NUC University vs University of Puerto Rico: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Puerto Rico comes closer — median earnings $34,409 against a $33,936 total, vs $24,785 at NUC University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | NUC University | University of Puerto Rico |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,920 | $8,484 |
| Total net cost | $35,680 | $33,936 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $24,785 | $34,409 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $5,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$507,180 | -$312,956 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, NUC University or University of Puerto Rico?
University of Puerto Rico, at $8,484 a year after aid versus $8,920 — a gap of $436 a year, or $1,744 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do NUC University or University of Puerto Rico graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico graduates report a median $34,409 ten years after entry, $9,624 more than the $24,785 at NUC 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, NUC University or University of Puerto Rico?
University of Puerto Rico: its completers carry a median $5,500 in federal loans versus $9,500 at NUC University, a difference of $4,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
54% of students finish at NUC University, against 37% at University of Puerto Rico. 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.