University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce ranks among the most affordable institutions nationally, with net prices $6,638 below peer medians and exceptional access performance in the 99.3rd percentile. The combination of very low debt burdens and strong affordability creates sustainable pathways for low-income students seeking higher education.
With below-average performance, reflecting lower absolute earnings levels compared to national medians
With exceptional performance, driven by very low net prices and minimal debt burdens
With exceptional tier performance, reflecting the university's role in serving low-income and underrepresented students
With above-average performance, indicating solid outcomes for the student population served
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisExceptional affordability and access performance
University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce ranks #217 nationally in Azimuth's institutional analysis, with composite performance well above average at the 86.7th percentile. Located in Ponce, Puerto Rico, this medium-sized public institution demonstrates exceptional performance in access and affordability while maintaining moderately selective admission standards with a 56.1% acceptance rate.
The university enrolls 81.1% Pell-eligible students and 21.4% first-generation students, placing it among the highest nationally for serving low-income populations. With an access index at the 99.3rd percentile and affordability index at the 99.7th percentile, University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce exemplifies institutions that prioritize educational opportunity.
The university's admission rate ranks in the 24th percentile nationally, reflecting more selective standards than typical public institutions while maintaining broad access for underrepresented student populations.
University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce delivers exceptional value through its combination of very low net costs and manageable debt levels. The average net price of $7,455 represents substantial savings compared to the peer median of $14,093, providing families with $6,638 in cost advantages.
Financial aid covers $6,944 on average, reducing the published cost of attendance from $14,399 to highly affordable levels. Net prices range from $7,047 for the lowest-income families to $9,585 for the highest-income bracket, demonstrating progressive affordability across income levels.
Students seeking affordable public higher education in Puerto Rico with strong access and excellent affordability. Particularly well-suited for low-income students given the 81.1% Pell share and very low net costs.
Best for students who prioritize minimizing educational debt while accessing specialized programs in biological sciences, psychology, and health professions.
University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce admits approximately 56.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 11 in 20 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the university in the moderately selective category, with admission rates between 50-75%.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce's more selective approach compared to typical public institutions serving similar demographics, with the university admitting applicants at a rate 28.4 percentage points lower than its peers. This level of selectivity means that while admission is accessible to many qualified students, applicants should demonstrate solid academic preparation and alignment with the university's mission.
The combination of moderate selectivity with exceptional access performance indicates that University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce maintains academic standards while prioritizing opportunity for underrepresented students. Students should approach this as a realistic target school while preparing competitive applications that highlight their academic readiness and fit with the institution's focus areas in sciences, psychology, and health professions.
Prospective students should build balanced college lists that include both more and less selective alternatives within the University of Puerto Rico system and other regional institutions.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce maintains a published cost of attendance of $14,399 per year, including $5,354 in tuition, room and board costs, and $4,168 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $7,455 after financial aid, representing savings of $6,944 annually.
This places University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce's net costs at $6,638 below the peer median of $14,093, demonstrating exceptional affordability within public higher education. The university's financial aid effectiveness reflects its commitment to serving low-income populations, with 81.1% of students receiving Pell grants.
Net costs vary minimally across income brackets, ranging from $7,047 for families earning under $30,000 to $9,585 for families earning over $110,000. This progressive structure ensures affordability across economic backgrounds while maintaining accessibility for the lowest-income families who comprise the majority of the student body.
University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $22,404 six years after enrollment to $26,213 at eight years and $31,394 at ten years, representing 40.1% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 2,014 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures.
Graduates earn around the national average for earnings beyond expectations, with earnings outcomes in the 9th percentile nationally but showing consistent upward trajectory. Earnings span from $19,115 at the 25th percentile to $49,117 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career paths.
The earnings range represents a 2.6:1 ratio between top and bottom quartile outcomes, indicating moderate variation across disciplines. Approximately 25.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study based on program mix analysis, though this estimate carries low confidence.
While absolute earnings levels are below national medians, the consistent growth pattern and manageable debt levels support positive return on investment for graduates.
Artificial Intelligence.
24 graduates
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other.
78 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
40 graduates
Psychology, Other.
57 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
17 graduates
University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce offers 8 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other ranks #5 nationally and #1 in Puerto Rico, producing 78 graduates with median earnings of $25,053 and representing 23.0% of the graduating class.
Psychology, Other ranks #3 nationally and #1 in Puerto Rico, graduating 57 students with median earnings of $21,475. Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science ranks #3 nationally and #2 in Puerto Rico with a strong value score of 60.0, graduating 26 students earning $18,647.
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ranks #50 nationally and #1 in Puerto Rico, graduating 36 students with earnings of $19,254 and a value score of 33.8. Applied Behavior Analysis ranks #19 nationally and #3 in Puerto Rico, representing one of the larger programs with 41 graduates.
The university demonstrates particular strength in health sciences and psychology fields, with multiple programs achieving top state rankings.
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 (39.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 30 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PR | 96% | $30,958 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Bayamon Higher acceptance rate (36.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 40 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PR | 92% | $34,409 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla Higher acceptance rate (25.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 49 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PR | 82% | $27,997 | Compare |
Talladega College Higher acceptance rate (43.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | AL | 99% | $32,229 | Compare |
Livingstone College Higher acceptance rate (17.9 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
William Paterson University Of New Jersey Similar quality tier (#214 ranked) | NJ | 93% | $57,780 | #214 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-puerto-rico-at-ponce/analysis.
University Of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Similar quality tier (#218 ranked) | CT | 86% | $73,997 | #218 | Compare |
Michigan Technological University Similar quality tier (#212 ranked) | MI | 88% | $78,198 | #212 | Compare |
New Jersey City University Similar quality tier (#207 ranked) | NJ | 89% | $52,745 | #207 | Compare |
Suny Maritime College Similar quality tier (#222 ranked) | NY | 79% | $95,951 | #222 | Compare |
