University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez at a Glance
The University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus (UPRM) or Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez (RUM) in Spanish, is a public land-grant university in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The UPRM is the second-largest university campus of the University of Puerto Rico system, a member of the sea-grant, and the space-grant research consortia.
1911
115 years old
$107M
US$107 million
10,071
9,251 undergrad · 820 grad
1,026
315 acres
Identity
Is University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Worth It?
At a value score of 33/100, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,992 — 9% below average — while paying $17,936/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 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 $8,250 is manageable at just 17% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #71 of 104 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | CUNY Brooklyn College | 100 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| #6 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 100 | $3,203 | $56,195 |
| #71 | University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez | 33 | $17,936 | $48,992 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
The highest-earning program at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is Computer Engineering at $68,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $7,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Engineering graduate from University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez earns $68,700, while a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate earns $7,700. 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: Computer Engineering graduates carry $10,500 in median debt vs. $9,000 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,936/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $68,700 | $68,700 | $10,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $65,600 | $65,600 | $10,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $62,700 | $62,700 | $10,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $48,000 | $48,000 | $8,000 |
| Industrial Engineering | $44,600 | $44,600 | $6,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $40,600 | $40,600 | $8,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $31,200 | $31,200 | $6,875 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $24,000 | $24,000 | $8,325 |
| Plant Sciences | $22,300 | $22,300 | $9,000 |
| Biology, General | $21,500 | $21,500 | $6,400 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $16,700 | $16,700 | $7,000 |
| Animal Sciences | $13,700 | $13,700 | $11,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $11,500 | $11,500 | $10,900 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $7,700 | $7,700 | $9,000 |
Similar Colleges in PR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Mayaguez, PR
- Student Body
- 9,539 students
- Admission Rate
- 57%
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,936
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,992
- Median Student Debt
- $8,250