The University of San Carlos retained its autonomous status from September 16, 2024 to September 15, 2027, according to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order no. 7 (s.2024). 

As an autonomous higher education institution (HEI), USC will have the freedom to determine and prescribe curricular programs, grant honorary degrees, and exemptions from regular CHED monitoring and evaluation. 

The current autonomous designation covered the University’s achievements and performance from July 1, 2019 to September 15, 2023. Moving forward, qualified Philppine HEIs are required to “achieve exemplary performance with the requirements of the grant for the renewal of their status once the validity period expires.” 

To be granted an autonomous status, an institution is required to achieve at least 80 points based on the following criteria: (1) commitment to program excellence, (2) excellence in instruction, scholarly works, and community engagements, and (3) institutional quality and excellence. 

The Commission grants HEIs the privilege of autonomy pursuant to Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution, Republic Act No. 7722 or the “Higher Education Act of 1994,” and CHED Memorandum Order no. 6 (s.2023), “Policies and Guidelines for the Grant of Autonomous and Deregulated Status to Private Higher Education Institutions.”