At $10,082/yr net price, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce graduates earn $24,908/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,082 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $40,328 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $24,908/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-9,092/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.9% |
| 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 | $9,321/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,319/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,608/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,251/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,061/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Doctoral | $54,713 | |
| Architecture. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $31,000 |
| 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 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $24,730 | $54,836 |
| Biotechnology. | Master | $24,421 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $24,140 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $24,035 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $22,420 |
The Risk Factor
47.9% of students at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce 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 here is weak. Ten years after enrolling, your median earnings land at $24,908 a year, barely above what you'd make without a degree. That number sets the tone for everything else at this campus.
Architecture is the one program that clears the bar, and even then only barely, at $28,598 a year. But it also carries $31,000 in debt, double the school-wide median of $15,500, so the extra pay gets eaten by loan payments. Teaching English or French as a second language pays close behind. After that, earnings fall off fast: Criminology graduates report $21,508 and Radio, Television, and Digital Communication just $20,140. None of these outcomes gives you real breathing room in a household budget.
The specific risk here is that low earnings meet a real graduation gamble. Only 48 of every 100 students finish, so half of you leave without the degree and still owe on whatever you borrowed. Non-completion with debt is the worst financial outcome, and it happens to a lot of people at this school.
The net price is the strongest thing going for you. At around $10,000 a year, and $9,321 if your family earns under $30k, the cost stays low across income tiers. Families over $110k pay $17,061, still modest for a private four-year school. The low price is what keeps the debt figure down and makes the poor earnings survivable.
This school fits you if cost and staying near Ponce matter more than salary, and if you target Architecture or the teaching path and finish. If you need a degree that lifts your income, look elsewhere, because the earnings data here does not deliver that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce worth the cost?
The school has low tuition at $10,082 per year, but graduates earn only $24,908 annually after 10 years. With a 48% graduation rate, many students don't finish their degrees, making the investment risky even at this price point.
What programs at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce have the best ROI?
Business Administration graduates earn $54,713 annually, making it the only program that significantly outpaces the school average. Architecture and Psychology graduates earn around $28,598, while other programs typically lead to below-average salaries.
How much debt do Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce graduates typically have?
Graduates leave with $15,500 in median debt, which is manageable compared to national averages. However, with low post-graduation earnings of $24,908, even this modest debt burden represents a significant portion of annual income.
Does Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce have good graduation rates?
Only 48% of students graduate, meaning more than half who enroll never complete their degree. This low completion rate increases the risk of taking on debt without receiving the credential needed for better employment opportunities.