Is Atenas College Worth It?

Atenas College delivers poor financial returns despite its low cost. With median earnings of just $20,231 ten years after graduation, graduates earn barely above the poverty line, making this one of the weakest ROI profiles among four-year colleges.

The nursing program shows mixed results with two separate data points revealing significant variation in outcomes. One nursing track produces graduates earning $15,288 annually with $8,168 in debt, while another yields only $10,673 in earnings. Even the better-performing nursing option generates income well below what registered nurses typically earn in mainland markets. Allied health programs perform worse, with diagnostic and intervention graduates earning $12,056 and medical assisting graduates making just $11,234.

You face substantial career limitations with an Atenas degree. The 42.6% graduation rate means more than half of students never finish, wasting time and money. Those who do graduate enter a constrained Puerto Rican job market where professional salaries lag far behind mainland standards.

This school works financially only if you plan to stay in Puerto Rico long-term and value the low $6,544 annual cost above career earning potential. The minimal debt load of $6,525 prevents crushing financial burden, but the earnings are so low that even small debts become challenging to repay.

Skip Atenas if you want geographic mobility or strong earning potential. The degree carries little recognition outside Puerto Rico, and the low graduation rate suggests weak academic support systems. Consider mainland community colleges or four-year schools with established nursing programs if you can access them.