University of Puerto Rico-Carolina
University of Puerto Rico-Carolina — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Puerto Rico-Carolina at a Glance
The University of Puerto Rico is the main public university system in the U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is a government-owned corporation with 11 campuses and approximately 44,200 students and approximately 4,450 faculty members. UPR has the largest and most diverse academic offerings in the commonwealth, with 472 academic programs of which 32 lead to a doctorate.
Is University of Puerto Rico-Carolina Worth It?
At a value score of 23/100, University of Puerto Rico-Carolina is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $30,626 — 43% below average — while paying $12,945/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 39% 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.
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-Carolina has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of Puerto Rico-Carolina compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in PR
Ranked #27 of 35 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 | North Central State College | 71 | $4,687 | $38,158 |
| #6 | Trinidad State College | 47 | $10,772 | $36,475 |
| #27 | University of Puerto Rico-Carolina | 23 | $12,945 | $30,626 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Puerto Rico-Carolina'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-Carolina
The highest-earning program at University of Puerto Rico-Carolina is Hospitality Administration/Management at $14,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Graphic Communications at $8,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Hospitality Administration/Management graduate from University of Puerto Rico-Carolina earns $14,100, while a Graphic Communications graduate earns $8,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,945/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $14,100 | $14,100 | $8,166 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $10,600 | $10,600 | $4,750 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $10,400 | $10,400 | $5,500 |
| Graphic Communications | $8,700 | $8,700 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in PR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Carolina, PR
- Student Body
- 2,404 students
- Admission Rate
- 55%
- Graduation Rate
- 39%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,945
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $30,626
- Median Student Debt
- $5,500