Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
- Graduation Rate
- 48% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $24,908 F
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $13,192 B-
- 23% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 98% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $11.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $576,198.
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 $11.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce 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
- 3,874
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI · 30
- Primary Strengths
- Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
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 98% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1195–1360. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,192 a year after grants and scholarships — 23% 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
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 0.98 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
At Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce, students find a welcoming environment with a high acceptance rate of 98%. This school appeals to those interested in fields like Biology and Biomedical studies, Health Professions, Business and Marketing, and the Visual and Performing Arts. With nearly 4,000 students, it fosters a community where individuals can pursue their passions while receiving a quality education.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $24,908 within ten years, which is a solid starting point for many. While the graduation rate sits at 48%, it’s important to remember that many students who graduate may experience upward mobility in their careers. The financial landscape here is supportive, especially for those who qualify for financial aid, as 81% of students receive Pell Grants.
Looking at the financial side, the net price after aid is about $13,192, which can be manageable for many families. The median debt load stands at $15,500, a figure that’s reasonable compared to potential earnings. Students who tend to thrive here often have a strong sense of community and a clear vision for their future, eager to make the most of their educational journey in a vibrant setting.
Can I Get In?
How selective Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce 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-Ponce? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce, located in Ponce, PR, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,300. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- SAT Average
- 1300
- SAT Range
- 1195–1360
- Full-Time Faculty
- 69%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $4,545
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.01
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 2,622
- Admitted
- 2,484
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-Ponce? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce is $6,650, 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 $13,192. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,384 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,650
- Out-of-State
- $6,650
- Avg Net Price
- $13,192
- Median Debt
- $15,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 81%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 30%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,384
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,341
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,812
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,122
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce 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% (115)
- 12%
- 100% (115)
- 12%
- 100% (115)
- 12%
- 100% (115)
- 12%
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-Ponce 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-Ponce delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,192/year ($52,768 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 $576,198 (11.9× your investment). The median debt is $15,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 48% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $52,768
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $628,966
- Net Return
- $576,198
- ROI Multiple
- 11.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,192
- Median Debt
- $15,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-9,717,254
Top Programs
The fields Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Biology & Biomedical 23% $16,281 early-career
- Health Professions 19% $12,761 early-career
- Business & Marketing 11% $17,930 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Humanities 7%
- Psychology 6% $19,799 early-career
- Social Sciences 6% $25,556 early-career
- Communications 3% $23,930 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce'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
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce, located in Ponce, PR, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,300. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce is $6,650, 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 $13,192. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,384 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,500 in federal student loans.
Is Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce report median earnings of $24,908, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce. Its economic connectedness score is 0.98, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce.
- Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-MayaguezMayaguez, PR · Close peer41% grad $24,908 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-AreciboArecibo, PR · Close peer47% grad $24,908 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Universidad del Sagrado CorazonSanturce, PR · Strong match48% grad $31,754 earn 58% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
- Alabama State UniversityMontgomery, AL · Strong match30% grad $34,502 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size
- Maharishi International UniversityFairfield, IA · Strong match34% grad $27,981 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar selectivity
- Central State UniversityWilberforce, OH · Strong match24% grad $33,267 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce. Its economic connectedness score is 0.98, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note