NUC University vs University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez: which has better ROI?
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,744 in 113.5 years versus not at all at NUC University, on median earnings of $48,992 vs $24,785 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | NUC University | University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,920 | $17,936 |
| Total net cost | $35,680 | $71,744 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $24,785 | $48,992 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $8,250 |
| Payback | — | 113.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$507,180 | -$59,104 |
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-Mayaguez?
NUC University, at $8,920 a year after aid versus $17,936 — a gap of $9,016 a year, or $36,064 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-Mayaguez graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez graduates report a median $48,992 ten years after entry, $24,207 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-Mayaguez?
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez: its completers carry a median $8,250 in federal loans versus $9,500 at NUC University, a difference of $1,250. 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 49% at 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.