At $8,264/yr net price, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez graduates earn $24,908/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,264 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $33,056 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $24,908/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-9,092/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 42.1% |
| 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 | $7,867/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,404/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,642/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,024/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $22,420 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $22,192 | |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $21,508 | $12,250 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $15,090 | $17,500 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $15,090 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $14,935 | $18,875 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $14,318 |
The Risk Factor
42.1% of students at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The financial return at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is weak. Ten years after enrolling, median earnings sit under $25,000 a year, which is close to what a full-time minimum-wage job pays and below what a bachelor's degree should return. The low net price of about $8,000 a year keeps your costs down, and median debt around $15,500 is modest, but the earnings on the other side of that investment do not clear a comfortable margin.
The programs that pay off best still pay poorly. Teaching English or French as a second language leads the list, yet it tops out near $27,000. Liberal arts and criminology land in the low $20,000s. Health services and human resources graduates report around $15,000, which is the weakest outcome here and does not justify the roughly $17,500 in debt HR graduates carry. No program on this campus produces earnings that would be considered strong nationally.
Two risks stand out. First, a 42% graduation rate means fewer than half of you finish, and leaving with debt and no degree is the worst financial outcome. Second, the regional Puerto Rico job market pays low wages across the board, so the earnings ceiling is real regardless of major.
The net price tiers are gentle at the bottom. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $7,900 a year. that climbs to roughly $13,000 once family income passes $75,000. Lower-income families get the better deal here.
This school is a reasonable fit if you plan to live and work in Puerto Rico, keep costs low, and value a specific program like teaching. If you need earnings that clear $30,000 to service loans or relocate, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez worth the cost?
With graduates earning a median of $24,908 ten years after graduation and a low graduation rate of 42%, the financial return is poor even at the relatively affordable net price of $8,264 per year. Most students would see better career outcomes at other institutions.
What are the best paying programs at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez?
Teaching English or French as a Second Language offers the highest earnings at $27,439, followed by Liberal Arts at $24,904. However, all programs at this school produce below-average earnings compared to similar degrees elsewhere.
How much student debt do graduates from Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez typically have?
The median debt is $15,500, which is manageable compared to many schools. However, with low post-graduation earnings around $25,000, even this modest debt burden may be challenging to repay.
What is the graduation rate at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez?
Only 42% of students graduate, meaning more than half who enroll never finish their degree. This low completion rate significantly reduces the school's value proposition and increases the risk of taking on debt without earning a credential.