Registrations for the Seleksi Prestasi Akademik Nasional (SPAN-PTKIN) 2026 pathway reached 143,948 students from 12,174 educational units across Indonesia. For the first time, applicants from madrasahs outnumbered those from general schools, highlighting the competitiveness of state Islamic religious universities (PTKIN). PMB PTKIN 2026 Chairman Prof. Abd Aziz attributed this to shifting public perceptions.
The surge in SPAN-PTKIN 2026 applicants indicates that PTKIN have become primary choices for higher education, not just alternatives. Prof. Abd Aziz said, “Society now views PTKIN as a complete package: strong religious character foundation, highly affordable tuition, and world-class academic standards,” in a press release on Saturday (4/4/2026).
A national survey reinforces this optimism, with 97.3 percent of students believing PTKIN quality matches top general universities. Additionally, 96.7 percent of respondents rated PTKIN graduates as highly competitive in the global job market.
Director General of Islamic Education at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Prof. Amien Suyitno, highlighted this new phenomenon as evidence of a solid Islamic education ecosystem. “Our curriculum is now globally oriented. PTKIN graduates now easily access prestigious universities abroad, including in England and other European countries,” he stated.
