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Antilles School of Technical Careers vs Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, San Juan PR · vs · Private nonprofit, Arecibo PR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo comes closer — median earnings $24,908 against a $44,468 total, vs $21,766 at Antilles School of Technical Careers. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAntilles School of Technical CareersPontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo
Net price / yr$3,912$11,117
Total net cost$15,648$44,468
Median earnings, 10 yrs$21,766$24,908
Median debt$15,500
Payback
20-year net return-$547,528-$513,508

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Antilles School of Technical Careers or Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?

Antilles School of Technical Careers, at $3,912 a year after aid versus $11,117 — a gap of $7,205 a year, or $28,820 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Antilles School of Technical Careers or Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn more?

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates report a median $24,908 ten years after entry, $3,142 more than the $21,766 at Antilles School of Technical Careers. 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 graduates more of its students?

59% of students finish at Antilles School of Technical Careers, 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.

Antilles School of Technical Careers vs Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo: frequently asked questions

Is Antilles School of Technical Careers or Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo a better value?
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Antilles School of Technical Careers or Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
Antilles School of Technical Careers: $3,912/yr net price after aid versus $11,117/yr at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo — a difference of $7,205 a year, or about $28,820 over four years.
Do Antilles School of Technical Careers or Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn more?
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn a median $24,908 ten years after entry, versus $21,766 at Antilles School of Technical Careers — a $3,142 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.