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Small Colleges in Puerto Rico

50 schools in Puerto Rico. See our methodology.

Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Guayama stands out among Puerto Rico's smaller colleges with its remarkable 86.7% graduation rate, the highest among institutions serving fewer than 5,000 students on the island. This achievement becomes even more striking when considering its affordable $3,510 net price. The 67 small colleges across Puerto Rico serve distinct niches in the island's economy, from healthcare programs at Ponce Health Sciences University to technical training that feeds into the growing pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors. Net costs range dramatically from just $1,067 at Instituto Tecnologico's San Juan campus to $17,687 at specialized health sciences programs. Graduate earnings span from $18,694 to $41,544, reflecting the varied career paths these institutions prepare students for in Puerto Rico's evolving job market. The University of Puerto Rico system operates multiple campuses in this category, including locations in Humacao, Cayey, Ponce, and Arecibo, each serving between 2,200 and 2,800 students. These regional campuses play important roles in workforce development for local municipalities while maintaining the accessibility that makes higher education attainable for Puerto Rican families. Acceptance rates vary from competitive 33.8% programs to open-access institutions, ensuring educational opportunities exist across different academic preparation levels.
50
Schools
$7,586
Avg. Net Price
$25,372
Avg. Earnings
47.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Small Colleges in Puerto Rico

College listings
# School Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 262 $3,510 86.7% 75.0%
2 255 $4,039 74.3%
3 243 $4,142 70.8%
4 176 $6,310 62.5%
5 2,555 $13,487 52.9% 52.1%
6 2,246 $10,790 62.4%
7 2,201 $9,148 48.6% 49.3%
8 2,276 $7,455 50.6% 54.0%
9 356 $3,645 62.0%
10 460 $9,104 58.1%
11 65 $17,687 77.8% 44.6%
12 2,494 $4,181 53.9%
13 190 $1,067 54.7% 62.4%
14 2,788 $11,759 50.7% 60.0%
15 758 $10,933 69.0% 100.0%
16 2,641 $9,034 42.7% 40.1%
17 207 $2,879 54.9%
18 3,453 $8,783 33.0% 33.8%
19 414 $5,907 56.5%
20 90 $8,011 59.1% 77.8%
21 2,275 $8,036 35.4% 33.3%
22 4,042 $13,024 43.6% 55.2%
23 270 $4,704 52.2%
24 2,602 $8,245 43.1% 52.8%
25 1,661 $8,932 39.4% 47.0%
26 480 $5,196 50.8%
27 3,791 $16,338 23.6%
28 113 $7,635 44.0%
29 3,002 $7,607 38.7% 45.7%
30 2,692 $8,964 31.6% 46.8%
31 2,367 $14,072 40.2% 55.4%
32 297 $2,407 61.5% 91.9%
33 419 $6,680 41.7%
34 429 $5,426 44.6%
35 545 $6,544 42.6%
36 1,149 $8,787 32.9% 44.7%
37 4,383 $7,569 36.4%
38 623 $6,392 36.7%
39 551 $2,249 35.0%
40 1,517 $6,305 35.7%
41 1,847 $8,142 47.7% 76.8%
42 174 $9,418 44.0%
43 295 $5,244 57.1% 84.5%
44 4,579 $7,559 31.1%
45 348 $4,863 38.1%
46 1,258 $4,989 23.6% 39.6%
47 919 $7,382 38.4% 67.8%
48 769 $8,471 46.0% 83.1%
49 192 $11,987 21.1%
50 594 $4,285 37.9% 80.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico's graduation rates so high?

Both Instituto Tecnologico campuses achieve strong completion rates, with Guayama at 86.7% and San Juan at 54.7%. Their focused technical programs, small class sizes with enrollments under 300 students, and industry connections help students stay engaged and complete degrees that directly align with Puerto Rico's job market needs.

How do University of Puerto Rico branch campuses compare in size and performance?

UPR operates four campuses under 5,000 students: Humacao (2,555), Arecibo (2,788), Ponce (2,276), and Cayey (2,201). Graduation rates range from 48.6% to 52.9%, while acceptance rates stay competitive between 49% and 60%. Net costs span $7,455 to $13,487 across these locations.

Is there a significant cost difference between public and private small colleges?

Private institutions like Dewey University campuses offer net prices around $3,600-$4,200, while UPR campuses range from $7,455-$13,487. However, specialized programs like Ponce Health Sciences reach $17,687. The lowest cost option remains Instituto Tecnologico San Juan at just $1,067 annually.

Does enrollment size correlate with graduation success at these colleges?

Smaller institutions often show stronger completion rates. Schools with under 500 students like Instituto Tecnologico Guayama (262 students, 86.7% graduation) and Dewey campuses (243-356 students, 62-74% graduation) typically outperform larger institutions with 2,000+ enrollments that average around 50% completion rates.

What earning potential do graduates from these small colleges achieve?

Graduate earnings range from $18,694 to $41,544 ten years after enrollment. Albizu University San Juan leads at $41,544, followed by UPR campuses around $29,000-$31,400. Technical institutes and Dewey campuses cluster around $19,000-$26,000, reflecting different career paths and regional economic factors.

Where do the most selective small colleges operate in Puerto Rico?

Ponce Health Sciences University maintains the lowest acceptance rate at 44.6% with only 65 students enrolled, reflecting its specialized medical focus. UPR campuses range from 49% to 60% acceptance rates. Several institutions maintain 100% acceptance, including Albizu University with 758 students enrolled.

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.