University of Puerto Rico-Carolina combines among the highest we track access performance with top-tier affordability outcomes. The university serves 74.2% Pell-eligible students while maintaining median debt at $5,500, significantly below the peer median of $21,105, creating sustainable pathways to degree completion for diverse student populations.
With modestly below average results, reflecting earnings levels relative to educational investment
With top-tier performance, driven by low debt levels and controlled net costs
With among the highest we track performance, reflecting the university's mission to serve diverse student populations including 74.2% Pell-eligible students
With above average performance, indicating moderate success in converting access into earnings growth
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Exceptional access with top-tier affordability
University of Puerto Rico-Carolina ranks #310 nationally, performing at the 81st percentile with strong performance. Located in Carolina, Puerto Rico, this medium-sized public institution maintains moderate selectivity with a 52.7% admission rate while delivering exceptional access to higher education.
The university enrolls 74.2% Pell-eligible students and 18.4% first-generation students, placing it among the highest we track for access measures at the 98.2nd percentile nationally. Graduates earn $30,626 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 8th percentile nationally.
Earnings fall $2,682 below expectations relative to similar students, placing the institution around the national average at the 44th percentile for this measure. With an admission rate significantly higher than the peer median of 84.6%, University of Puerto Rico-Carolina provides broad educational access while maintaining academic standards with SAT scores well above average at the 84th percentile nationally.
University of Puerto Rico-Carolina combines exceptional affordability with manageable educational investment. The university demonstrates top-tier performance in affordability, ranking at the 95.8th percentile nationally.
Students pay an average net price of $14,072 after financial aid, nearly identical to the peer median of $14,093. The published cost of attendance is $21,072, but financial aid saves families an average of $7,000 annually.
Students seeking affordable higher education with manageable debt levels in Puerto Rico. Well-suited for Pell-eligible students (74.2%) seeking specialized programs like Applied Behavior Analysis, Animation Technology, or Business Administration.
University of Puerto Rico-Carolina's exceptional access performance makes it ideal for first-generation and lower-income students prioritizing affordability over high earnings potential.
University of Puerto Rico-Carolina admits approximately 52.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places the university in the Moderately Selective category, making it more accessible than highly selective institutions while maintaining meaningful academic standards.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights that University of Puerto Rico-Carolina is notably more selective than typical institutions serving similar student populations. This selectivity level creates a competitive but achievable admission environment for qualified students.
The university's admission rate has remained relatively stable, reflecting consistent institutional capacity and academic expectations. For prospective students, this means that strong academic preparation improves admission chances significantly, but the majority of qualified applicants can expect realistic prospects for acceptance.
Students should approach University of Puerto Rico-Carolina as a target school rather than a reach, particularly if their academic credentials align with enrolled student profiles. The admission rate suggests that while the university maintains standards, it prioritizes access and opportunity for students who demonstrate readiness for college-level work rather than creating artificial scarcity through extremely low acceptance rates.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Puerto Rico-Carolina's published cost of attendance is $21,072 per year, consisting of $7,986 in tuition, room and board costs, and $2,793 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $14,072 after financial aid, representing savings of $7,000 annually.
This net price places the institution nearly identical to the peer median of $14,093, indicating competitive pricing within its comparison group. The university demonstrates top-tier performance in affordability, ranking at the 95.8th percentile nationally due to exceptionally low debt levels and controlled costs.
Net price remains stable across most income levels, ranging from $13,801 for the lowest-income families to approximately $15,000 for higher-income students, showing modest variation in pricing by family financial capacity. Financial aid effectively reduces costs by one-third compared to sticker price, making higher education accessible for the 74.2% of students who are Pell-eligible.
The combination of reasonable published costs and substantial financial aid creates an environment where educational access is prioritized alongside fiscal responsibility, supporting the university's mission to serve diverse student populations without creating excessive financial burden.
University of Puerto Rico-Carolina graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth throughout their early careers. Median earnings rise from $22,317 six years after enrollment to $27,204 at eight years and $30,626 at ten years, representing 37.2% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 2,275 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures across the institution's program portfolio. Graduates earn $2,682 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the university around the national average at the 44th percentile for earnings uplift.
The earnings distribution spans from $18,884 at the 25th percentile to $45,745 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 23% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study according to program mix estimates, indicating balanced preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry.
Compared to peer institutions with a median of $50,116 in ten-year earnings, University of Puerto Rico-Carolina graduates earn $19,490 less annually, reflecting the regional economic context and program focus.
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
6 graduates
Exercise Science and Kinesiology.
21 graduates
Executive/Career Coaching.
16 graduates
Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed.
5 graduates
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching.
12 graduates
University of Puerto Rico-Carolina offers 8 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Applied Behavior Analysis ranks #14 nationally and #1 in Puerto Rico, producing 113 graduates with median earnings of $26,652 and a strong value score of 27.8.
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects ranks #12 nationally and #2 in Puerto Rico, graduating 51 students with median earnings of $25,077 and a value score of 26.7. Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Puerto Rico, with 25 graduates earning $24,178 and achieving an exceptional value score of 80.0.
Corrections Administration represents the university's largest program with 120 graduates earning $20,435, ranking #192 nationally and #3 in Puerto Rico. Business Administration and Management graduates 39 students annually with the highest median earnings of $31,890.
Brewery Operations Management, Banking and Financial Support Services, and Advertising complete the program portfolio, reflecting the university's focus on specialized career-oriented education with practical applications.
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 (43.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 22 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PR | 96% | $30,958 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla Higher acceptance rate (29 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 76 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PR | 82% | $27,997 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Bayamon Higher acceptance rate (39.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 10 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PR | 92% | $34,409 | Compare |
Talladega College Higher acceptance rate (46.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | AL | 99% | $32,229 | Compare |
Livingstone College Higher acceptance rate (21.4 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Midwestern State University Similar quality tier (#308 ranked) | TX | 87% | $55,747 | #308 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the University Of Puerto Rico-Carolina hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-puerto-rico-carolina/analysis.
University Of South Carolina-Upstate Similar quality tier (#307 ranked) | SC | 70% | $48,587 | #307 | Compare |
Jacksonville State University Similar quality tier (#312 ranked) | AL | 76% | $45,235 | #312 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Similar quality tier (#315 ranked) | MA | 92% | $68,804 | #315 | Compare |
Virginia Military Institute Similar quality tier (#316 ranked) | VA | 82% | $77,369 | #316 | Compare |