Albizu University-San Juan vs Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Albizu University-San Juan comes closer — median earnings $41,544 against a $38,928 total, vs $24,908 at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Albizu University-San Juan | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,732 | $11,117 |
| Total net cost | $38,928 | $44,468 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,544 | $24,908 |
| Median debt | $5,500 | $15,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$175,248 | -$513,508 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Albizu University-San Juan or Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
Albizu University-San Juan, at $9,732 a year after aid versus $11,117 — a gap of $1,385 a year, or $5,540 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Albizu University-San Juan or Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn more?
Albizu University-San Juan graduates report a median $41,544 ten years after entry, $16,636 more than the $24,908 at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Albizu University-San Juan or Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
Albizu University-San Juan: its completers carry a median $5,500 in federal loans versus $15,500 at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo, a difference of $10,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at Albizu University-San Juan, against 54% at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.