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Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo vs Atenas University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Arecibo PR · vs · Private nonprofit, Manati PR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo comes closer — median earnings $24,539 against a $36,868 total, vs $20,231 at Atenas University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureInter American University of Puerto Rico-AreciboAtenas University
Net price / yr$9,217$5,818
Total net cost$36,868$11,636
Median earnings, 10 yrs$24,539$20,231
Median debt$9,000$6,525
Payback
20-year net return-$513,288-$574,216

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

Which is cheaper, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Atenas University?

Atenas University, at $5,818 a year after aid versus $9,217 — a gap of $3,399 a year, or $25,232 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Atenas University graduates earn more?

Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates report a median $24,539 ten years after entry, $4,308 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, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Atenas University?

Atenas University: its completers carry a median $6,525 in federal loans versus $9,000 at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo, a difference of $2,475. 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 39% at Inter American 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.

Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo vs Atenas University: frequently asked questions

Is Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Atenas University a better value?
Inter American 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, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Atenas University?
Atenas University: $5,818/yr net price after aid versus $9,217/yr at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo — a difference of $3,399 a year, or about $25,232 over four years.
Do Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Atenas University graduates earn more?
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn a median $24,539 ten years after entry, versus $20,231 at Atenas University — a $4,308 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.