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.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $17,710 |
| Tuition and Fees | $5,354 |
| Books and Supplies | $4,168 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$7,030 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $10,680 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $10,332 |
| $30–48k | $11,033 |
| $48–75k | $12,065 |
| $75–110k | $12,960 |
| $110k+ | No data |
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.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo produces graduates with extraordinarily low debt levels that rank among the best nationally. Median student debt reaches just $4,500 upon graduation, with debt ranging from $3,500 at the 25th percentile to $5,500 at the 75th percentile, indicating consistently manageable borrowing across the student population.
These debt levels rank at the 92nd percentile nationally, placing University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo in the top-tier performance category for debt management. Compared to peer institutions with median debt of $21,105, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates borrow $16,605 less on average, representing substantial savings in borrowing costs and post-graduation financial obligations.
The resulting debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.15 indicates highly sustainable borrowing levels, well below recommended thresholds for financial stress. These exceptional debt outcomes reflect the institution's low cost structure, effective financial aid programming, and student population that combines work and family support with educational financing.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo delivers a distinctive investment profile that emphasizes accessibility and debt sustainability over high absolute earnings levels. While graduates earn $1,629 below expectations relative to similar students, placing earnings beyond expectations around the national average at the 48.9th percentile, this performance accompanies exceptional debt management and affordability outcomes.
Median earnings of $30,512 compare to peer median earnings of $50,116, indicating lower absolute returns but substantially different cost structures and debt requirements. The institution's debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.15 ranks among the most sustainable nationally, creating favorable conditions for long-term financial stability despite moderate earnings levels.
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo ranks among the top 5% nationally for affordability, reflecting the combination of low costs, effective aid, and minimal debt accumulation. This investment profile particularly benefits students prioritizing professional credentials in healthcare, biological sciences, and communications while minimizing financial risk.
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo demonstrates exceptional commitment to access through comprehensive financial aid programming. With 85.7% of students qualifying for Pell grants compared to national averages around 35%, the institution serves a predominantly lower-income population while maintaining educational quality and specialized program offerings.
The $6,561 average financial aid savings reduces the published cost of attendance by 36%, indicating effective aid packaging that combines federal, state, and institutional resources. Net prices consistently below $14,000 across all income levels reflect both low published costs and strategic aid distribution designed to minimize financial barriers.
The institution's aid profile supports its access mission while enabling degree completion in specialized fields like nursing, immunology, and communications technologies. This financial aid effectiveness contributes directly to the institution's exceptional affordability ranking at the 97.8th percentile nationally, among the highest we track.
