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Best Value Registered Nursing Colleges in Puerto Rico

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Puerto Rico's nursing programs reveal stark contrasts in cost and outcomes that challenge conventional wisdom about educational value. Colegio Universitario de San Juan delivers an extraordinary net cost of just $200 while maintaining a 98.46% acceptance rate, making nursing education accessible to nearly every applicant. At the opposite end, Universidad del Sagrado Corazon commands $13,024 annually but produces graduates earning $33,708, the highest in the territory. This 65-fold cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs reflects Puerto Rico's unique educational market, where public institutions compete directly with specialized private colleges. The territory's growing healthcare infrastructure, anchored by major medical centers like Hospital San Pablo in Bayamón and Centro Médico in San Juan, creates steady demand for nursing professionals across all specializations. Graduation rates span from 23.60% to 74.30%, suggesting that institutional support varies dramatically. For nursing administration and research roles, this pipeline feeds directly into Puerto Rico's expanding medical tourism sector and clinical research initiatives. Students can access quality nursing education at costs far below mainland equivalents while preparing for careers in a healthcare system that serves both local populations and international patients seeking specialized care in the Caribbean.
38
Programs
$200 – $17,687
Net Price Range
$19,008
Avg. Program Earnings
44.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

38 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $200 $20,140 $2,340 30.1% 98.5%
2 $4,181 $25,510 $7,314 53.9%
3 $4,496 $22,602 $7,050 37.3% 90.1%
4 $4,039 $20,140 $7,630 74.3%
5 $4,142 $20,140 $7,630 70.8%
6 $4,989 $22,602 $7,050 23.6% 39.6%
7 $4,704 $20,140 $6,970 52.2%
8 $5,732 $21,202 $8,054 56.2%
9 $4,285 $15,721 $5,986 37.9% 80.4%
10 $9,418 $28,055 $12,900 44.0%
11 $7,619 $22,602 $7,050 80.0%
12 $8,121 $22,602 $7,050 36.4% 94.7%
13 $8,618 $22,602 $7,050 57.6%
14 $7,382 $19,358 $5,542 38.4% 67.8%
15 $13,024 $33,708 $6,360 43.6% 55.2%
16 $7,559 $18,483 $6,920 31.1%
17 $7,668 $17,950 $6,920 30.2%
18 $6,544 $15,288 $8,198 42.6%
19 $7,607 $16,786 $5,542 38.7% 45.7%
20 $8,471 $17,446 $8,050 46.0% 83.1%
21 $8,036 $15,367 $5,580 35.4% 33.3%
22 $14,817 $28,055 $12,900 25.8%
23 $9,034 $12,644 $5,580 42.7% 40.1%
24 $8,783 $12,221 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
25 $7,569 $9,545 $6,920 36.4%
26 $8,245 $9,348 $5,580 43.1% 52.8%
27 $10,082 $10,740 $6,340 47.9% 94.7%
28 $11,759 $11,234 $5,324 50.7% 60.0%
29 $7,589 $9,489 33.3% 100.0%
30 $3,645 $7,630 62.0%
31 $6,326 54.9%
32 $12,684 $5,274 47.0% 54.4%
33 $13,487 $5,364 52.9% 52.1%
34 $8,932 $5,580 39.4% 47.0%
35 $8,964 $5,580 31.6% 46.8%
36 $2,879 $6,560 54.9%
37 $9,104 $8,520 58.1%
38 $17,687 $10,504 77.8% 44.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost gap between Puerto Rico's nursing programs?

The $12,824 difference between the cheapest ($200) and most expensive ($13,024) programs reflects Puerto Rico's mixed educational model. Public institutions like Colegio Universitario de San Juan receive territorial subsidies that drive costs near zero, while private colleges like Universidad del Sagrado Corazon operate without such support. The 15 programs include both nonprofit and for-profit institutions, creating this unusual cost spectrum. This variation gives students unprecedented choice in balancing affordability against specific program features.

How do earnings compare across different nursing program types in Puerto Rico?

Graduate earnings range from $15,288 to $33,708, with private institutions generally producing higher earners. Universidad del Sagrado Corazon graduates average $33,708, while Universidad Central de Bayamón graduates earn $15,721 despite similar program costs. CEM College-Humacao produces graduates earning $28,055, justifying its $9,418 net cost through strong employment outcomes. These earnings reflect specialization levels and connections to Puerto Rico's medical facilities and research institutions.

Is the cheapest nursing program actually worth attending?

Colegio Universitario de San Juan's $200 net cost comes with trade-offs that serious students should consider. The program maintains a 30.10% graduation rate and 98.46% acceptance rate, suggesting minimal selectivity but significant attrition. Graduates earn $20,140 annually, placing them in the middle range for Puerto Rico nursing salaries. For students prioritizing debt avoidance, this represents genuine value, but success requires strong self-motivation given the institutional challenges.

Where do Puerto Rico nursing graduates find the best employment opportunities?

San Juan area programs consistently show stronger earning potential, with multiple institutions producing graduates earning over $22,000 annually. The capital region hosts major medical centers, research facilities, and administrative headquarters that prefer nursing administration and research specialists. Programs in smaller towns like Manati and Juana Díaz show graduation rates above 70%, suggesting strong local clinical partnerships. Puerto Rico's medical tourism industry also creates opportunities for specialized nursing roles serving international patients.

Does program selectivity correlate with nursing career outcomes in Puerto Rico?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically from 39.64% at EDP University-San Juan to 98.46% at Colegio Universitario de San Juan, but selectivity doesn't always predict success. Universidad del Sagrado Corazon accepts 55.23% of applicants yet produces the highest-earning graduates at $33,708. Meanwhile, highly selective EDP-San Juan shows only a 23.60% graduation rate despite earning $22,602. This suggests that institutional resources and clinical partnerships matter more than admission standards for nursing career preparation.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.