Universities in Guatemala ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 15 Universities in Guatemala

The Republic of Guatemala is divided into 22 departments (Spanish: departamentos), which are further subdivided into 340 municipalities (Spanish: municipios). The majority of higher education institutions that meet the uniRank selection criteria are concentrated in the Guatemala region, which hosts the capital and largest city, Guatemala City (Spanish: Ciudad de Guatemala). The following uniRank league tables and sub-rankings take into account all departments that include at least one Guatemalan higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Guatemala (14)  
Quetzaltenango (1)  

Unlock your University's potential: spotlight your Institution on UniRank for leads, local recognition and branding. Enquiry now to feature your University here.

Overview of Guatemala Universities

Guatemala's higher education system includes universities accredited by the Consejo de la Enseñanza Privada Superior. The landscape is dominated by private institutions, with only one public university. Most universities are comprehensive, offering diverse fields including engineering, business, health sciences and social sciences. Degrees range from bachelor's to doctoral levels. Guatemala City serves as the primary academic hub, hosting 9 of the top 10 institutions. Universities emphasize professional training, with growing research initiatives in environmental science and technology.

Top 10 Guatemala Universities

1. Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (University of San Carlos of Guatemala) - USAC
   Rank: #1 (Country), #1069 (World) | Founded: 1676 | Guatemala City | Public | Comprehensive | Fields: Health, Engineering, Humanities | Levels: Bachelor's to Doctorate
2. Universidad Rafael Landívar (Rafael Landívar University) - URL
   Rank: #2 (Country), #1896 (World) | Founded: 1961 | Guatemala City | Private | Comprehensive | Fields: Law, Social Sciences, Theology | Levels: Bachelor's to Doctorate
3. Universidad Francisco Marroquín (Francisco Marroquín University) - UFM
   Rank: #3 (Country), #2749 (World) | Founded: 1971 | Guatemala City | Private | Comprehensive | Fields: Economics, Business, Medicine | Levels: Bachelor's to Master's
4. Universidad Galileo (Galileo University)
   Rank: #4 (Country), #3629 (World) | Founded: 2000 | Guatemala City | Private | Specialized | Fields: Technology, Engineering | Levels: Bachelor's to Doctorate
5. Universidad Mariano Gálvez de Guatemala (Mariano Galvez University of Guatemala) - UMG
   Rank: #5 (Country), #4494 (World) | Founded: 1966 | Guatemala City | Private | Comprehensive | Fields: Psychology, Law, Health Sciences | Levels: Bachelor's to Doctorate
6. Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (University of the Valley of Guatemala) - UVG
   Rank: #6 (Country), #4674 (World) | Founded: 1966 | Guatemala City | Private | Comprehensive | Fields: Science, Engineering, Education | Levels: Bachelor's to Doctorate
7. Universidad Mesoamericana, Guatemala (Mesoamerican University, Guatemala)
   Rank: #7 (Country), #7081 (World) | Founded: 1999 | Guatemala City | Private | Comprehensive | Fields: Business, Architecture, Health | Levels: Bachelor's to Master's
8. Universidad Da Vinci de Guatemala (Da Vinci University of Guatemala) - UDV
   Rank: #8 (Country), #7187 (World) | Founded: 2012 | Guatemala City | Private | Comprehensive | Fields: Design, Business, Engineering | Levels: Bachelor's to Master's
9. Universidad de Occidente, Guatemala (University of the West) - UDEO
   Rank: #9 (Country), #7272 (World) | Founded: 2010 | Quetzaltenango | Private | Comprehensive | Fields: Business, Law, Engineering | Levels: Bachelor's to Master's
10. Universidad del Istmo, Guatemala (University of the Isthmus, Guatemala) - UNIS
    Rank: #10 (Country), #7645 (World) | Founded: 1997 | Guatemala City | Private | Comprehensive | Fields: Business, Law, Communications | Levels: Bachelor's to Master's

Analysis of University Types

Guatemala's university system features a total of 15 accredited institutions. Private universities dominate the landscape, constituting 93.3% (14 institutions) of all universities. Public universities represent only 6.7% (1 institution). This distribution reflects the significant role of private investment in higher education across all regions of Guatemala.

Global Ranking and Standing

Currently, 0 Guatemalan universities rank within the world's top 200 institutions (view global top 200). Similarly, 0 universities appear in the top 1,000 worldwide (0% of Guatemala's institutions). While Guatemalan universities serve critical national educational needs, this highlights opportunities for enhanced global research collaboration and academic recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Guatemala's oldest university?
Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (1676) is both the oldest and only public university.

Are degrees from Guatemalan universities internationally recognized?
Degrees from accredited institutions are recognized across Central America. Global recognition varies by field and institution.

Which Guatemalan university is best for engineering?
Universidad Galileo and Universidad del Valle de Guatemala are prominent for technology and engineering programs.

Do Guatemalan universities offer English-taught programs?
Select universities like Universidad del Valle and Universidad Francisco Marroquín offer English courses, particularly in graduate programs.

How affordable is university education in Guatemala?
Public university (USAC) offers low tuition fees. Private institutions vary significantly in cost, generally higher than public alternatives.

Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Guatemalan universities and their online presence.

• Oldest Universities in Guatemala
  Explore the most traditional and long-established Guatemalan post-secondary institutions according to uniRank's original research.
• A-Z Universities in Guatemala
  Search for Guatemalan higher education institutions listed alphabetically from A to Z.
• Guatemalan Universities by Town
  Look for tertiary institutions located in a particular Guatemalan town or city.
• Top Public Universities in Guatemala
  Discover Guatemalan public higher education institutions with potentially lower tuition fees.
• Top Private Universities in Guatemala
  Find out about Guatemalan private higher education institutions.
• Top Non-Profit Universities in Guatemala
  Explore Guatemalan not-for-profit higher education institutions that may offer lower tuition fees.
• Top For-Profit Universities in Guatemala
  Look for Guatemalan for-profit higher education institutions.
• Top Guatemalan Universities on Facebook
  See which tertiary institutions in Guatemala have the most followers on Facebook, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Guatemalan Universities on Twitter
  Discover the Universities in Guatemala that are most followed on Twitter, based on uniRank's original research.
• Top Guatemalan Universities on Instagram
  Find out which post-secondary institutions in Guatemala are the most followed on Instagram, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Guatemalan Universities on YouTube
  Explore the Universities in Guatemala with the most subscribed channels on YouTube, based on uniRank's original research.