to ₱4,000 (misc. fees)
College of Education Free ₱2,000 to ₱3,500 (misc. fees)

These are estimates only and may not reflect current rates. Always confirm with the ISU Cashier’s Office or your official assessment slip via ISU SIS.

About the School

Isabela State University (ISU) is a public state university in Echague, Isabela. Established in 1978, it is the largest state university in the Cagayan Valley region, with campuses across multiple municipalities in Isabela province.

ISU is a CHED Center of Excellence in agriculture, engineering, and education. Its main campus spans hundreds of hectares and serves as a major research center for rice, corn, and tropical crops.

The university plays a vital role in agricultural innovation, rural development, and workforce training for the Cagayan Valley — one of the Philippines’ top rice-producing regions.

Agriculture, Engineering, Education, Nursing, and Computing — Cagayan Valley’s largest state university.

ISU is a public state university. Tuition is free under RA 10931 for all Filipino undergraduate students.

ISU is free for Filipino undergraduates under RA 10931. Only minimal miscellaneous fees apply.

History & Background

1978

Created through the merger of several colleges in Isabela province to form a unified state university system for the Cagayan Valley.

1988

ISU grew to multiple campuses across Isabela province, ensuring accessibility for rural communities.

2002

ISU was recognized as a CHED Center of Excellence in agriculture, engineering, and education.

2012

ISU deepened its role as a major research center for rice, corn, and tropical crops in the Cagayan Valley.

2017

Filipino undergraduates at ISU benefited from the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

Today

ISU serves communities across Isabela with multiple campuses, focusing on agriculture and rural development.

Notable Programs & Courses

College of Agriculture

BS Agriculture, BS Agribusiness — Leading agricultural programs in the Cagayan Valley, specializing in rice production and corn farming research.

College of Engineering

BS Agricultural Engineering, BS Civil Engineering — Growing engineering programs supporting the agricultural and infrastructure development of the Cagayan Valley.

College of Arts and Sciences

BS Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science — Foundation science programs with research on the rich biodiversity of the Sierra Madre and Cagayan Valley.

College of Education

Bachelor of Elementary/Secondary Education — Large teacher education programs serving the educational needs of Isabela and the Cagayan Valley region.

College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

BS Fisheries — Fisheries programs focused on inland aquaculture and the marine resources of the Cagayan Valley coast.

College of Business, Accountancy and Public Administration

BS Accountancy, BS Business Administration — Business programs supporting the economic development of the Cagayan Valley.

ISU offers 50+ programs across multiple campuses. See the full list at www.isu.edu.ph.

FAQs About Isabela State University

Is ISU a private or public university?

ISU is a public state university in Echague, Isabela. It is one of the largest state universities in the Cagayan Valley region and benefits from the free tuition law.

How much is the tuition fee at ISU?

Under the free tuition law, qualified Filipino students pay no tuition at ISU. Miscellaneous fees are minimal.

What is ISU known for?

ISU is known for its strong programs in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, education, and engineering. It has multiple campuses across Isabela province and is a key agricultural research institution in the Cagayan Valley.

Where is ISU located?

ISU’s main campus is located in Echague, Isabela. It operates multiple satellite campuses across Isabela province including in Cabagan, Ilagan, Cauayan, Roxas, San Mariano, Angadanan, and Jones.

Is ISU only for agriculture students?

No. While ISU is best known for agriculture, it offers a wide range of programs in engineering, education, business, information technology, criminology, and other fields.

Does ISU offer scholarships?

Yes. ISU offers government-funded scholarships (CHED, DOST), academic scholarships, and various financial assistance programs.