Students at Dewey University-Manati benefit from some of the lowest college costs in the nation, with net prices under $6,000 even for middle-income families.
The institution serves as an accessible pathway to nursing credentials for low-income students in Puerto Rico, though earnings outcomes remain modest compared to mainland institutions.
Dewey University-Manati is a small private nonprofit institution serving primarily low-income students in Puerto Rico. While Azimuth does not rank this institution due to limited comparative data, its profile is distinctive: nearly 90% of students receive Pell Grants, making it one of the most accessible institutions for low-income families nationwide. The university focuses heavily on nursing education, with Adult Health Nursing representing its primary program.
The institution operates with a clear mission of affordability over earnings optimization. Net prices are exceptionally low across income levels, with low-income students paying just $3,586 annually and middle-income families paying $5,898. However, graduates face significant earnings challenges, with median 10-year earnings of $19,761 falling well below national averages for college graduates.
As an "Under-Resourced Institution" in Azimuth's mobility framework, Dewey University-Manati provides broad access to higher education but struggles to deliver the earnings outcomes that typically drive economic mobility. For students seeking nursing credentials at minimal cost in Puerto Rico, it serves a specific regional need, though families should understand the trade-offs between affordability and long-term earning potential.
Dewey University-Manati operates with a highly focused academic portfolio centered on nursing education. Adult Health Nursing dominates the institution's offerings, graduating 42 students annually with early-career earnings around $20,140. This concentration reflects the university's mission to serve Puerto Rico's healthcare workforce needs, providing trained nurses for local hospitals and clinics.
The nursing program represents both the institution's strength and its limitation. While it provides stable employment in an essential field, the earnings potential remains constrained by Puerto Rico's regional wage structure. Healthcare salaries in Puerto Rico typically run 40-50% below mainland U.S. levels, which explains why even successful nursing graduates see modest earnings compared to national averages.
As a focused institution graduating small cohorts, Dewey University-Manati creates tight connections within Puerto Rico's healthcare community but limited pathways to higher-earning careers. Students should understand that the program is designed for local employment in nursing roles rather than high-mobility careers that might lead to mainland opportunities or significantly higher wages.
Graduates of Dewey University-Manati face significant earnings challenges compared to typical college outcomes. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $19,761, which places the institution among the lowest-earning colleges nationally. The earnings actually fall short of what similar students achieve at other institutions by about $2,059, indicating that graduates would likely earn more at alternative schools.
The university's program portfolio centers almost entirely on nursing, specifically Adult Health Nursing, which graduates 42 students annually with median earnings around $20,140 two years after graduation. While nursing provides stable employment in Puerto Rico's healthcare sector, the salary levels reflect regional economic conditions where healthcare wages are substantially lower than mainland U.S. markets. Only 8 graduates across all programs earn more than $75,000 ten years out, highlighting the limited high-earning pathways available through the institution's current academic offerings.
Dewey University-Manati excels in affordability, ranking in the top 1% nationally for keeping costs low. Low-income students pay just $3,586 per year after aid, while middle-income families see annual costs of $5,898. These figures represent some of the lowest net prices available at any four-year institution in the United States, making college accessible to families with very limited financial resources.
Debt levels remain minimal for most students. Typical graduates leave with about $5,185 in federal student loan debt, and the institution reports a 0% federal loan default rate, suggesting that even with modest post-graduation earnings, students can manage their limited borrowing. The combination of extremely low net prices and minimal debt creates a pathway to a college degree that doesn't burden families financially, though it comes with the trade-off of limited earning potential after graduation.
Dewey University-Manati Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
