University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras combines exceptional affordability with broad access, ranking in the top 1% nationally for both measures. Students graduate with median debt of just $5,500—among the lowest we track—while the university maintains comprehensive program offerings across 20 major fields of study.
With below-average performance, reflecting lower earnings relative to educational investment
With exceptional-tier performance, reflecting the combination of low debt and reasonable net prices
With exceptional-tier performance, driven by high Pell enrollment and broad educational opportunity
With strong-tier performance, indicating solid economic advancement for graduates despite modest absolute earnings
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisExceptional affordability with minimal student debt
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras ranks #174 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with overall performance at the 89.4th percentile. Located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this medium-sized public university maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 53.2% acceptance rate while demonstrating exceptional affordability and access.
UPR-Rio Piedras enrolls 64.8% Pell-eligible students and 15.6% first-generation students, significantly exceeding typical public universities on access measures. The university operates with a cost of attendance of $13,337 but delivers an average net price of just $6,507, representing $6,830 in financial aid savings.
Graduates earn $463 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 58.0th percentile nationally. Median earnings reach $35,723 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the university's focus on accessible education rather than premium outcomes.
This combination positions UPR-Rio Piedras as an institution prioritizing educational access and affordability for Puerto Rican students.
UPR-Rio Piedras delivers exceptional value through minimal debt and low costs rather than premium earnings. Graduates earn a median of $35,723 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 12.0th percentile nationally, while maintaining the lowest debt levels we track.
Median student debt stands at just $5,500, ranking in the 91.0th percentile for low debt, resulting in a highly favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.15. The debt range from $4,316 at the 25th percentile to $8,800 at the 75th percentile reflects consistent borrowing restraint across students.
Students seeking an affordable, accessible education in Puerto Rico with extremely low debt levels. Well-suited for Pell-eligible students (64.8%) who prioritize minimal borrowing over earnings outcomes, particularly those interested in Biology, Business, or Education fields where the university maintains strong state rankings.
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-Rio Piedras hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-puerto-rico-rio-piedras/analysis.
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras admits approximately 53.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places UPR-Rio Piedras in the moderately selective category, making admission reasonably accessible while maintaining some academic standards.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights that UPR-Rio Piedras is more selective than typical public universities, admitting 31.4 percentage points fewer applicants than similar institutions. This moderate selectivity reflects the university's role as Puerto Rico's flagship comprehensive institution, balancing accessibility with academic quality.
For students applying from Puerto Rico, UPR-Rio Piedras represents a competitive but attainable option, particularly for those with solid academic preparation. Students should treat this as a realistic target school rather than a reach, though competitive applicants should still prepare strong applications.
Building a balanced college list that includes more accessible options within the UPR system alongside UPR-Rio Piedras represents sound application strategy for most Puerto Rican students seeking public higher education.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras maintains exceptional affordability through low published costs and substantial financial aid. The published cost of attendance reaches $13,337 annually, including $5,324 in tuition, $4,168 for books and supplies, with remaining costs for room, board, and personal expenses.
However, the average student pays just $6,507 after financial aid, representing $6,830 in aid savings. This creates one of the most affordable higher education options nationally, with net costs well below typical public university levels.
Compared to peer institutions with median net costs of $14,093, UPR-Rio Piedras students pay $7,586 less annually. The university's affordability index ranks at the 99.4th percentile with exceptional-tier performance, reflecting this dramatic cost advantage.
Net prices vary progressively by family income, from $5,691 for families earning under $30,000 to $12,782 for families earning over $110,000. Even the highest-income families pay less than many institutions charge their lowest-income students.
This affordability structure makes UPR-Rio Piedras accessible across Puerto Rican family income levels while minimizing the need for extensive borrowing or family financial strain.
UPR-Rio Piedras graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth from early to mid-career stages. Median earnings rise from $22,417 six years after enrollment to $27,824 at eight years and $35,723 at ten years, representing substantial 59.4% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 6,159 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures across the university's diverse program portfolio. Graduates earn $463 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UPR-Rio Piedras at the 58.0th percentile for earnings uplift despite the modest absolute earnings levels.
Earnings span from $20,985 at the 25th percentile to $57,886 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. The 2.8:1 ratio between top and bottom quartile earnings indicates meaningful variation across fields.
Approximately 22.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating solid preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry within the Puerto Rican economy.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Puerto Rico-Bayamon Higher acceptance rate (39.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 7 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PR | 92% | $34,409 | Compare |
University Of The Virgin Islands Higher acceptance rate (44.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 71 miles away; similar graduate earnings | VI | 97% | $38,681 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico At Cayey Higher acceptance rate (42.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 21 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PR | 96% | $30,958 | Compare |
Le Moyne-Owen College Higher acceptance rate (44 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | TN | 97% | $35,594 | Compare |
Baker College Higher acceptance rate (34.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MI | 88% | $35,833 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of West Alabama Similar quality tier (#15134 ranked) | AL | 43% | $44,232 | #15134 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Whitewater Similar quality tier (#15137 ranked) | WI | 86% | $55,356 | #15137 | Compare |
University Of Wyoming Similar quality tier (#15126 ranked) | WY | 97% | $56,880 | #15126 | Compare |
Central Michigan University Similar quality tier (#15140 ranked) | MI | 90% | $55,874 | #15140 | Compare |
Kent State University At Kent Similar quality tier (#15119 ranked) | OH | 86% | $45,388 | #15119 | Compare |
Finance and Financial Management Services.
63 graduates
Accounting and Related Services.
122 graduates
Computer Science.
20 graduates
Management Information Systems and Services.
21 graduates
Marketing.
107 graduates
UPR-Rio Piedras offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking. Information Resources Management leads with median earnings of $53,046 and ranks #74 nationally, graduating 32 students.
Analytical Chemistry ranks #97 nationally and #3 in Puerto Rico, producing 53 graduates with median earnings of $40,064 and a strong value score of 38.1. Digital Marketing ranks #148 nationally but #1 in Puerto Rico, graduating 116 students with median earnings of $38,759.
Biology, General represents the university's largest program with 247 graduates earning $34,180, ranking #195 nationally but #1 in Puerto Rico. Several programs achieve top state rankings despite moderate national performance, including Applied Linguistics (#37 nationally, #1 in Puerto Rico) and Advertising (#59 nationally, #1 in Puerto Rico).
This pattern reflects UPR-Rio Piedras' role as Puerto Rico's flagship comprehensive university across multiple disciplines.
