At $9,421/yr net price, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn $24,908/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,421 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $37,684 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $24,908/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-9,092/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 39.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,370/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,504/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,663/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $28,598 | $113,951 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Bachelor | $27,439 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $24,904 | $18,525 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $24,140 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $24,035 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $22,420 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $22,192 | |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $21,508 | $12,250 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $20,482 | $49,396 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $20,140 |
The Risk Factor
39.2% of students at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
The financial return here is weak. Ten years after enrolling, your median earnings sit at $24,908 a year, close to what a full-time minimum-wage job pays and below what most bachelor's degrees return. A net price around $9,421 a year and median debt of $15,500 keep the upfront cost low, but the payoff on the other end is thin.
Your best-paying major is Teaching English or French as a Second Language at $27,439, and even that barely clears the school's overall median. Liberal Arts and General Studies lands at $24,904 but carries the heaviest debt load on the list at $18,525, a bad combination. Criminology pays $21,508 against lighter debt of $12,250. Psychology is the weakest choice at $16,663, and Health Sciences trails at $15,090. None of these degrees pushes you into strong earning territory, and the two lowest-paying options leave you near or below the local wage floor.
The specific risk is completion. Only 39% of students finish, so there's a real chance you pay in, borrow, and leave without a degree. Retention holds at 82%, meaning most of you come back after year one but drop off before graduating. Debt without a diploma is the worst outcome, and it's a live possibility here.
The net price tiers actually rise as income falls into the middle: you pay $8,370 under $30k, but $11,663 in the $48-75k band. So a middle-income family pays more out of pocket than a low-income one.
This school fits you if you want to stay in the Arecibo area, keep debt low, and pursue teaching or criminology. Look elsewhere if you're borrowing heavily for psychology or health sciences, or if you need earnings that clear the low-$20,000s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo worth the cost?
With graduates earning just $24,908 ten years after enrollment and a 39% graduation rate, the financial return is poor despite the relatively low $9,421 annual cost. Most students struggle to complete their degrees, making this a high-risk investment.
What are the best paying majors at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
Psychology graduates earn the highest at $28,598, followed by Teaching English/French as a Second Language at $27,439. However, even these top programs pay below $30,000 annually, which limits long-term earning potential.
How much debt do students graduate with from Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
The median debt is $15,500, which is manageable compared to national averages. However, with low post-graduation earnings averaging under $25,000, even this modest debt burden could strain finances.
What is the graduation rate at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
Only 39% of students graduate, meaning most who enroll never complete their degree. This extremely low completion rate significantly increases the risk of attending without receiving any benefit from the investment.