About University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
The University of Puerto Rico at Ponce serves as the flagship campus for southern Puerto Rico, drawing 2,276 students to this mid-sized city setting. This regional university focuses heavily on undergraduate education within the broader UPR system. The campus maintains a 54% acceptance rate while serving an entirely Hispanic student body. Students benefit from being part of Puerto Rico's most respected public university system.
The financial picture tells a compelling story for local families. Students pay an average net price of $7,455 after aid, with 81% receiving financial assistance. Graduates leave with just $5,500 in median debt and monthly loan payments of only $58. However, the earnings trajectory starts modestly, with median income reaching $9,570 one year after graduation and climbing to $31,394 after ten years. The low debt burden helps offset the initially modest earning potential.
The campus maintains a 21:1 student-faculty ratio while achieving an 80% retention rate. Nearly half of students graduate within four years, reaching 51% by the six-year mark. The Lions compete in 12 NAIA sports with 124 total athletes. As a semester-based institution founded in 1970, UPR Ponce provides accessible higher education to students throughout southern Puerto Rico.
The financial picture tells a compelling story for local families. Students pay an average net price of $7,455 after aid, with 81% receiving financial assistance. Graduates leave with just $5,500 in median debt and monthly loan payments of only $58. However, the earnings trajectory starts modestly, with median income reaching $9,570 one year after graduation and climbing to $31,394 after ten years. The low debt burden helps offset the initially modest earning potential.
The campus maintains a 21:1 student-faculty ratio while achieving an 80% retention rate. Nearly half of students graduate within four years, reaching 51% by the six-year mark. The Lions compete in 12 NAIA sports with 124 total athletes. As a semester-based institution founded in 1970, UPR Ponce provides accessible higher education to students throughout southern Puerto Rico.
Academics & Faculty
The University of Puerto Rico at Ponce operates as a regional undergraduate-focused campus serving Puerto Rico's southern region. With a 21:1 student-faculty ratio, classes tend to be larger than at smaller colleges, though this reflects the public university model. The 46.79% four-year graduation rate suggests many students need extra time to complete their degrees, which is common at regional campuses where students often work while studying. As part of the broader UPR system, the campus offers solid undergraduate programs with an emphasis on serving local students. The 80.29% retention rate indicates most students who start here stay through their second year, finding the academic environment supportive enough to continue their studies.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 58.6%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 46.8%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 50.6%
- Retention Rate
- 80.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $31,394
- Carnegie Classification
- Baccalaureate College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $16,169 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Bachelor | $12,776 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other. | Bachelor | $12,221 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Bachelor | $9,167 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $6,765 |
Campus Life
The University of Puerto Rico at Ponce sits in Puerto Rico's second-largest city, about 75 miles south of San Juan. With 2,276 students on a compact urban campus, you'll recognize faces quickly in this close-knit community. The 21:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, not just your student ID number.
Pack sunscreen, not sweaters. Ponce enjoys year-round temperatures in the 80s with tropical breezes from the Caribbean coast just minutes away. The historic city center offers colorful colonial architecture, local cafeterías serving mofongo, and the famous Parque de Bombas firehouse. Students often head to nearby beaches on weekends or explore the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center. With 100% of students being Puerto Rican locals, campus culture blends academic life with island traditions. The Lions compete in 12 NAIA sports with 124 total athletes, creating school spirit despite the regional focus. Most students commute from nearby towns, making campus feel busiest during weekday class hours when study groups gather under palm trees between the academic buildings.
Pack sunscreen, not sweaters. Ponce enjoys year-round temperatures in the 80s with tropical breezes from the Caribbean coast just minutes away. The historic city center offers colorful colonial architecture, local cafeterías serving mofongo, and the famous Parque de Bombas firehouse. Students often head to nearby beaches on weekends or explore the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center. With 100% of students being Puerto Rican locals, campus culture blends academic life with island traditions. The Lions compete in 12 NAIA sports with 124 total athletes, creating school spirit despite the regional focus. Most students commute from nearby towns, making campus feel busiest during weekday class hours when study groups gather under palm trees between the academic buildings.
- Setting
- City-Midsize
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1970
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 62°–87°F
- July Avg
- 69°–91°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 37.5"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
Students at UPR Ponce represent the local Hispanic community throughout southern Puerto Rico. The enrollment of 2,276 draws entirely from the island, reflecting the campus's role as a regional educational center. Over 80% of students receive Pell Grants, showing the university serves working-class families seeking affordable higher education. Women make up 54% of the student body, typical for a full university. The Lions compete in 12 NAIA sports with 124 total athletes. As part of the UPR system founded in 1970, the campus maintains strong ties to Ponce and surrounding municipalities.
- Men
- 46.1%
- Women
- 54.0%
- White
- 0.0%
- Black
- 0.0%
- Hispanic
- 100.0%
- Asian
- 0.0%
- In-State Students
- 100.0%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 81.1%
Location
Ponce sits in southern Puerto Rico as the island's second-largest city, about 75 miles south of San Juan. The university serves 2,276 students in this historic Caribbean port city known as "La Perla del Sur" (The Pearl of the South). Ponce offers a mid-size urban setting with colonial architecture, museums, and proximity to both mountains and coast. The campus draws 100% of its students from Puerto Rico, reflecting its role as a regional center for southern communities. With 12 varsity sports teams competing as the Lions in NAIA athletics, the university maintains strong community ties. Students considering colleges in Puerto Rico may also compare University of Puerto Rico at Ponce with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Ponce, Puerto Rico 00716-9996
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $31,394
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $24,386
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 51.3%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $58/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $5,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of Puerto Rico at Ponce?
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce accepts 54% of applicants, making it moderately selective among regional universities. The school serves 2,276 students as part of the larger UPR system, focusing primarily on undergraduate education in southern Puerto Rico.
How much does University of Puerto Rico at Ponce cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $7,455 annually, with 81% receiving financial aid. Monthly loan payments average just $58, reflecting the university's mission to provide affordable higher education to Puerto Rican students.
What is the student-faculty ratio at University of Puerto Rico at Ponce?
The student-faculty ratio is 21:1, which is typical for regional public universities. About 80% of students return for their second year, indicating solid academic support despite the larger class sizes.
What are the graduation rates at University of Puerto Rico at Ponce?
The six-year graduation rate is 51%, with 47% completing degrees in four years. Graduates earn a median of $31,394 ten years after graduation, reflecting the university's role in preparing students for careers in the regional economy.
Where is University of Puerto Rico at Ponce located and what is the campus like?
The campus sits in Ponce, Puerto Rico's second-largest city with a mid-size urban environment. As a regional UPR campus founded in 1970, it serves exclusively Puerto Rican students with 100% Hispanic enrollment.
Does University of Puerto Rico at Ponce offer athletic programs?
The Lions compete in NAIA athletics with 12 varsity sports and 124 total athletes. The university awards $198,400 in athletic scholarships, providing opportunities for student-athletes in the southern region of Puerto Rico.
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