University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla combines open access admission with exceptional affordability outcomes. The institution maintains a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20 while serving 82% Pell-eligible students, demonstrating strong financial stewardship for lower-income populations seeking higher education access.
With modestly below average performance, reflecting lower absolute earnings despite controlled debt levels
With the tier phrase 'among the highest we track,' driven by exceptionally low debt levels and reasonable net prices
With top-tier performance, reflecting the institution's strong service to Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With above average performance, indicating reasonable economic advancement outcomes
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTop 1% nationally for affordability
University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla ranks #327 nationally with performance at the 79.9th percentile, demonstrating well above average outcomes overall. Located in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, this small public university maintains open access admission with an 81.7% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional affordability.
The institution enrolls 82.0% Pell-eligible students and 28.2% first-generation students, indicating strong service to lower-income populations. With a 97.9% retention rate significantly above the peer median of 72.9%, the university demonstrates exceptional student support despite a lower 47.7% completion rate.
Graduates earn a median of $27,997 ten years after enrollment, placing it modestly below average at the 7th percentile nationally. However, the institution achieves earnings around the national average when accounting for student backgrounds, with earnings beyond expectations performance at the 51.8th percentile.
The university's primary strength lies in affordability, ranking at the 99.6th percentile with exceptionally low debt levels.
University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla delivers strong value through exceptionally low debt levels combined with reasonable earnings outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $27,997 ten years after enrollment, with earnings ranging from $15,965 at the 25th percentile to $46,016 at the 75th percentile.
While absolute earnings rank modestly below average at the 7th percentile nationally, the university performs around the national average when accounting for student demographics, with earnings beyond expectations at the 51.8th percentile. The institution's strongest advantage lies in debt management, with median student debt of just $5,500 compared to a peer median of $21,500—a difference of $16,000.
Puerto Rican students seeking affordable higher education with open access admission and strong retention support. Best suited for those prioritizing low debt burdens over maximum earnings potential, particularly students interested in business, education, or digital marketing fields where the university demonstrates competitive program strength.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-puerto-rico-aguadilla/analysis.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla's published cost of attendance is $14,727 per year, including $5,954 in tuition, $4,168 for books and supplies, with room and board costs not separately reported. However, the average student pays just $8,142 after financial aid, representing savings of $6,585 through institutional and federal aid programs.
This net price places the university well below the peer median of $13,302, making it $5,160 more affordable than comparable institutions. The combination of low published costs and substantial financial aid creates exceptional affordability for students across all income levels.
University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla's net price advantage reflects both the university's public mission and Puerto Rico's lower cost structure compared to mainland institutions. Students should understand that these costs represent comprehensive educational expenses, with the university's financial aid office working to minimize out-of-pocket costs for eligible students.
The substantial gap between sticker price and average net cost indicates most students receive meaningful financial assistance, making higher education accessible regardless of family income level.
University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median earnings increasing from $18,193 six years after enrollment to $24,655 at eight years and $27,997 at ten years, representing 53.9% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes reflect a substantial ten-year cohort of 1,879 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures.
The university performs around the national average when accounting for student backgrounds, with earnings beyond expectations showing typical performance at the 51.8th percentile. Earnings distribution spans from $15,965 at the 25th percentile to $46,016 at the 75th percentile, reflecting a 2.9:1 ratio between top and bottom quartile outcomes.
Graduate school continuation is estimated at 19.2% based on program mix analysis, though this estimate carries low confidence. Compared to peer institutions with similar characteristics, University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla graduates earn $18,677 less annually than the peer median of $46,674, reflecting the regional economic context and program focus on business and education fields.
University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla admits approximately 81.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 in 5 applicants receive admission offers. This places the institution in the Open Access category, making it highly accessible to prospective students.
The peer median admission rate of 84.2% indicates similar accessibility levels among comparable institutions, with University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla being only slightly more selective by 2.4 percentage points. This level of admission selectivity means that most academically prepared students should expect favorable admission odds, though meeting basic academic requirements remains important.
The university's open access philosophy aligns with its mission to serve diverse student populations, particularly the 82% Pell-eligible enrollment it maintains. Students should view University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla as an accessible option while still preparing competitive application materials.
The combination of reasonable selectivity and strong retention rates suggests the institution successfully matches admitted students with appropriate academic support systems. For prospective students, this admission rate indicates they should focus more on program fit and career alignment than admission probability when evaluating the university.
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
25 graduates
Agricultural Teacher Education.
22 graduates
Digital Marketing.
56 graduates
Information Resources Management.
17 graduates
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching.
28 graduates
University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla offers 5 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Digital Marketing ranks #184 nationally and #2 in Puerto Rico, producing the largest cohort of 56 graduates with median earnings of $20,571 and a value score of 16.1, making it the university's flagship program by enrollment.
Executive/Career Coaching ranks #57 nationally and #1 in Puerto Rico, graduating 34 students with median earnings of $19,199. Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching ranks #217 nationally and #6 in Puerto Rico, with 28 graduates earning $19,805.
Accounting Technology ranks #268 nationally and #6 in Puerto Rico, graduating 25 students with the highest median earnings of $24,880. Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #134 nationally and #1 in Puerto Rico, graduating 22 students with median earnings of $22,873.
All five programs hold flagship status at the institution, indicating concentrated program focus in business and education fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Puerto Rico At Cayey Similar quality tier in Territories (#330 ranked) | PR | 96% | $30,958 | #330 | Compare |
Norfolk State University Similar quality tier (#332 ranked) | VA | 87% | $44,666 | #332 | Compare |
University Of Illinois Springfield Similar quality tier (#336 ranked) | IL | 84% | $57,103 | #336 | Compare |
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Similar quality tier (#338 ranked) | MA | 95% | $82,392 | #338 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Similar quality tier (#316 ranked) | MA | 92% | $68,804 | #316 | Compare |
