Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,953/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,953/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $102,271 | $117,573 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $65,387 | $123,473 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $62,012 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $54,661 | |
| Public Health. | Master | $28,327 | $22,689 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $5,500 |
| Medicine. | Doctoral | $24,679 | $114,070 |
Analysis
The financial picture at University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences is hard to read from the undergraduate data alone, because this is a graduate-heavy health sciences campus and the single bachelor-level program listed pays poorly out of the gate. Median earnings across all graduates land near $46,000 ten years out, which is respectable for Puerto Rico's job market, but the one undergraduate program with data,registered nursing and related nursing tracks,reports first-year earnings around $25,000. That gap tells you the strong returns here come from graduate and professional degrees, not the bachelor's programs.
The nursing bachelor's carries very low debt, about $5,500. That is the school's biggest financial strength. Even at a starting salary near $25,000, a debt load that small is manageable, and nursing wages in Puerto Rico climb with experience and licensure. If you plan to work as a nurse on the island, the math works because you are borrowing almost nothing.
The risk is specific: this campus is built for medical, dental, pharmacy, and allied health careers that require years of graduate study. If you enroll expecting a bachelor's degree to pay off quickly, the nursing numbers show that early earnings are low. The payoff depends on you continuing into a licensed clinical field or a graduate program, and on staying in a Puerto Rico salary market that runs below stateside rates.
With two-thirds of students receiving Pell Grants, this school serves a lower-income population, and the low nursing debt suggests aid keeps borrowing down. If you are from a modest-income family in Puerto Rico aiming for a health career, the low debt makes this a reasonable financial bet. If you want a high-earning bachelor's degree on its own, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences worth the cost?
The ROI depends heavily on your program choice. Pharmacy graduates earn over $100,000 annually, making it a strong investment, while public health graduates average just $28,000. The school's focus on healthcare means most programs lead to stable careers, but earnings vary dramatically by specialty.
What are the highest paying programs at University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences?
Pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences graduates earn the most at over $102,000 per year. Dentistry follows at $65,000, then nursing at $62,000. Public health has the lowest returns at $28,000 annually, well below the overall graduate average of $46,000.
How much debt do University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences graduates typically have?
As a public university in Puerto Rico, tuition costs are significantly lower than mainland medical schools. This helps keep debt manageable for most programs, though pharmacy and dental students may still face substantial borrowing due to program length.
Does University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences have good job placement after graduation?
Healthcare programs generally offer strong job security, and Puerto Rico has ongoing demand for medical professionals. However, lower regional wages mean graduates often earn less than their mainland counterparts, even accounting for cost of living differences.