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Atenas University vs University of Puerto Rico-Utuado: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Manati PR · vs · Public, Utuado PR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Puerto Rico-Utuado comes closer — median earnings $23,906 against a $27,296 total, vs $20,231 at Atenas University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAtenas UniversityUniversity of Puerto Rico-Utuado
Net price / yr$5,818$13,648
Total net cost$11,636$27,296
Median earnings, 10 yrs$20,231$23,906
Median debt$6,525$3,500
Payback
20-year net return-$574,216-$516,376

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

Which is cheaper, Atenas University or University of Puerto Rico-Utuado?

Atenas University, at $5,818 a year after aid versus $13,648 — a gap of $7,830 a year, or $15,660 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 University of Puerto Rico-Utuado graduates earn more?

University of Puerto Rico-Utuado graduates report a median $23,906 ten years after entry, $3,675 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 University of Puerto Rico-Utuado?

University of Puerto Rico-Utuado: its completers carry a median $3,500 in federal loans versus $6,525 at Atenas University, a difference of $3,025. 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 23% at University of Puerto Rico-Utuado. 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 University of Puerto Rico-Utuado: frequently asked questions

Is Atenas University or University of Puerto Rico-Utuado a better value?
University of Puerto Rico-Utuado 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 University of Puerto Rico-Utuado?
Atenas University: $5,818/yr net price after aid versus $13,648/yr at University of Puerto Rico-Utuado — a difference of $7,830 a year, or about $15,660 over four years.
Do Atenas University or University of Puerto Rico-Utuado graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico-Utuado graduates earn a median $23,906 ten years after entry, versus $20,231 at Atenas University — a $3,675 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.