Atenas University vs Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez comes closer — median earnings $24,908 against a $46,008 total, vs $20,231 at Atenas University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Atenas University | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,818 | $11,502 |
| Total net cost | $11,636 | $46,008 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $20,231 | $24,908 |
| Median debt | $6,525 | $15,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$574,216 | -$515,048 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Atenas University or Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez?
Atenas University, at $5,818 a year after aid versus $11,502 — a gap of $5,684 a year, or $34,372 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 Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez graduates earn more?
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez graduates report a median $24,908 ten years after entry, $4,677 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 Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez?
Atenas University: its completers carry a median $6,525 in federal loans versus $15,500 at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, a difference of $8,975. 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 40% at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. 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.