NUC University vs University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras comes closer — median earnings $35,723 against a $36,700 total, vs $24,785 at NUC University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | NUC University | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,920 | $9,175 |
| Total net cost | $35,680 | $36,700 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $24,785 | $35,723 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $5,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$507,180 | -$289,440 |
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-Rio Piedras?
NUC University, at $8,920 a year after aid versus $9,175 — a gap of $255 a year, or $1,020 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-Rio Piedras graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras graduates report a median $35,723 ten years after entry, $10,938 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-Rio Piedras?
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras: 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 50% at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras. 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.