Study and find schools in Guam

Studying in Guam

Guam is a United States territory in the western Pacific, in the Micronesia region. For students, it offers an American-style university education, taught in English and accredited in the US system, in an island setting with close links to Asia and the Pacific. Higher education on the island is small in scale and centred on one university.

Our directory lists one school in Guam: the University of Guam (UOG), based in Mangilao. It is a good option for students interested in Pacific and Micronesian studies, environmental science, or a US degree outside the mainland.

The education system

As a US territory, Guam follows the American higher education model: associate, bachelor's and master's degrees, credits counted in credit hours, and accreditation by US accrediting bodies. The University of Guam dates back to June 1952, when the island government established the Territorial College of Guam as a two-year teacher-training school. According to the university, Guam was the first island in the Pacific, after Hawaii, to set up a post-secondary institution. It became the University of Guam in 1968 and gained land-grant status in 1972.

UOG was first accredited as a senior college by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in the 1960s and received another eight years of accreditation in 2016. Today it offers 25 undergraduate and 15 graduate programmes. Examples include:

• Bachelor of Arts in Pacific-Asian Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor's degrees in business, education, engineering and the sciences
• Master of Arts in Micronesian Studies
• Master of Science in Environmental Science
• Professional Master in Business Administration, on campus and online

The academic year follows the US semester system. UOG uses CHamoru names for its terms: the autumn semester, Fanuchånan, runs from August to December, followed by the spring semester, Fañomnåkan.

Admission and recognition

International students apply directly to the University of Guam. Teaching is in English, and UOG requires a minimum TOEFL score of 500 for admission. Students who do not yet reach that level can start at UOG's English Language Institute, which has offered English as a Second Language classes since 1979 and whose main purpose is to prepare students for university enrolment. The institute accepts students who have completed secondary education and are at least 18 years old, with no previous knowledge of English required.

Recognition of US credits and degrees depends on the institution's accreditation, as EducationUSA points out. If you plan to use a UOG degree in Spain or Latin America, check the recognition procedure in your country (in Spain, homologación or equivalencia) before you enrol.

Student visa

Because Guam is part of the United States, international students need a US student visa, issued under the same rules as for the mainland (checked October 2026). According to EducationUSA, the US State Department's advising network:

• the F student visa is for study at an accredited US college or university or at an English language institute
• you must first be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
• the institution's international student office then issues a Form I-20 (or DS-2019 for exchange visitors), which you present when applying for the visa at a US embassy or consulate

Rules on work, travel and maintaining your status are set by the US Department of Homeland Security, so read them before you apply.

Costs

UOG publishes a cost of attendance for nine months (the 2026-27 academic year). For non-resident students, the budget includes:

• tuition of $10,608 for undergraduates and $10,764 for graduate students, based on full-time enrolment
• fees of $806
• food and housing of $7,479 in a residence hall or $17,118 off campus

Resident tuition is $221 per credit for undergraduates and $299 per credit for graduate students in 2026-27; full-time means 12 credits for undergraduates and 9 for graduate students. Rates are set by the university and may change.

Where to study

The University of Guam's campus is in Mangilao, which the university describes as the educational centre for Micronesia. Its residence halls offer conventional single and double rooms, which is useful on an island where off-campus housing costs considerably more, according to UOG's own budget.

Culture and practical life

Guam combines US institutions with the culture of the CHamoru people, visible in the university's own use of CHamoru names and greetings. Daily life is island life: the US dollar is the currency, English is the language of teaching and administration, and travel off the island is by air. Check UOG's health and immunisation requirements for new students once you are admitted.

Frequently asked questions

Is a degree from the University of Guam an American degree?

Yes. Guam is a US territory, and the University of Guam is accredited in the US system, by WASC. Recognition by other institutions and employers depends on that accreditation.

Do I need a visa to study in Guam?

Yes, international students need a US student visa, usually an F visa. You first need to be accepted by an SEVP-certified institution such as UOG, which issues the Form I-20 for your visa application.

How much does it cost to study at the University of Guam?

For 2026-27, UOG budgets $10,608 in tuition and $806 in fees for a non-resident undergraduate over nine months, plus $7,479 for food and housing in a residence hall.

What English level do I need?

UOG requires a minimum TOEFL score of 500. Students below that level can first study at the university's English Language Institute.