Students at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce benefit from exceptional affordability and financial aid support that makes Catholic higher education accessible to low-income families.
The university's commitment to serving Pell-eligible students while maintaining manageable debt levels provides educational access despite modest post-graduation earnings.
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce serves a predominantly low-income student population with strong financial aid support, though graduates face significant earnings challenges. With over 81% of students receiving Pell Grants and net prices well below national averages, the university provides accessible Catholic higher education in Puerto Rico. However, the institution ranks in the bottom 3% nationally for graduate earnings, with median 10-year earnings of just $24,908.
The university's mission centers on serving first-generation and low-income students, with about 31% being first-generation college students. While affordability ranks in the top 21% nationally, the extremely low earnings outcomes reflect both regional economic conditions in Puerto Rico and limited high-paying career pathways for graduates. The institution operates as what mobility researchers classify as an "Under-Resourced Institution" - providing access but struggling to deliver strong economic outcomes.
For families prioritizing Catholic education and affordability over earnings potential, this university offers a pathway to higher education. However, prospective students should carefully consider the long-term financial implications of the modest earnings outcomes when making their college choice.
The program portfolio at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce reflects the institution's mission to serve local workforce needs, though earnings outcomes remain modest across all fields. Biology leads with 142 graduates but shows concerning earnings of just $13,702 ten years out, well below what biology majors typically earn at mainland institutions. Adult Health Nursing, with 80 graduates earning $10,740, represents another major pathway that serves community healthcare needs but offers limited financial returns.
The highest-earning program tracked reaches $28,598 with 20 graduates, providing some upside but still falling short of typical professional program outcomes. Psychology, with 55 graduates earning $16,663, rounds out the major programs and reflects the challenges facing liberal arts graduates in Puerto Rico's job market. These outcomes suggest that while the university prepares students for important community roles in healthcare, education, and social services, the regional economy limits earning potential across virtually all career paths.
The concentration in healthcare and life sciences programs aligns with Puerto Rico's workforce needs, but the earnings data reveals the economic constraints facing graduates who remain in the local job market. Students considering these programs should weigh their commitment to serving their community against the financial realities of modest long-term earnings potential.
Graduates of Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce face significant earnings challenges that place the institution among the lowest-performing universities nationally for financial returns. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of just $24,908, ranking in the bottom 3% of all institutions tracked. This represents a substantial earnings disadvantage compared to typical college graduates, reflecting both Puerto Rico's economic conditions and limited high-paying career opportunities for the university's graduates.
The university's program mix contributes to these modest outcomes. Biology graduates, representing the largest program with 142 students, earn a median of only $13,702 ten years out. Adult Health Nursing, another major program with 80 graduates, shows similarly low earnings at $10,740. Even the highest-earning program tracked earns just $28,598, well below what similar programs achieve at mainland institutions. Psychology graduates, with 55 students, earn $16,663, reflecting the challenges facing liberal arts graduates in Puerto Rico's job market.
While 115 graduates do eventually earn more than $75,000 annually, this represents a small fraction of the total graduate population. The university's return on investment ranks in the bottom 3% nationally, indicating that the combination of educational costs and post-graduation earnings creates challenging financial mathematics for most students and families.
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce excels in affordability, ranking in the top 21% nationally for keeping costs manageable for students and families. Low-income students pay just $9,321 annually after aid, while middle-income families face net costs of $13,608 per year. Even high-income families pay only $17,061, making this one of the more affordable private institutions in the United States. The university's strong financial aid programs help offset the sticker price for most students.
Debt levels remain relatively modest given the low earnings outcomes. Typical graduates leave with $15,500 in federal student loan debt, and Parent PLUS borrowing averages $6,085 - both figures that are reasonable compared to many private institutions. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, suggesting that despite low earnings, graduates are managing their debt obligations without defaulting on federal loans.
The combination of low net prices and modest debt loads helps explain why the institution can maintain strong affordability metrics despite the earnings challenges. For families prioritizing immediate affordability over long-term earning potential, the university delivers on keeping college costs manageable, though the trade-off in post-graduation income is substantial.
Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico-Ponce Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
