Growth comes as University expands workforce-focused programs, career pathways and campus capacity

 

Enrollment increased by 80 students, from 2,862 in Fanuchånan (Fall) 2025 to 2,942 this semester. Undergraduate enrollment grew 4% from the previous year. UOG also recorded a 50% increase in doctoral enrollment, from 24 candidates last year to 36 this year. 

“Every student this semester has made an investment in their future and, ultimately, in the future of our island and region,” said Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, UOG President. “Our focus is not simply on growing enrollment. It is on providing students with the education, support, and opportunities they need to complete their degrees, enter the workforce, , contribute to their community.”

 

Enrollment growth reflects demand across key programs

Demand remains strong in programs that prepare students for careers across Guam’s economy and professional workforce. UOG’s five largest majors this semester are business administration with 341 students, civil engineering with 303, pre-nursing with 216, biology with 183, and accounting with 154.

Growth was strongest in programs tied to Guam’s workforce needs. The School of Engineering recorded the University’s largest school-level percentage increase, growing 19%, from 254 students to 303. The School of Business and Public Administration grew 7%, from 749 to 803 students, while undergraduate enrollment in the School of Education increased 18%, from 165 to 194 students.

Several individual programs also posted notable gains. Social work enrollment more than doubled, increasing from 15 students to 38, while nursing grew 14%, from 72 to 82 students. The Master of Business Administration program grew from 13 to 27 students.

The enrollment gains are also occurring in fields that offer strong earning opportunities on Guam. Based on the latest occupational wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average annualized wages on Guam are approximately $88,200 for health care occupations, $71,900 for architecture and engineering occupations, and $68,200 for business and financial operations occupations.

“These enrollment trends give us an important view of where students see opportunities for their futures and where the University can continue responding to the needs of Guam and Micronesia,” said Sharleen Santos-Bamba, Senior Vice President and Provost. “Growth in areas such as engineering, business, education, nursing, and social work reinforces the importance of aligning our academic programs with the professionals our communities need. At the same time, we remain focused on supporting students throughout their academic journey, from their first semester through graduation.”

 

Building pathways to Guam’s future workforce

UOG is building on its enrollment momentum by expanding academic programs and career pathways in fields critical to Guam and the region. The School of Engineering continues to broaden its offerings, including construction management beginning this year and plans for an electrical engineering program in 2027. UOG also offers pathways in mechanical engineering through partnerships with the University of Hawaiʻi and Colorado School of Mines.

Across the University, academic programs are developing or exploring stronger internship-to-career pathways designed to connect students with employers and help graduates transition directly into Guam’s workforce. UOG is also developing new opportunities in emerging fields, including cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
In health care, the University’s new Nursing Hub will expand UOG’s capacity to educate future nurses and increase the number of students who can enter nursing cohorts, supporting efforts to address Guam’s long-term health care workforce needs.

“We’re creating clear pathways from education to meaningful careers,” said Santos-Bamba. “We are looking at where Guam’s workforce needs are headed — in engineering, health care, technology, and other critical fields — and ensuring our students have the academic programs, practical experiences, and industry connections to be prepared for those opportunities.”

The average age of students enrolled in Fanuchånan 2026 is 24, which reflects UOG’s role in serving traditional college-age students, working adults, and others pursuing degrees and professional advancement.

 

Local roots, global reach

UOG’s reach also extends beyond its degree-seeking student population. In 2026, the University is welcoming approximately 4,500 short-term international students to campus through short-term academic, cultural, and educational programs, further strengthening Guam’s role as a destination for learning and exchange in the Pacific.

The UOG Global Learning and Engagement Office reported that 97 international students and nine National Student Exchange students are enrolled this semester.

The enrollment growth comes as UOG continues investing in new academic programs, student services, and campus infrastructure. These investments support the University’s Tulos Mo’na Strategic Plan, which prioritizes a guided student journey from entry through graduation, growth in enrollment, and academic programs, and the University’s continued development as a trusted source of education, research, and service for Guam and the region.

“As we look ahead, we are building a University that is ready for the next generation of students and for the changing needs of our island,” Enriquez said. “Our new and improved facilities, expanding academic opportunities, and commitment to student success are investments in Guam’s future. We want more students to see that they can build that future right here at the University of Guam.”