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University of Puerto Rico at Ponce

Public Ponce, PR · Urban · Outlying Areas · 93% data
B+ Selectivity B Affordability C+ Value
Graduation Rate
48% C-
About half of students who start complete their degree
Earnings (10yr)
$31,394 D
Below average for college graduates
Net Price
$10,990 B
36% less than the typical college
Acceptance Rate
52% B+
Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Earnings -23% vs avg
Graduation -15% vs avg
Net Price +-36% vs avg

Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 23.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.0 over 20 years.

23.0× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $23.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $966,491.

What The Data Says

  1. A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Graduate earnings fall 23% below the national college median.

  3. Every $1 invested returns $23.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About University of Puerto Rico at Ponce

University of Puerto Rico at 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
Public College
Carnegie Class
Baccalaureate College
Enrollment
2,278
Setting
Urban
Designations
HSI
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Health Professions

Why students choose University of Puerto Rico at Ponce

Strong STEM core
A heavy concentration in technical fields
Close mentorship
A small, undergraduate-focused community
Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C
Top 54% overall
D
Earnings
$31,394 median
C+
Value
2.9× net price
B
Affordability
$10,990/yr net
C-
Graduation
48% graduate
B+
Selectivity
52% admit rate
F
Diversity
0.00 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

The University of Puerto Rico at Ponce is an excellent choice for students who are drawn to a close-knit community and are looking for solid programs in fields like Business and Marketing, Biology, Psychology, Health Professions, and Computer Science. With an enrollment of 2,278 students and an acceptance rate of 52%, it strikes a balance between being selective and accessible. This environment is well-suited for those who thrive in smaller classes and appreciate a more personal academic experience.

After graduation, students can expect to earn around $31,394 within ten years. While the graduation rate sits at 48%, many students find pathways to success in their careers. This is especially true for those who benefit from financial aid, as 83% of students receive Pell Grants, helping to ease the burden of tuition. The affordability factor is significant when considering long-term outcomes, as many graduates are able to move into stable jobs and contribute positively to their communities.

When it comes to finances, the net price after aid is approximately $10,990, and students typically graduate with a median debt of just $5,500. This manageable debt level means that graduates can start their careers with less financial stress. Those who tend to thrive here are often motivated individuals who take advantage of the support and resources available, as well as the rich cultural backdrop that Ponce offers.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective University of Puerto Rico at Ponce is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into University of Puerto Rico at Ponce? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Ponce, PR, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 52% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.

Acceptance Rate
52%
Retention Rate
73%
Full-Time Faculty
53%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$5,915
Student–Faculty Ratio
22:1
Diversity Index
0.00
First-Gen Students
21%
Applicants
1,434
Admitted
775

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 at Ponce? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at University of Puerto Rico at Ponce 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 $10,990. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,114 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $5,500 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$5,354
Out-of-State
$5,354
Avg Net Price
$10,990
Median Debt
$5,500
Pell Grant Rate
83%
Federal Loan Rate
8%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$10,114
Family Income $30K–$48K
$10,534
Family Income $48K–$75K
$13,017
Family Income $110K+
$12,404

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 at Ponce — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is University of Puerto Rico at Ponce Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of University of Puerto Rico at Ponce report median earnings of $31,394, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

6 Years After Entry
$22,404
8 Years
$26,213
10 Years
$31,394
Debt-to-Earnings
0.18x

Earnings Trajectory

$22,404 6yr $26,213 8yr $31,394 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (58)
10%
100% (58)
10%
100% (58)
10%
100% (58)
10%

How University Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation48%Earnings 10yr$31KNet Price$11KRetention73%Median Debt$6KPell Grant Rate83%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$10K$0-30K$11K$30-48K$13K$48-75K$12K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is University of Puerto Rico at Ponce 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 at Ponce delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,990/year ($43,960 total). Graduates earn $31,394 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,010,451 in total earnings — a net gain of $966,491 (23.0× your investment). The median debt is $5,500, 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)
$43,960
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,010,451
Net Return
$966,491
ROI Multiple
23.0×
Cost Per Year
$10,990
Median Debt
$5,500
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
48%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Top Programs

The fields University of Puerto Rico at 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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into University of Puerto Rico at Ponce? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Ponce, PR, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 52% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Puerto Rico at Ponce? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at University of Puerto Rico at Ponce 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 $10,990. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,114 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $5,500 in federal student loans.

Is University of Puerto Rico at Ponce Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of University of Puerto Rico at Ponce report median earnings of $31,394, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

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Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Puerto Rico at Ponce.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

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