University of Guam
University of Guam — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Guam at a Glance
University of Guam (U.O.G.) is a public land-grant university in Mangilao, Guam. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and offers thirty-four degree programs at the undergraduate level and eleven at the master's level. Of the university's 3,387 students, 94% are of Asian-Pacific Islander ethnicity and nearly 72% are full-time. A full-time faculty of about 180 work at the university.
1952
74 years old
$14M
$ 13.5 million
3,904
180
161 acres
Identity
Is University of Guam Worth It?
University of Guam offers moderate value at $8,598/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $35,946, which is 33% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 39% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How University of Guam compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #39 of 126 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Northern Marianas College | 100 | $2,789 | $27,836 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #39 | University of Guam | 41 | $8,598 | $35,946 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Guam's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in GU.
Best Programs at University of Guam
The highest-earning program at University of Guam is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $22,000/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from University of Guam earns $22,000, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $22,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $18,500 in median debt vs. $18,500 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $8,598/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $22,000 | $22,000 | $18,500 |
Similar Colleges in GU
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Mangilao, GU
- Student Body
- 2,515 students
- Graduation Rate
- 39%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,598
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $35,946
- Median Student Debt
- $16,786