About CEM College-San Juan
CEM College-San Juan serves as a small professional training institution in Puerto Rico's capital city. The college enrolls just 178 students and operates on a trimester calendar system. This private institution focuses on career-oriented programs designed to prepare students for the local job market. The student body is entirely Hispanic and draws exclusively from Puerto Rico. Women make up 72% of enrollment, reflecting the college's emphasis on fields that traditionally attract more female students.
Nearly 90% of students receive financial aid, making education accessible to low-income families. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of $15,871 annually. However, the financial picture becomes concerning when looking at outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $21,033 ten years after enrollment, which is quite low compared to most college graduates. Students typically graduate with $5,000 in debt and make monthly loan payments of $53. Only 54% of borrowers successfully repay their loans.
The college faces significant retention challenges with only half of students returning for their second year. The 4-year graduation rate stands at 32%, while the 6-year rate reaches just 26%. With an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personalized attention, but the employment rate of 54% suggests mixed success in job placement after graduation.
Nearly 90% of students receive financial aid, making education accessible to low-income families. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of $15,871 annually. However, the financial picture becomes concerning when looking at outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $21,033 ten years after enrollment, which is quite low compared to most college graduates. Students typically graduate with $5,000 in debt and make monthly loan payments of $53. Only 54% of borrowers successfully repay their loans.
The college faces significant retention challenges with only half of students returning for their second year. The 4-year graduation rate stands at 32%, while the 6-year rate reaches just 26%. With an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personalized attention, but the employment rate of 54% suggests mixed success in job placement after graduation.
Academics & Faculty
CEM College-San Juan operates as a small private institution serving Puerto Rico's Hispanic community with specialized career-focused programs. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio provides intimate classroom settings for the 178 enrolled students. However, only 26% of students graduate within six years, suggesting academic challenges despite the personalized attention. The college emphasizes practical training in business and healthcare fields, preparing students for local employment opportunities. Nearly 90% of students receive financial aid, reflecting the institution's role in serving economically disadvantaged populations. The trimester calendar system allows for accelerated coursework, though retention struggles at 50% indicate many students face obstacles completing their programs.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 32.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 25.8%
- Retention Rate
- 50.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $21,033
- Carnegie Classification
- Associate College (High Career)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $28,055 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $13,702 |
Campus Life
San Juan's tropical climate means students need sunscreen year-round, not winter coats. CEM College sits in Puerto Rico's bustling capital, where temperatures hover in the 80s and ocean breezes provide relief from humidity. The small campus of 178 students creates an intimate environment where the 11:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every face.
Women make up 72% of the student body, and the entirely Hispanic student population reflects the local community. With 100% of students from Puerto Rico, campus life feels deeply connected to island culture. The trimester calendar system keeps academics moving quickly through the year. Students often spend weekends exploring San Juan's historic Old Town, beaches, or active nightlife scene just minutes away. The 50% retention rate suggests many students struggle to stay, but those who remain benefit from small class sizes and proximity to internship opportunities in Puerto Rico's largest city. Monthly loan payments average just $53, making the financial burden lighter than many mainland colleges.
Women make up 72% of the student body, and the entirely Hispanic student population reflects the local community. With 100% of students from Puerto Rico, campus life feels deeply connected to island culture. The trimester calendar system keeps academics moving quickly through the year. Students often spend weekends exploring San Juan's historic Old Town, beaches, or active nightlife scene just minutes away. The 50% retention rate suggests many students struggle to stay, but those who remain benefit from small class sizes and proximity to internship opportunities in Puerto Rico's largest city. Monthly loan payments average just $53, making the financial burden lighter than many mainland colleges.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Calendar System
- Trimester
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 66°–84°F
- July Avg
- 73°–89°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 70.8"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
CEM College serves exclusively Hispanic students from Puerto Rico who need affordable career preparation. Nearly 90% qualify for Pell Grants, reflecting the school's mission to provide higher education access to lower-income families on the island. Women make up nearly three-quarters of the 178-student body, which aligns with the college's focus on healthcare and business programs that traditionally attract more female students. The trimester calendar system allows working students to balance education with employment. This small community creates tight-knit relationships between classmates pursuing practical career skills.
- Men
- 27.5%
- Women
- 72.5%
- White
- 0.0%
- Black
- 0.0%
- Hispanic
- 100.0%
- Asian
- 0.0%
- In-State Students
- 100.0%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 89.5%
Location
CEM College-San Juan sits in Puerto Rico's capital and largest city, home to 2.4 million people in the metro area. The campus operates on a trimester system in the heart of San Juan's urban landscape. Students experience life in a major Caribbean metropolis with historic Old San Juan, beaches, and a active cultural scene. The college serves an entirely Hispanic student body with 100% of students from Puerto Rico. Women make up 72.47% of the small 178-student enrollment. The urban setting provides internship and job opportunities in finance, tourism, and government sectors. Students considering colleges in Puerto Rico may also compare CEM College-San Juan with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- San Juan, Puerto Rico 00926-1931
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $21,033
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $20,872
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $18,500
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 54.3%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $53/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $5,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at CEM College-San Juan?
CEM College-San Juan is a small for-profit institution with just 178 students enrolled. The college focuses on serving Puerto Rico's Hispanic community, with 100% of students being Hispanic and all students coming from in-state.
How much does CEM College-San Juan cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $14,817, though costs vary by income level. Nearly 90% of students receive financial aid, with those from families earning $30,000-$48,000 paying just $8,862 after aid.
What are class sizes like at CEM College-San Juan?
The student-faculty ratio is 11:1, providing relatively small class sizes for personalized attention. The college operates on a trimester calendar system, allowing students to complete coursework more quickly than traditional semester schools.
What are the graduation rates at CEM College-San Juan?
Only 32% of students graduate within four years, and the six-year graduation rate is 26%. The retention rate is 50%, meaning half of first-year students return for their second year.
Where do CEM College-San Juan graduates work after college?
Graduates earn a median of $21,033 ten years after enrollment, which is below average for college graduates. The employment rate is 54%, and median student debt is relatively low at $5,000.
Is CEM College-San Juan diverse in terms of gender?
Women make up 72% of the student body, while men represent 28%. The college serves exclusively Hispanic students in San Juan, reflecting its mission to serve the local Puerto Rican community.
