University of Guam
Mangilao, Guam · Public
ROI Score: 20/100 · Poor Value
University of Guam scores 20 (Poor Value) on CampusROI, driven by a 184.3-year payback period, $25,700 median 6-year earnings, and a 36.9% completion rate. The payback figure is mathematically extreme and reflects the combination of high net price ($8,598) relative to very low median earnings in Guam's labor market, not a conventional signal of poor institutional quality. The University of Guam is the only four-year public institution on the island and serves a distinctive population: CHamoru and Pacific Islander students for whom off-island alternatives have cultural, family, and financial barriers. In-state tuition of $6,110 is very low, but total cost of attendance including room, board, and living expenses drives net price to $8,598. Median debt of $16,786 is moderate. The 36.9% completion rate is the most significant structural concern. Only one program has Scorecard data: Business Administration (70 graduates, $26,880 year-one, C grade, debt-to-earnings 0.582). The CampusROI score of 20 reflects Guam's constrained local labor market, not a comparison to mainland institutions where graduates with equivalent credentials earn more.
The data raises concerns about University of Guam
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score20/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate36.9% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period>50 years - Graduates earn at or near the level of high school completers — the cost may not recoup within a working career.
University of Guam
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $6,110/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $11,414/yr |
| Average net price | $8,598/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $34,392 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,946 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $25,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $16,786 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $178 |
| Estimated payback period | >50 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 36.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,515 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Guam is $6,110/year ($11,414/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $8,598/year, or roughly $34,392 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,105/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $14,692/year.
The median graduate leaves with $16,786 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $178 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $35,946 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.65 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,105 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,468 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,639 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,272 |
| $110,001+ | $14,692 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $7,105 per year at UOG -- $28,420 over four years. The 45.3% Pell rate confirms this is the primary demographic at the institution. Against $25,700 median 6-year earnings, the cost structure is low in absolute terms, but earnings are constrained by Guam's local economy. Low-income students who complete and remain on Guam will service debt adequately; those who relocate to the mainland will find the cost-to-earnings structure dramatically improved.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $9,639 per year and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $11,272. Middle-income families on Guam pay affordable net prices, consistent with UOG's role as the public flagship. The four-year cost of $38,556-$45,088 is low in absolute terms. The 36.9% completion rate creates risk across income brackets -- students who do not finish incur debt without the degree credential.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $14,692 per year -- approximately $58,768 over four years. Even at the highest income bracket, UOG remains among the most affordable institutions in this dataset. Students from higher-income Guam families who complete UOG and enter professional careers on Guam or relocate to the mainland will find the cost-to-outcome ratio favorable.
Earnings by Major
Top 1 most popular majors at University of Guam with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $26,880 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (70 graduates) is the only program with Scorecard data at UOG: $26,880 year-one (no four-year data), with median debt of $15,650 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.582 (ROI grade C). The C grade reflects Guam's constrained private sector employment market rather than a weak program design. Graduates entering government, military-adjacent, or hospitality employment in Guam face salary compression relative to mainland benchmarks. Business administration is the most common degree path at UOG and provides foundational preparation for Guam's commercial sector.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 61.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 72.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 61.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 60.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 2,515 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 45.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,400 |
No admission rate or test score data is available for UOG, consistent with its open-access mission as the public flagship of an island territory. The institution's relevant evaluation framework is not selectivity but program quality and completion support, given the 36.9% completion rate. Students considering UOG should assess available student support, transfer pathways to four-year completion, and the specific labor market they plan to enter upon graduation.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UOG's Scorecard peer schools are all mainland Puerto Rico institutions: University of Puerto Rico Carolina, Ponce, Humacao, and Arecibo campuses, plus Cameron University in Oklahoma. These peers share the characteristic of serving isolated or territorial populations with constrained local labor markets. UOG's ROI score of 20 and 36.9% completion rate are in the range of several Puerto Rico system campuses. The most important contextual difference is that UOG is the only four-year public institution on Guam, giving it a monopoly position that does not exist for most comparable mainland institutions. The appropriate benchmark is not the continental US median but rather the institution's role in building human capital for Guam's economy and the CHamoru and Pacific Islander communities it serves.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Guam (this school) | 20 | $8,598 | $35,946 |
| University of Puerto Rico-Humacao | 23 | $12,675 | $29,521 |
| University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo | 22 | $10,680 | $30,512 |
| University of Puerto Rico-Carolina | 22 | $12,945 | $30,626 |
| Cameron University | 20 | $10,912 | $40,118 |
| University of Puerto Rico at Ponce | 19 | $10,990 | $31,394 |
Who Thrives Here
University of Guam operates with no reported admission rate or test score data, indicating it functions as an open-access institution. Enrollment is 2,515. Pell rate of 45.3% -- among the highest in this batch -- indicates the majority of students come from low-income backgrounds. UOG is the educational anchor for Guam and Micronesia, serving students for whom the university provides critical access to higher education that would otherwise require migration. Students considering UOG should understand that outcomes data reflects Guam's local labor market and that graduates who relocate to the mainland or Hawaii will likely achieve earnings significantly above the Scorecard median.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about University of Guam. With a net cost of $8,598 per year and median graduate earnings of only $35,946 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds >50 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 36.9% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $16,786 against $35,946 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.