Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo #340 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo sits in the 52.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earn about $1,181 less than similar students at comparable institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo #456 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Students at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo earn more than similar students at comparable institutions, a meaningful result for a broad-access public institution anchored in Puerto Rico's health and applied-sciences workforce. The institution's mobility ranking reflects how consistently it converts access into upward economic progress for the students it serves.
Azimuth ranks University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo #335 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 77.4 percentile. The current structured profile shows retention at 76.1% and a six-year graduation rate of 52.0%. Return on investment ranks #1459, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $30,977. Graduates earn about $1,181 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 52.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 98.2 percentile; published cost of attendance is $17,710, and the middle-income net price is $12,065. Access sits in the 99.3 percentile, with 89.0% receiving Pell Grants and 22.4% first-generation.
Published cost of attendance is $17,710. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $10,332, middle-income families pay around $12,065. Azimuth ranks University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo #27 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 98.2 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $4,500. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $30,977, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $51 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is a strong fit for students in Puerto Rico who want a health-focused public university with a clear path to stable, in-demand careers — particularly those drawn to nursing, allied health, and related fields that make up the core of the institution's program mix. The earnings case is grounded in that program concentration. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $30,977, placing University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo in the 0.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo sits in the 52.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions — graduates earn about $1,181 less than similar students at comparable institutions relative to similar students at comparable institutions. The access profile is broad. 89.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 22.4% are first-generation college students, making University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo a realistic and financially accessible option for low-income and first-generation families in PR — median student debt at graduation is $4,500, a comparatively modest borrowing level given the health-field earnings trajectory. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program portfolio is concentrated in Health and adjacent fields, so students whose interests lie elsewhere will find a narrower set of options, and the institution serves a regional labor market where post-graduation earnings reflect local wage structures rather than national metro benchmarks.
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-Arecibo hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Published cost of attendance is $17,710. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $10,332, middle-income families pay around $12,065.
Azimuth ranks University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo #27 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 98.2 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $4,500.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $30,977, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $51 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Graduates of University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo earn median 4-year earnings of $30,977, placing University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo in the 0.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,181 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 52.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo #1459 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing reports 123 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $38,478, ranked #303 nationally in its major. Microbiological Sciences and Immunology reports 108 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $37,027, ranked #39 nationally in its major.
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians reports 69 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $22,550. Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians reports 52 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $36,328, ranked #27 nationally in its major.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing
123 graduates
Immunology
108 graduates
Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician
52 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping
30 graduates
Digital Marketing
16 graduates
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo's program mix is anchored in health and applied sciences, with health fields representing 17% of graduates. Education and Social Sciences round out the degree portfolio at 5% and 57%, respectively.
The largest programs by graduate volume are Nursing, Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, and Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, which together account for the majority of annual completers across 11 programs serving roughly 520 students. The strongest earnings outcomes at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo are concentrated in health and allied-health fields.
Nursing leads the institution with median 4-year earnings of $38,478, and Azimuth ranks the program #233 for median earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions. Microbiological Sciences and Immunology follows with median 4-year earnings of $37,027, ranked #37 by Azimuth among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Nursing represents the institution's highest aggregate return program, combining cohort scale with competitive early-career pay. The popular programs Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians and Business Administration serve students entering fields where four-year earnings reflect local labor-market conditions in Puerto Rico.
For context on how these program families align with broader labor-market demand, see the [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) framework. The [how Azimuth evaluates programs](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/) methodology page explains how rankings account for cohort size alongside earnings outcomes.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Illinois University Similar quality tier (#15661 ranked) | IL | 71% | $54,163 | #15661 | Compare |
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology Similar quality tier (#15650 ranked) | PA | 71% | $54,681 | #15650 | Compare |
Louisiana State University-Alexandria Similar quality tier (#15648 ranked) | LA | 92% | $42,205 | #15648 | Compare |
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania Similar quality tier (#15709 ranked) | PA | 71% | $53,032 | #15709 | Compare |
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore Similar quality tier (#15721 ranked) | MD | 96% | $47,697 | #15721 | Compare |
