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Atenas University vs Caribbean University-Ponce: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Manati PR · vs · Private nonprofit, Ponce PR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Caribbean University-Ponce comes closer — median earnings $22,842 against a $19,856 total, vs $20,231 at Atenas University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAtenas UniversityCaribbean University-Ponce
Net price / yr$5,818$4,964
Total net cost$11,636$19,856
Median earnings, 10 yrs$20,231$22,842
Median debt$6,525$10,500
Payback
20-year net return-$574,216-$530,216

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

Which is cheaper, Atenas University or Caribbean University-Ponce?

Caribbean University-Ponce, at $4,964 a year after aid versus $5,818 — a gap of $854 a year, or $8,220 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Atenas University or Caribbean University-Ponce graduates earn more?

Caribbean University-Ponce graduates report a median $22,842 ten years after entry, $2,611 more than the $20,231 at Atenas University. 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, Atenas University or Caribbean University-Ponce?

Atenas University: its completers carry a median $6,525 in federal loans versus $10,500 at Caribbean University-Ponce, a difference of $3,975. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

42% of students finish at Atenas University, against 37% at Caribbean University-Ponce. 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.

Atenas University vs Caribbean University-Ponce: frequently asked questions

Is Atenas University or Caribbean University-Ponce a better value?
Caribbean University-Ponce 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, Atenas University or Caribbean University-Ponce?
Caribbean University-Ponce: $4,964/yr net price after aid versus $5,818/yr at Atenas University — a difference of $854 a year, or about $8,220 over four years.
Do Atenas University or Caribbean University-Ponce graduates earn more?
Caribbean University-Ponce graduates earn a median $22,842 ten years after entry, versus $20,231 at Atenas University — a $2,611 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.