Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo
- Graduation Rate
- 47% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $24,908 F
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $11,117 B
- 35% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 94% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 14.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.1 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $14.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $584,498.
What The Data Says
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A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduate earnings fall 39% below the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 273
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI · 30
- Primary Strengths
- Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology
Why students choose Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 94% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,117 a year after grants and scholarships — 35% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $24,908 ten years after enrolling — 39% below the typical college, against $15,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just 273 students, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo offers a tight-knit community ideal for those who thrive in smaller settings. The school is particularly appealing for students interested in fields like Biology and Biomedical studies, Health Professions, Business and Marketing, Psychology, and Social Sciences. The high acceptance rate of 94% suggests that the university is open to a wide range of applicants, making it an accessible choice for many.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $24,908 after ten years. While this figure may not seem high at first glance, it reflects the reality for many graduates in the region. The affordability of attending this institution is significant, with a net price of $11,117 after financial aid. A substantial percentage of students, 69%, receive Pell Grants, which can help alleviate financial burdens and support those from lower-income backgrounds.
When it comes to financial realities, the median debt sits at $15,500, which is manageable for many graduates. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who value personal attention and community, as well as those pursuing degrees in health and social services. With a graduation rate of 47%, it’s clear that while challenges exist, there is also a dedicated group of students committed to completing their education and entering the workforce.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Arecibo, PR, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. The graduation rate is roughly 47%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Retention Rate
- 87%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 50%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $4,327
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.00
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 168
- Admitted
- 165
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is $6,550, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,117. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,939 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,550
- Out-of-State
- $6,550
- Avg Net Price
- $11,117
- Median Debt
- $15,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 69%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 28%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,939
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,883
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,333
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo report median earnings of $24,908, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $20,637
- 8 Years
- $23,976
- 10 Years
- $24,908
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.62x
- Earning > $25K
- 18%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (10)
- 14%
- 100% (10)
- 14%
- 100% (10)
- 14%
- 100% (10)
- 14%
How Pontifical Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,117/year ($44,468 total). Graduates earn $24,908 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $628,966 in total earnings — a net gain of $584,498 (14.1× your investment). The median debt is $15,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 47% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $44,468
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $628,966
- Net Return
- $584,498
- ROI Multiple
- 14.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,117
- Median Debt
- $15,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Biology & Biomedical 49%
- Health Professions 16%
- Business & Marketing 7%
- Psychology 7%
- Social Sciences 7%
- Humanities 7%
- Education 5%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Arecibo, PR, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. The graduation rate is roughly 47%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is $6,550, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,117. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,939 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,500 in federal student loans.
Is Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo report median earnings of $24,908, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo.
- Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-MayaguezMayaguez, PR · Close peer41% grad $24,908 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts DevelopmentSanta Fe, NM · Close peer20% grad $24,505 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Universidad Adventista de las AntillasMayaguez, PR · Close peer41% grad $28,465 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-PoncePonce, PR · Close peer48% grad $24,908 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico-BarranquitasBarranquitas, PR · Close peer38% grad $23,204 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Naropa UniversityBoulder, CO · Strong match42% grad $28,720 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
