Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico
Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico Worth It?
At a value score of 18/100, Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,540 — 12% below average — while paying $17,540/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 26% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #175 of 192 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 | Berea College | 100 | $6,106 | $43,150 |
| #2 | College of the Ozarks | 100 | $6,100 | $41,592 |
| #3 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #6 | Niagara University | 59 | $17,248 | $56,196 |
| #175 | Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico | 18 | $17,540 | $47,540 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico
The highest-earning program at Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $40,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Architecture at $19,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico earns $40,200, while a Architecture graduate earns $19,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $21,833 in median debt vs. $24,667 for Architecture.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,540/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $40,200 | $40,200 | $21,833 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $33,600 | $33,600 | $20,500 |
| Civil Engineering | $23,900 | $23,900 | $23,333 |
| Architecture | $19,100 | $19,100 | $24,667 |
Similar Colleges in PR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Hato Rey, PR
- Student Body
- 3,594 students
- Graduation Rate
- 26%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,540
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,540
- Median Student Debt
- $22,564