About SOE

For over 50 years, the economics program at De La Salle University (DLSU) has exemplified excellence in education, research, and public service. Originally established as a department within the College of Liberal Arts in 1961, the economics program evolved, becoming part of the College of Business and Economics in 1982, and finally standing as the School of Economics (SOE) in 2010. Throughout its history, the School has championed innovative pedagogy, rigorous research, and active engagement with both the public and private sectors.

In 2008, DLSU’s economics program became the first in the Philippines to be assessed by the ASEAN University Network (AUN), receiving high ratings. A decade later, in 2018, the program was reassessed and awarded an even higher score, further solidifying its reputation for excellence. By 2024, DLSU had been ranked the top university in Business and Economics in the Philippines for five consecutive years by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.

In the same year, the School of Economics was renamed the Carlos L. Tiu School of Economics (CLTSOE), honoring Dr. Carlos L. Tiu, a visionary philanthropist whose enduring commitment to economic education and research has transformed countless lives. Dr. Tiu’s guiding principle, “to transform the lives of every Filipino, one bulb at a time,” encapsulates his belief in the power of education to foster societal change. Through his support of the School, Dr. Tiu invests in the Filipino youth, shaping the future generations of economists, leaders, and changemakers.

As a national leader in economics education, CLTSOE is at the forefront of shaping economic knowledge and fostering innovation. Its programs, led by a distinguished faculty of nearly 50 full-time and part-time professors, set the benchmark for undergraduate and graduate economics education in the country. These faculty members bring with them diverse experiences from around the world, driving forward the School’s research and contributions to nation-building. CLTSOE enrolls close to 800 students across its undergraduate and postgraduate programs, which include:

• Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics, with tracks in Industrial and Financial Economics
• Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Data Science (launching in AY 2025-26)
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics
• Master in Applied Economics
• Master of Science in Economics
• Doctor of Philosophy in Economics

Graduates and faculty of the School have garnered national and international recognition, with many receiving prestigious awards for their contributions to economic scholarship and public discourse. CLTSOE faculty are consistently engaged in groundbreaking research and collaborative efforts, participating in leading conferences and serving as thought leaders in both local and international media.

SOE pioneered many practices now considered standard within the profession: the emphasis on mathematical and econometric training for undergraduates, exposure to evidence-based research and the publication of new knowledge,  development of a scientific discourse in Filipino, problem-based learning, and investment in new economic methodology.

Graduates and faculty members of SOE have been recipients of renowned national and international awards and recognition. SOE have been an active participant in economic inquiry and knowledge generation: faculty members actively participate in local and international research gatherings and collaboration, and also appeared in various platforms of media.

​For more information about SOE and its programmes, please click here.