Education & Universities in Guatemala

Complete guide to universities, international schools, and the Guatemalan education system. Updated data for local families and the diaspora.

15 Universities

10+ International Schools

90% Savings vs US

Loading data...

Universities in Guatemala

Guatemala has 15 universities: 1 public (USAC) and 14 private. From free USAC to elite UFM, there are options for every budget.

University Comparison

Quick comparison table of major universities · data as of 2026-09-01

University	Type	Founded	Students	Annual Cost	Top Programs	Campuses
USAC	Pub.	1676	200,000	Free	Medicine, Law, Engineering	6
URL	Priv.	1961	30,000	Not published	Business Administration, Law, Psychology	8
UVG	Priv.	1966	8,000	Not published	Computer Science, Engineering, Biology	3
UFM	Priv.	1971	3,500	Not published	Economics (Austrian school), Business Administration, Law	1
UNIS	Priv.	1997	3,000	Not published	Law, Communication, Education	1
Galileo	Priv.	2000	30,000	Not published	Computer Science, Game Development, Digital Marketing	2
UMG	Priv.	1966	50,000	Not published	Law, Business Administration, Theology	21
UPANA	Priv.	1998	8,000	Not published	Education, Business, Law	2
UMES	Priv.	1999	5,000	Not published	Theology, Education, Business	2
URURAL	Priv.	1995	15,000	Not published	Agronomy, Law, Business	2
UDV	Priv.	2012	3,000	Not published	Business, Technology, Design	1
UNI	Priv.	2009	4,000	Not published	Business, Law, International Relations	1

International Schools

Schools with US, IB, or French curriculum. Ideal for expat families, diaspora, or those seeking bilingual education.

Private Bilingual Schools

Middle-ground between public and international schools

How Guatemala's Education System Works

Structure of the education system, from pre-primary to university

University Degrees

Guatemalan degree equivalencies with the US system · data as of 2026-09-01

Guatemalan Degree	Duration	US Equivalent
Tecnico (Technical Degree)	2-3 years	Associate degree
Licenciatura (Licentiate)	4-5 years	Bachelor's degree (professional)
Ingenieria (Engineering degree)	5-6 years	Professional engineering degree
Maestria (Master's degree)	1-2 years	Master's degree
Doctorado (Doctorate)	3-5 years	PhD
Diversificado Diplomas (Pre-University)
Bachiller en Ciencias y Letras (Bachelor in Sciences and Letters)	2 years	General academic diploma for university admission
Perito Contador (Accounting Technician)	3 years	Vocational diploma in accounting - popular career track
Secretariado Bilingue (Bilingual Secretary)	3 years	Vocational diploma in bilingual office administration
Magisterio (Teaching Diploma)	3 years	Teaching credential for primary education
Bachiller Industrial (Industrial Bachelor)	3 years	Technical vocational diploma

Cost Comparison: Guatemala vs USA

Studying in Guatemala costs a fraction of US prices

School Calendar 2026

Key dates for the 2026 school year, public and private sectors

Studying from Abroad

Information for foreigners and Guatemalans in the diaspora

Spanish Language Schools

Guatemala is one of the world's best destinations for learning Spanish. 1-on-1 lessons from $130/week.

View Spanish Schools Guide →

Sending Your Children to Study in Guatemala?

Thousands of Guatemalan families in the US send their children to study in Guatemala to maintain language and culture while taking advantage of dramatically lower costs. University education in Guatemala costs 70-99% less than in the United States.

$50-$7,000 Annual university cost

70-99% Savings vs US

15 Universities

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 is mostly unpublished. The two schools that publish: CAG at Q103,110-Q111,050/year (2026-2027) and Colegio Maya at US$12,101-US$19,037/year
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
Many diaspora families wire tuition money from the US — compare transfer rates to keep more quetzales for school fees

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 or, if you are basing yourself in Antigua, the Antigua Spanish schools price comparison. 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.

Need help choosing a university or school in Guatemala? Email stu@livinginguatemala.com

Written by Estuardo Enriquez

Guatemalan-American sharing what life is really like in Guatemala. Born here, lived in the US, came back -- and built this site to help others do the same.

About Me Twitter Instagram

Enjoyed This? Get More Guatemala Insights

Join the newsletter for weekly cost breakdowns, local picks, and honest advice from a local.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does university cost in Guatemala?

Guatemala’s only public university, USAC, is virtually free – registration fees are under $100/year. Private universities range from $1,300/year (Universidad Mariano Galvez) to $10,400/year (Universidad Francisco Marroquin). Even the most expensive Guatemalan university costs less than US public in-state tuition ($10,560/year average).

What are the best universities in Guatemala?

The top universities are Universidad de San Carlos (USAC - public, largest), Universidad Rafael Landivar (URL - Jesuit, strong business/law), Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG - best for STEM/engineering), and Universidad Francisco Marroquin (UFM - elite economics/business). For technology, Universidad Galileo is the leader.

How much do international schools cost in Guatemala?

Most Guatemalan schools do not publish tuition at all, so treat any single range with suspicion. Two do. The American School of Guatemala (CAG) publishes total annual fees of Q103,110 to Q111,050 for 2026-2027, by grade band, plus a separate enrollment fee. Colegio Maya’s figures reach the public through the U.S. State Department’s 2026 fact sheet: US$12,101 (PreK) to US$19,037 (High School). Every other school in Guatemala City checked on 1 September 2026 publishes nothing, so ask them directly.

Can foreigners study at USAC in Guatemala?

Yes, USAC accepts foreign students. You need your high school diploma authenticated and apostilled, must pass entrance exams (in Spanish), and need a student visa. The process takes 3-6 months. Tuition remains very low even for foreigners. Some programs offer Spanish language courses for international students.

How does the Guatemalan education system work?

Guatemala’s system has four levels: Pre-Primary (ages 4-6), Primary (ages 7-12, mandatory), Basic Cycle or basicos (ages 13-15, mandatory), and Diversified Cycle or diversificado (ages 16-18). After diversificado, students earn a diploma like Bachiller en Ciencias y Letras (for university) or Perito Contador (accounting vocational). The school year runs January to October/November.

When does the school year start in Guatemala?

For public schools, the 2026 school year starts January 19 (registration) with official inauguration on February 2. Private schools begin January 12. International schools following the US calendar start in August. Holy Week break is March 30 - April 5. Private schools end October 15; public schools end November 13.