Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico: $9,810 Tuition

$9,810Tuition

3,791Students

24%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$47,540Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearNAIAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico

Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico serves the island's engineering and technology workforce with programs taught primarily in Spanish. The university enrolls 3,791 students in the heart of Hato Rey's financial district. Men make up 71% of the student body, reflecting the technical focus that has made this institution a pipeline for Puerto Rico's infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. The trimester calendar system allows students to accelerate their studies or spread coursework across the year.

Students pay an average net price of $16,338 after financial aid, with 62% receiving some form of assistance. Graduates earn a median of $47,540 ten years after starting college, while carrying typical debt of $22,564. The monthly loan payment of $239 represents a manageable burden for most engineering graduates. Nearly 80% of graduates find employment, often staying on the island to build Puerto Rico's technical infrastructure.

The school struggles with retention, keeping only 77% of students after their first year. The graduation rate of 24% within six years reflects the demanding technical curriculum and the financial pressures many students face. However, those who persist often find stable careers in Puerto Rico's growing technology sector, making the investment worthwhile for committed engineering students.

Academics & Faculty

Universidad Politécnica specializes in engineering and technology education, making it Puerto Rico's top Spanish-language technical university. The school serves a primarily Hispanic student body with 99.47% Hispanic enrollment, offering programs that bridge technical education with cultural identity. Students work closely with faculty in a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, though the 23.60% six-year graduation rate suggests many students face significant academic challenges. The university's trimester calendar system allows for accelerated learning in engineering disciplines. With 3,791 students focused on technical fields, the school creates a concentrated environment for aspiring engineers and technologists. Most graduates enter Puerto Rico's growing technology sector, with median earnings reaching $47,540 ten years after graduation.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Full-Time Faculty: 62.9%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 21.9%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 23.6%
Retention Rate: 77.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $47,540
Carnegie Classification: Master's University (Medium)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Engineering-Related Fields.	Master	$53,775
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Master	$53,358
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.	Bachelor	$40,467
Mechanical Engineering.	Bachelor	$33,993
Industrial Engineering.	Bachelor	$25,194
Civil Engineering.	Bachelor	$24,615
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$21,508
Architecture.	Bachelor	$18,315

View all 43 programs →

Campus Life

This urban campus sits in the heart of San Juan's financial district, where students navigate between modern office buildings and engineering labs. With housing for only 119 students and total enrollment of 3,791, just 3% of students live on campus. Most commute from across Puerto Rico, creating a quieter weekend atmosphere as students return home to family.

The tropical climate means you'll need sunscreen year-round, not winter coats. Students spend breaks between classes in air-conditioned study spaces or grab café con leche from nearby vendors. With 71% male enrollment reflecting the engineering focus, the campus has a distinctly technical atmosphere. The trimester system keeps academic momentum high, while Spanish-language instruction creates an immersive environment for the 99% Hispanic student body.

Weekend social life often centers around San Juan's beaches, Old San Juan's historic streets, or family gatherings. The small athletic program with 79 total athletes across 12 sports provides some campus spirit, but this isn't a traditional college sports scene. Students bond over shared problem sets and lab projects rather than dormitory life.

Setting: City-Large
Housing Capacity: 119 beds
Calendar System: Trimester
Study Abroad: Available

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 66°–84°F
July Avg: 72°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 75.9"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Nearly all students come from Puerto Rico itself, reflecting the university's deep roots in the local community and its unique mission as a Spanish-language engineering institution. Men make up roughly three-quarters of the student body, a typical gender split for technology-focused universities. About two-thirds of students receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class Puerto Rican families seeking upward mobility through technical education. The overwhelmingly Hispanic student population mirrors the island's demographics, while the strong local draw demonstrates how PUPR fills a specific niche in Puerto Rico's higher education landscape.

Men: 71.1%
Women: 28.9%
White: 0.2%
Black: 0.1%
Hispanic: 99.5%
Asian: 0.1%
In-State Students: 99.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 62.3%

Location

Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico sits in Hato Rey, the financial district of San Juan, Puerto Rico's bustling capital city. The campus operates in the heart of Puerto Rico's largest metropolitan area, home to over 2.3 million residents. Students study surrounded by corporate headquarters, banks, and government offices in what locals call the "Golden Mile." The urban setting provides internship opportunities with major companies and engineering firms. Nearly all students (99.27%) come from Puerto Rico itself. The campus serves a predominantly Hispanic student body (99.47%) in an area known for its mix of modern business towers and tropical Caribbean culture. Students considering colleges in Puerto Rico may also compare Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico with similar schools in the region.

Address: Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00919

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $47,540
Median Earnings (5 years): $59,734
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 53.4%
Monthly Loan Payment: $239/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $22,564

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico?

Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico maintains open enrollment policies typical of many technical universities serving local populations. The school primarily serves Puerto Rican students, with 99.27% of students coming from in-state and 99.47% identifying as Hispanic.

How much does Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $16,338 annually after financial aid. With 62.32% of students receiving Pell Grants and the same percentage getting financial aid, the university serves a predominantly low-income student population seeking affordable technical education.

What are the academic programs like at Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico?

The university specializes in engineering and technology programs taught primarily in Spanish, serving Puerto Rico's technical workforce needs. With a 17:1 student-faculty ratio and 3,791 total students, the school maintains a focused approach to technical education in the local language.

What are the graduation outcomes at Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico?

The university has a 23.60% six-year graduation rate and graduates earn a median of $47,540 ten years after graduation. While graduation rates are low, the 79.6% employment rate shows that graduates who complete their programs find work in Puerto Rico's technical sectors.

What is campus life like at Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico?

The Hato Rey campus serves a predominantly male student body, with men comprising 71.14% of enrollment. With only 119 housing spaces available, most of the 3,791 students commute to this urban technical university.

Does Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico offer athletic programs?

The university competes in NAIA athletics with 12 varsity sports and 79 total student-athletes. The school provides $215,000 in athletic scholarships, offering opportunities for student-athletes to combine technical education with competitive sports.