Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez at a Glance
The Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico is a private Catholic university with its main campus in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It provides courses leading to Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate degrees in education, business administration, the sciences, and arts and humanities. It also has campuses in Arecibo and Mayagüez, as well as a satellite extension in Coamo. It is also home to a School of Law and a School of Architecture. The university also founded a medical school, the Escuela de Medici…
Is Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Worth It?
At a value score of 22/100, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $24,908 — 54% below average — while paying $11,502/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 41% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 99% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $15,500 representing 62% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PR
Ranked #13 of 19 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Talmudical Seminary of Bobov | 81 | $2,840 | $22,432 |
| #2 | Dewey University-Carolina | 76 | $4,041 | $19,761 |
| #3 | Dewey University-Hato Rey | 73 | $3,577 | $19,761 |
| #4 | Dewey University-Juana Diaz | 64 | $5,554 | $19,761 |
| #5 | Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion | 51 | $9,136 | $20,707 |
| #6 | United Tribes Technical College | 49 | $3,569 | $25,292 |
| #13 | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez | 22 | $11,502 | $24,908 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in PR.
Best Programs at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
The highest-earning program at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $21,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Human Resources Management and Services at $11,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate from Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez earns $21,100, while a Human Resources Management and Services graduate earns $11,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates carry $14,050 in median debt vs. $12,380 for Human Resources Management and Services.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,502/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $21,100 | $21,100 | $14,050 |
| Criminology | $18,500 | $18,500 | $12,600 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $14,300 | $14,300 | $14,625 |
| Social Work | $13,900 | $13,900 | $14,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $13,400 | $13,400 | $12,000 |
| Biology, General | $13,000 | $13,000 | $13,600 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $12,900 | $12,900 | $14,221 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $11,600 | $11,600 | $12,380 |
Similar Colleges in PR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Mayaguez, PR
- Student Body
- 555 students
- Admission Rate
- 99%
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,502
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $24,908
- Median Student Debt
- $15,500