Guatemala is a country located in Central America. It is well known in the region for its coffee and cacao production, historic Mayan temple ruins, cultural richness, and welcoming population. This makes it an interesting destination for students who want an affordable university experience while getting to know a different culture. In this article, we will be looking at cheap universities in Guatemala.
Although Guatemala is often overlooked as a destination for international students, it can be a great choice for students who want to discover part of Latin America’s Indigenous culture and experience a less commercial side of the region.
In general, living in Guatemala can be affordable for international students. Guatemala’s currency is the quetzal (GTQ). Based on the current Banco de Guatemala reference exchange rate of about Q7.62 per US dollar, Q100 is about $13.
Renting a one-bedroom apartment in a city center costs around Q6,483, or about $850, per month. Outside city centers, a similar apartment costs around Q4,078, or about $535, per month.
Food costs vary by lifestyle, but local options are generally cheaper than mid-range and international chains. An inexpensive restaurant meal costs around Q60, or about $8, while a combo meal at McDonald’s or a similar fast-food restaurant costs around Q60, or about $8. A meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs around Q400, or about $52.
Regarding public transportation, a regular monthly pass costs around Q109, or about $14, while taxis start at around Q40, or about $5. In Guatemala City, the Transmetro system is also available on several routes with a low flat fare, but taxis or ride-hailing apps may be easier at first while you get used to local buses.
So, now that you have an idea of living costs in Guatemala, let’s talk about education!
Affordable Schools in Guatemala for International Students
1. Francisco Marroquín University (UFM)
Founded in 1971 and opened for classes in 1972, Francisco Marroquín University (UFM) is a private, secular, nonprofit university in Guatemala City.
UFM offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across academic units such as architecture, economics, law, business, medicine, dentistry, psychology, education, political studies, and others. Its graduate offerings include the Acton MBA in Entrepreneurship, which uses simulations, hands-on exercises, and Socratic discussions.
Another great aspect of this university is that it has international campuses. The main campus is in Guatemala, and UFM also lists campuses in Madrid, Spain, and Panama, so students may have opportunities to connect with other Spanish-speaking countries as part of their university experience.
Regarding admissions, applicants must register for the corresponding admissions process and pass the required aptitude and knowledge exam. Some academic units may also require interviews or additional steps, such as a specific exam, essay, or portfolio.
Programs at this cheap university in Guatemala are generally organized by academic cycles. UFM calculates teaching fees based on the number of UMAs or credits assigned and the value set by each academic unit. For 2026, UFM lists a Q525 admissions-process fee and a required monthly service fee of Q500. Since tuition depends on the program and course load, students should confirm current semester estimates directly with UFM admissions before applying.
Remember to select your preferred language when exploring the website. You can use the language option available on UFM’s pages when it appears.
2. Michael Polanyi College (MPC)
Michael Polanyi College is an academic unit at Francisco Marroquín University (UFM). Its offices are located on UFM’s Guatemala City campus.
This cheap college in Guatemala offers a four-year Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. Students design their own curriculum and define a concentration through their final project.
To apply, students register for the PAA exam through UFM admissions, submit a portfolio and a short essay to MPC, and then wait to be contacted for an interview.
For 2026, UFM’s tariff lists the MPC admissions-process fee at Q525. UFM calculates tuition according to assigned UMAs or credits and current rates, so students should request the latest tuition estimate directly from MPC or UFM admissions.
Learn more by visiting their website and checking their FAQ section.
3. University of Istmo (UNIS)
The University of Istmo (UNIS), officially Universidad del Istmo de Guatemala, is a private university whose Campus Fraijanes is located on the road to Fraijanes. It also has other sites, including UNIS Business School in Zone 10 of Guatemala City.
It has seven faculties: Architecture and Design, Business and Economic Sciences, Law, Humanities, Communication, Engineering, and Health Sciences. UNIS also lists several centers and related facilities, including CIHE, CIGE, the Textile Industry Innovation and Development Center, the Regional Development Research Center, the Cities Observatory, Shopper Lab, and Clínica UNIS Misha Maegli. Events, seminars, and conferences are also organized through the university and its academic units.
As for admissions to this cheap university in Guatemala, the process has three main steps: evaluation, interview, and enrollment. Applicants can take the UNIS EXANI-II admission exam, which costs Q350 and may be free for students whose school has an agreement with UNIS, or submit valid PAA results. The current PAA route requires a minimum score of 1,000 and results that are no more than one year old. Tuition varies by program, so students should confirm current fees through UNIS admissions or the official tariff page.
We hope that this article on cheap universities in Guatemala was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
