Students at Colegio Universitario De San Juan benefit from exceptional affordability, with low-income students paying just $29 annually in one of the most accessible higher education environments in the country.
The college opens its doors to students who need it most, though completion and earnings outcomes remain challenging.
Colegio Universitario De San Juan is a small public institution in Puerto Rico that serves as an access point for students seeking affordable higher education, particularly in healthcare fields. The college ranks in the 99th percentile nationally for access, enrolling primarily low-income students with 78% receiving Pell Grants and 45% being first-generation college students. However, the institution faces significant challenges in student outcomes, with only 30% of students completing their degree within six years.
The college's affordability is exceptional, with low-income students paying just $29 per year in net costs and middle-income families paying around $5,278 annually. This makes it one of the most affordable options in the country. Adult Health Nursing represents the primary program, graduating about 100 students annually, though earnings outcomes remain modest with graduates earning a median of $26,510 ten years after enrollment.
As an "Under-Resourced Institution" in Azimuth's mobility framework, the college provides broad access to higher education but struggles with completion rates and earnings outcomes. For students who can navigate the challenges and complete their programs, particularly in nursing, the institution offers a pathway to stable healthcare careers at minimal financial cost.
Colegio Universitario De San Juan focuses primarily on healthcare education, with Adult Health Nursing serving as the institution's flagship program. This program graduates approximately 100 students annually, representing the college's main pathway to professional careers in Puerto Rico's healthcare system. Nursing graduates earn around $20,140 in their early careers, reflecting both the stability of healthcare employment and the wage constraints of the local economy.
The concentration in nursing aligns with Puerto Rico's healthcare workforce needs, providing graduates with access to essential, recession-resistant careers in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings throughout the territory. While earnings remain modest compared to mainland nursing salaries, the program offers students a clear pathway to professional employment with opportunities for career advancement within the healthcare sector.
As a focused institution with limited program diversity, the college channels most of its resources into healthcare education, creating a specialized environment for students committed to nursing careers. This concentration allows for targeted support and industry connections, though it also limits options for students who might discover different interests during their academic journey.
Graduates of Colegio Universitario De San Juan face modest long-term earnings prospects, with a median income of $26,510 ten years after enrollment. This places the institution well below national averages for earnings outcomes, reflecting both the local economic context in Puerto Rico and the challenges facing the institution's academic programs. Only 16 graduates earn more than $75,000 annually, indicating limited pathways to higher-income careers.
The college's primary program is Adult Health Nursing, which graduates approximately 100 students per year with median earnings of $20,140 in the early career years. While nursing provides stable employment opportunities in Puerto Rico's healthcare system, the earnings reflect the territory's lower wage structure compared to mainland United States markets. The concentration in healthcare fields offers graduates access to essential, recession-resistant careers, though financial upside remains constrained by regional economic conditions.
Earnings outcomes consistently fall short of expectations when compared with similar institutions, suggesting that graduates earn less than peers at comparable colleges nationwide. This pattern reflects both institutional resource constraints and the broader economic challenges facing Puerto Rico, where even professional careers often yield lower compensation than similar roles in other parts of the United States.
Colegio Universitario De San Juan stands out as one of the most affordable higher education options in the United States. Low-income students pay just $29 per year in net costs, while middle-income families face annual expenses of approximately $5,278. This exceptional affordability places the institution in the 98th percentile nationally, making it accessible to students who might otherwise be unable to afford college.
The college's affordability stems from a combination of federal Pell Grant funding, local subsidies, and the institution's public mission to serve Puerto Rico's student population. With nearly 78% of students receiving Pell Grants, the vast majority of the student body qualifies for substantial financial aid that covers most or all educational expenses. This creates an environment where students can pursue higher education without taking on significant debt burdens.
For families throughout Puerto Rico and beyond, the college represents a rare opportunity to access higher education at minimal cost. The affordability advantage is particularly meaningful given the territory's economic challenges, allowing students to invest in their education without compromising family financial stability or accumulating debt that could prove difficult to repay in the local job market.
Colegio Universitario De San Juan Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
