At $11,759/yr net price, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn $30,512/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,759 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $47,036 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $30,512/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-3,488/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $4,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,261/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,466/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,259/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,208/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $14,935 | |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. | Bachelor | $14,627 | $5,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Bachelor | $13,702 | $4,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $12,879 | $5,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $11,851 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $11,234 | $4,500 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $10,463 | $5,250 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Bachelor | $10,092 |
The Risk Factor
50.7% of students at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo 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 University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is weak on the earnings side but cushioned by very low debt. Ten years out, you'd earn about $30,500, which sits near the bottom of what a four-year degree typically returns. The saving grace is that you'd leave with a median debt of $4,500, so you're not trading a small salary for a large loan payment. That gap between low pay and low debt is the whole story here.
Program earnings tell you where to be careful. The strongest-paying majors listed still start you under $15,000 a year in the years measured, with Business Administration and Microbiological Sciences at the top. Teacher Education anchors the bottom near $11,900, and Accounting carries the highest debt of the group at $5,500 for pay that lands mid-pack. None of these lines point to a program that pays off quickly, so the choice between them is more about your field than about a big money difference.
The specific risk is the local wage floor. These salary figures reflect a Puerto Rico job market where pay runs low across the board, and the earnings data shows it. If you stay on the island, plan around that reality. if you can move to the mainland after graduating, your STEM and business degrees may travel better than the numbers suggest.
On cost, net price barely moves across income tiers, running roughly $11,000 to $13,300 whether your family earns under $30k or up to $110k. Lower-income families actually pay slightly less. This school fits you if you want a low-debt bachelor's degree and plan to keep costs down. Look elsewhere if you need strong early earnings to justify the years spent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo worth the cost?
UPR-Arecibo offers strong value with a low net price of $11,759 and minimal debt at graduation ($4,500 median). However, the 10-year median earnings of $30,512 are relatively low, and only about half of students graduate.
What are the best paying majors at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
Business Administration leads with $14,935 median earnings, followed by Microbiological Sciences at $14,627. These programs offer the strongest financial returns, though all majors at UPR-Arecibo have modest earning potential compared to mainland universities.
How much debt do University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates have?
UPR-Arecibo graduates leave with very low debt, with a median of just $4,500. The low cost of attendance makes this school one of the most affordable options for students seeking to minimize borrowing.
What is the graduation rate at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
Only 50.7% of students graduate from UPR-Arecibo, which is below the national average. This completion rate is a significant concern for students considering the school's overall return on investment.