The University of the Valley of Guatemala is a private institution, non-profit and is unrelated to any political or religious activity. Work with the authorization granted by the Political Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala and the Law of Private Universities. It is governed by its bylaws and regulations and by the agreements issued by its Board of Directors.

The University of the Valley of Guatemala welcomes teachers, professionals, researchers, scientists and students selected for their intellectual ability and for their interest and dedication to the academic work.

The Universidad del Valle de Guatemala was founded five decades ago, when it emerged as an initiative of the Association of the American College of Guatemala (CAG), an entity formed by a group of parents twenty years earlier, with the purpose of offering higher education by applying Modern pedagogical techniques that guarantee high educational quality with high civic and ethical criteria. On January 29, 1966, the Honorable Superior Council of the University of San Carlos of Guatemala approved the statutes of the new university and its legal status. On March 1, 1966, the activities of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala began under the direction of Dr. Fernando Aldana Llerandi, Rector; Of the lawyer Robert B. MacVean, Vice-rector, of the licensed Ricardo Estrada,

From its beginnings the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala wanted to be an active force in the development of higher education as a vanguard institution, promoting experimentation in teaching methods and organizational systems, conducting far-reaching research and training people Highly trained for educational development.

Shortly after its founding, the University of the Valley of Guatemala created its first three faculties: Sciences and Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, and the University College, being clear the intention of the new university to establish itself as a center of dedicated higher education The development of basic and social sciences, and the resolution of national educational problems.

On September 29, 1972, the Association of the American College of Guatemala became the Foundation of the University of the Valley of Guatemala, assuming the sponsorship of the American Colleges in Guatemala and in Escuintla and the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala.

The UVG began with six students and currently has more than 4,000 in its three venues (Guatemala, Escuintla and Sololá).

The first stage of construction of its buildings in Vista Hermosa III began in 1974 and the second phase began in 1981, continuing to date as growth in enrollment requires it. In 2005 the Faculty of Engineering was founded, currently the largest number of students and programs.

At present the Research Institute contributes to the solution of national problems in its ten centers, within which work 21 specialized laboratories. In addition, there are four independent units that serve as support.

In 1955, with the support of the sugar industry, the UVG opened a second campus, the Southern Educational Program (now South Campus), located in Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa. The American South College, the Language Center, the Technological Institute of the University of the Valley, the Faculty of Engineering with two undergraduate programs and the Master in Production and Poultry and Livestock Management, and the Faculty of Education with several Teachers and the degree in Education.

In 2000 Sololá started the Universidad del Valle-Altiplano, located in the former military base of Sololá, closed in accordance with the 1996 Peace Accords, where the Faculty of Education operates with programs in Specialized Teachers in Primary Education, Bilingual Primary Education Intercultural and in Mathematics and Computing, the Specialized Teacher in Physical Education, Sport and Recreation and the degree in Education; The Faculty of Engineering with a degree in Engineering in Agroforestry Technology and the Technological Institute that offers the degree of University Technician in Agroforestry. Also the Faculty of Sciences and Humanities offers the career of Technical University in Tourism.

The Universidad del Valle has been characterized as an institution that seeks academic excellence with values ​​and criteria of help for all students through financial aid and scholarship programs for gifted young people of limited resources.