At $7,455/yr net price, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce graduates earn $31,394/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,455 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,820 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $31,394/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-2,606/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $5,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,047/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,848/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,335/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,538/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,585/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $16,169 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Bachelor | $12,776 | $5,000 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other. | Bachelor | $12,221 | $5,500 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Bachelor | $9,167 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $6,765 |
The Risk Factor
50.6% of students at University of Puerto Rico at 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. Median earnings ten years out sit at $31,394, and while your net price stays low near $7,455 a year with median debt of only $5,500, the low earnings mean the payoff is thin no matter how little you borrow. This is a low-cost, low-return school where the main thing protecting you is that you won't owe much.
The program-level numbers make the problem clear. Even the top-earning field, Computer and Information Sciences, reports just $16,169 a year for graduates, and it drops from there: psychology at $12,776, biological sciences at $12,221, business support services at $9,167, and allied health at $6,765. None of these bachelor's programs put you near a strong regional wage. If you enroll, computer and information sciences is your best financial bet by a wide margin, and allied health is the weakest listed.
The specific risk is earnings, not debt. You can finish without heavy loans, and half of you graduate within six years while 80 percent return after the first year. But low graduate pay ties directly to Puerto Rico's weak wage market, and a degree here does not lift you far above it.
This school fits you if you need to stay in the Ponce area, want to keep costs down, and plan to build on this degree with graduate school or licensure. It's a poor fit if you're borrowing to attend expecting the degree alone to raise your income.
Net price barely moves across income tiers, running from about $7,047 if your family earns under $30k to $9,585 above $110k. Lower-income families don't get a steep discount here, so budget for close to the full posted price regardless of where you fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Puerto Rico at Ponce worth the cost?
With a net price of $7,455 and median earnings of $31,394 ten years after graduation, UPR Ponce offers decent value for a low-cost education. However, the 50.6% graduation rate means half of students don't finish their degrees.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Puerto Rico at Ponce?
Computer and Information Sciences graduates earn the most at $16,169 annually, followed by Clinical Psychology at $12,776. These earnings are significantly below national averages for these fields.
How much debt do University of Puerto Rico at Ponce graduates have?
The median debt is only $5,500, which is very low compared to most colleges. This makes UPR Ponce a relatively safe choice for avoiding heavy student loans.
Does University of Puerto Rico at Ponce have good job prospects after graduation?
Graduate earnings average $31,394 after ten years, which is low even accounting for Puerto Rico's cost of living. The computer science program shows the best earning potential among available majors.