University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce at a Glance
The University of Puerto Rico at Ponce is a public college in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It is the only campus of the University of Puerto Rico on the southern region of the island.
1970
56 years old
4,000
199
86 acres
Identity
Is University of Puerto Rico at Ponce Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $31,394 — 42% below average — while paying $10,990/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 48% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Median student debt of $5,500 is manageable at just 18% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at University of Puerto Rico at Ponce has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of Puerto Rico at Ponce compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in PR
Ranked #22 of 41 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | Northern Marianas College | 100 | $2,789 | $27,836 |
| #3 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #4 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | North Central State College | 71 | $4,687 | $38,158 |
| #22 | University of Puerto Rico at Ponce | 35 | $10,990 | $31,394 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Puerto Rico at Ponce's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in PR.
Best Programs at University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
The highest-earning program at University of Puerto Rico at Ponce is Business Operations Support and Assistant Services at $9,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at $4,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Operations Support and Assistant Services graduate from University of Puerto Rico at Ponce earns $9,300, while a Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduate earns $4,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,990/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) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | $9,300 | $9,300 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $4,400 | $4,400 |
Similar Colleges in PR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Ponce, PR
- Student Body
- 2,278 students
- Admission Rate
- 52%
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,990
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $31,394
- Median Student Debt
- $5,500