University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo: 60.0% Acceptance Rate

60.0%Acceptance

$5,324Tuition

2,788Students

51%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$30,512Earnings

#17 in Puerto RicoPublic4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindNAIAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo

The University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo serves as a regional center for students from Puerto Rico's northern coast, drawing 2,788 students to this small city campus. This branch of the strong UPR system focuses on providing accessible higher education to local communities. With a 60% acceptance rate, the university maintains selective but achievable admission standards. The campus operates on a semester system and emphasizes serving the educational needs of Puerto Rico's Spanish-speaking population.

Students face an average net price of $11,759, making this one of the more affordable options in higher education. However, graduates earn a median salary of $30,512 ten years after graduation, which may raise questions about return on investment. The relatively low median debt of $4,500 helps offset concerns about earning potential. With 86% of students receiving financial aid and qualifying for Pell Grants, the university clearly serves a population with significant financial need.

The student body is 61% female and entirely Hispanic, reflecting the campus's role in serving Puerto Rico's local population. With 78% of students returning for their sophomore year, retention suggests reasonable student satisfaction. The 51% six-year graduation rate indicates that many students face challenges completing their degrees within traditional timeframes.

Academics & Faculty

The University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo serves as a regional campus focused on providing accessible higher education to students from Puerto Rico's northern coastal region. With a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, students receive reasonable access to professors, though the 50.70% six-year graduation rate suggests academic challenges that many students face. The campus emphasizes undergraduate education with practical programs that prepare students for local employment opportunities. Nearly half of students graduate within four years at 49.64%, indicating that while academic support exists, students often need additional time to complete their degrees. As part of the larger UPR system, the campus maintains academic standards while serving a predominantly local student population seeking affordable education close to home.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Full-Time Faculty: 83.4%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 49.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 50.7%
Retention Rate: 78.8%
Median Earnings (10 years): $30,512
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$14,935
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology.	Bachelor	$14,627
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology.	Bachelor	$13,702
Accounting and Related Services.	Bachelor	$12,879
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.	Bachelor	$11,851
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$11,234
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians.	Bachelor	$10,463
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services.	Bachelor	$10,092

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Campus Life

The UPR-Arecibo campus sits in a small coastal city about an hour west of San Juan, where year-round temperatures stay in the 70s and 80s. Pack sunscreen, not winter coats. The student body of 2,788 is entirely Puerto Rican, creating a tight-knit community where Spanish dominates daily conversation. Women make up 60.65% of students, and most commute from nearby towns along the northern coast.

The 18:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students personally in this regional university setting. With 78.75% of freshmen returning for sophomore year, students clearly find their footing despite the commuter atmosphere. The Wolves compete in 16 NAIA sports with 145 total athletes, giving the campus an athletic presence. Weekend life centers around Arecibo's beaches and the famous radio telescope nearby. Students often head to San Juan for bigger city experiences. The campus serves families from working-class backgrounds, with 85.71% receiving financial aid and typical monthly loan payments of just $48 after graduation.

Setting: City-Small
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 61°–79°F
July Avg: 66°–86°F
Annual Precipitation: 84.6"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Students at UPR Arecibo come entirely from Puerto Rico, with a strong focus on serving the northern coastal region of the island. The student body is 100% Hispanic, reflecting the university's mission as a regional campus within the UPR system. Women make up 61% of the enrollment, suggesting strength in programs that traditionally attract female students. Nearly 86% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the university serves primarily low-income families from the local community. This demographic profile aligns with UPR Arecibo's role as an accessible educational pathway for first-generation college students from northern Puerto Rico.

Men: 39.4%
Women: 60.7%
White: 0.0%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 100.0%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 85.7%

Location

Arecibo sits on Puerto Rico's northern coast, about 50 miles west of San Juan. The city of roughly 87,000 residents is famous for hosting the former Arecibo Observatory, once the world's largest radio telescope. Students here experience a mid-sized coastal city with beaches nearby and the lush Cordillera Central mountains to the south. The campus serves 2,788 students, with 100% being Hispanic and all from Puerto Rico itself. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio reflects the university's regional focus on serving local communities. Downtown Arecibo offers urban amenities while maintaining a distinctly Puerto Rican cultural identity. Students considering colleges in Puerto Rico may also compare University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo with similar schools in the region.

Address: Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00614-4010

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $30,512
Median Earnings (5 years): $29,208
Loan Repayment Rate: 58.6%
Monthly Loan Payment: $48/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $4,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?

The acceptance rate is 60.04%, making it moderately selective for applicants. As a regional campus in the UPR system, it primarily serves students from Puerto Rico's northern coast. The university enrolls 2,788 students with a 78.75% retention rate.

How much does University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $11,759 per year, which is remarkably affordable for a four-year degree. Nearly 86% of students receive financial aid, and the same percentage are Pell Grant recipients. Graduates typically leave with just $4,500 in median debt.

What is the student-faculty ratio at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?

The student-faculty ratio is 18:1, providing reasonable access to professors in classroom settings. The university operates on a semester calendar system as part of the broader UPR network. Students benefit from the academic resources of a public university system with deep roots in Puerto Rican education.

What are the graduation outcomes at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?

The four-year graduation rate is 49.64%, while the six-year rate reaches 50.70%. Graduates earn a median salary of $30,512 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the regional job market. The employment rate stands at 39.6% for recent graduates.

Where is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Arecibo, a small city on Puerto Rico's northern coast known for its radio telescope. Student body demographics show 60.65% women and 39.35% men, with 100% of students being Puerto Rican residents. The Wolves compete in 16 NAIA varsity sports with 145 total athletes.

Does University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo serve a specific geographic region?

Yes, 100% of students are from Puerto Rico, with the campus specifically serving the northern coastal region of the island. As a regional UPR campus, it provides accessible higher education to local communities. The university maintains strong ties to the area's cultural and economic development needs.