University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo ranks among the top 5% nationally for affordability and access, serving 85.7% Pell-eligible students with median debt of just $4,500. Specialized programs in nursing, immunology, and communications technologies provide regional workforce preparation with exceptionally manageable borrowing levels.
Modestly below average, reflecting the earnings profile relative to educational investment
Also among the highest we track, driven by extraordinarily low debt levels and controlled net prices
Among the highest we track, reflecting exceptional enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
Above average, indicating the institution's ability to support economic advancement despite lower absolute earnings levels
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Exceptional access and affordability
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo demonstrates exceptional performance on access measures, ranking at the 99.4th percentile nationally with access performance among the highest we track. Located in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, this medium-sized public university maintains moderately selective admissions with a 62.3% acceptance rate while serving an exceptionally high proportion of Pell-eligible students at 85.7%.
The institution also enrolls 22.4% first-generation students and 7.8% transfer students, positioning it well above typical access levels for public universities. Graduate earnings reach $30,512 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution at the 8th percentile nationally, while graduates earn $1,629 below expectations relative to similar students.
However, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo combines this earnings profile with exceptionally low debt levels and outstanding affordability metrics, ranking at the 97.8th percentile for affordability performance among the highest we track.
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo delivers specialized professional outcomes with exceptionally manageable debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $30,512 ten years after enrollment, with earnings ranging from $18,436 at the 25th percentile to $45,917 at the 75th percentile.
While graduates earn $1,629 below expectations relative to similar students nationally, this performance accompanies extraordinarily low student debt of just $4,500 at the median, ranking at the 92nd percentile nationally. Compared to peer institutions with median debt of $21,105, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates borrow $16,605 less on average.
Students seeking affordable nursing, science, or technology programs at a public university with exceptional access. Well-suited for Pell-eligible students (85.7%) seeking professional healthcare training or technical skills.
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo delivers exceptionally low debt levels alongside specialized program outcomes in health professions.
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.
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This is the University Of Puerto Rico-Arecibo hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-puerto-rico-arecibo/analysis.
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo admits approximately 62.3% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the institution in the moderately selective category, with admission rates between 50-75%.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights that University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo maintains more selective standards than typical public institutions of similar size and mission. This 22.3 percentage point difference indicates the institution exercises meaningful choice in admissions while remaining accessible to a majority of qualified applicants.
Students with solid academic preparation should expect reasonable admission prospects, though the institution does not operate as an open-access university. The moderately selective profile reflects the institution's specialized program offerings in health professions, biological sciences, and communications technologies that require specific academic foundations.
For students considering University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo, this selectivity level suggests treating the institution as a target school rather than a safety, particularly for competitive programs like nursing and immunology. Building a balanced college list that includes more accessible options alongside this moderately selective choice represents sound application strategy for most students seeking specialized professional preparation.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
102 graduates
Immunology.
102 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
41 graduates
Agricultural Teacher Education.
19 graduates
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, Other.
81 graduates
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo offers 7 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking. Adult Health Nursing ranks #119 nationally and #1 in Puerto Rico, producing 102 graduates with median earnings of $32,725 and a value score of 56.9, representing the institution's flagship program.
Immunology ranks #27 nationally and #1 in Puerto Rico, graduating 102 students with median earnings of $25,466. Audiovisual Communications Technologies ranks #3 nationally and #1 in Puerto Rico, graduating 81 students with median earnings of $22,416 and a strong value score of 50.0.
Applied Behavior Analysis ranks #18 nationally and #2 in Puerto Rico, graduating 70 students with median earnings of $19,627. Business Administration and Management graduates 50 students with median earnings of $20,566, while Accounting Technology graduates 41 students earning $24,870.
All programs maintain #1 rankings within Puerto Rico, reflecting the institution's specialized role in regional workforce development.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo maintains exceptionally affordable costs relative to national standards and peer institutions. The published cost of attendance reaches $18,320 annually, including $5,324 in tuition, $2,168 for books and supplies, with remaining costs covering room, board, and personal expenses.
However, the average student pays just $11,759 after financial aid, representing savings of $6,561 through institutional and federal assistance programs. This net price of $11,759 compares favorably to the peer median of $14,093, providing annual savings of $2,334 for similar educational offerings.
The institution's financial aid effectiveness reflects its mission to serve lower-income students, with 85.7% of undergraduates qualifying for Pell grants. Net prices range from $11,261 for the lowest-income families to $13,208 for middle-income households, indicating progressive aid distribution that maintains affordability across income levels.
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo's cost structure positions the institution among the most affordable public universities nationally while delivering specialized programs in health professions, biological sciences, and communications technologies. This combination of low published prices and effective financial aid creates exceptional value for students seeking professional preparation without substantial debt accumulation.
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $19,546 six years after enrollment to $26,552 at eight years and $30,512 at ten years, representing 56.1% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes reflect a substantial ten-year cohort of 2,531 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures alongside earlier cohorts of 574 graduates at six years and 1,040 at eight years.
Graduates earn $1,629 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the institution around the national average for earnings beyond expectations at the 48.9th percentile. Earnings span from $18,436 at the 25th percentile to $45,917 at the 75th percentile, reflecting program diversity across health professions, biological sciences, business, and communications.
Approximately 37.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study according to program mix estimates, indicating preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry in specialized fields.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Puerto Rico At Cayey Higher acceptance rate (33.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 45 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PR | 96% | $30,958 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla Higher acceptance rate (19.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 26 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PR | 82% | $27,997 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Bayamon Higher acceptance rate (30.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 40 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PR | 92% | $34,409 | Compare |
Talladega College Higher acceptance rate (37 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | AL | 99% | $32,229 | Compare |
Livingstone College Higher acceptance rate (11.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NC | 74% | $32,600 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of West Georgia Similar quality tier (#257 ranked) | GA | 49% | $49,587 | #257 | Compare |
Rhode Island College Similar quality tier (#253 ranked) | RI | 81% | $56,318 | #253 | Compare |
University Of Houston-Victoria Similar quality tier (#258 ranked) | TX | 77% | $54,467 | #258 | Compare |
Winston-Salem State University Similar quality tier (#248 ranked) | NC | 69% | $45,344 | #248 | Compare |
Morgan State University Similar quality tier (#261 ranked) | MD | 83% | $50,698 | #261 | Compare |