Education in Guatemala: What You Need to Know
Guatemala’s education landscape spans from the free public university (USAC, founded in 1676) to elite private institutions and world-class international schools. Whether you are a local family choosing a school, a diaspora parent considering sending children to study here, or a foreigner exploring options, this page has the data you need.
Key Facts
- 15 universities – 1 public (USAC) and 14 private
- University tuition ranges from essentially free (USAC) to $10,400/year (UFM)
- International school tuition ranges from $2,600/year (IAS Xela) to $18,300/year (Colegio Maya)
- School year runs January to October/November (public/private) or August to June (international)
- Guatemala’s education costs 70-99% less than the United States
Why Study in Guatemala?
For Guatemalan families in the US, sending children to study at a Guatemalan university can save $100,000+ over a four-year degree compared to US tuition. Top private universities like URL, UVG, and UFM have strong international reputations, and USAC degrees in medicine, law, and engineering are respected throughout Central America.
For expat families, international schools in Guatemala City offer American and IB curricula at a fraction of US private school costs. The American School (CAG) and Colegio Maya provide education comparable to top US prep schools.
For more on daily life costs beyond education, see our cost of living guide. If you are also learning Spanish, check our Spanish schools guide. For families relocating, our how to move to Guatemala guide covers visas, housing, and logistics.
Data Sources
University and school data is compiled from official university websites, the US State Department school fact sheets, MINEDUC (Ministry of Education) publications, UniPage, uniRank, and local research. Tuition figures reflect the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change. Exchange rate used: Q7.66 per USD.
