University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo
#2 Colleges With the Lowest Student Debt- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $30,512 D
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $10,680 B
- 38% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 59% B
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 28.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $28.2 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Colleges With the Lowest Student Debt.
Every $1 spent returns $28.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,161,311.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduate earnings fall 25% below the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $28.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Matters
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is a public college in Arecibo, PR and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 2,669
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing, Psychology
Why students choose 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
Competitive — admits about 59% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $10,680 a year after grants and scholarships — 38% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $30,512 ten years after enrolling — 25% below the typical college, against $4,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.27 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 2,669 students, the University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is a solid option for those looking to pursue studies in practical fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, and Education. The acceptance rate of 59% suggests a welcoming environment for prospective students. If you’re someone who values community and a focus on applicable skills, this school might be a good fit.
Looking ahead, graduates of UPR-Arecibo can expect to earn an average of $30,512 within ten years of finishing their degrees. This figure gives a glimpse into the financial landscape for alumni, particularly when considering the affordability of education here. With a net price of $10,680 after aid and a median debt of just $4,500, the financial burden is relatively light for many students. The high rate of Pell Grant recipients, at 89%, indicates that a significant portion of the student body receives federal support, making it more accessible for low-income families.
In practical terms, UPR-Arecibo is designed for students who appreciate a supportive academic environment without overwhelming financial pressure. The low debt load means graduates can start their careers without the heavy financial strain that often accompanies student loans. This school tends to attract those who seek a balanced approach to education and life, making it a place where many can thrive.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective 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 University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Arecibo, PR, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 59% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 59%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 78%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,301
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.00
- First-Gen Students
- 22%
- Applicants
- 1,474
- Admitted
- 885
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 University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is $5,354, 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 $10,680. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,332 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $4,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,354
- Out-of-State
- $5,354
- Avg Net Price
- $10,680
- Median Debt
- $4,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 89%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 3%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,332
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,033
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,065
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 University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo — 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 University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo report median earnings of $30,512, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $19,546
- 8 Years
- $26,552
- 10 Years
- $30,512
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.15x
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (64)
- 9%
- 100% (64)
- 9%
- 100% (64)
- 9%
- 100% (64)
- 9%
How University 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 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, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,680/year ($42,720 total). Graduates earn $30,512 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,204,031 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,161,311 (28.2× your investment). The median debt is $4,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $42,720
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,204,031
- Net Return
- $1,161,311
- ROI Multiple
- 28.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $10,680
- Median Debt
- $4,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo 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.
- Health Professions 23% $13,348 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 20% $17,380 early-career
- Business & Marketing 14% $17,746 early-career
- Psychology 9% $16,281 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $37,793 early-career
- Education 2% $14,081 early-career
- Social Sciences 0%
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 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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Arecibo, PR, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 59% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is $5,354, 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 $10,680. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,332 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $4,500 in federal student loans.
Is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo report median earnings of $30,512, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. Its economic connectedness score is 1.27, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), 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 University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo.
- University of Puerto Rico-HumacaoHumacao, PR · Close peer50% grad $29,521 earn 55% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Puerto Rico at PoncePonce, PR · Close peer48% grad $31,394 earn 52% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Puerto Rico at CayeyCayey, PR · Close peer49% grad $30,958 earn 53% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico-MetroSan Juan, PR · Close peer35% grad $30,821 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- University of Puerto Rico-CarolinaCarolina, PR · Close peer39% grad $30,626 earn 55% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Fort Valley State UniversityFort Valley, GA · Close peer43% grad $36,666 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. Its economic connectedness score is 1.27, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), 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