Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce vs University of Puerto Rico at Ponce: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Puerto Rico at Ponce comes closer — median earnings $31,394 against a $43,960 total, vs $24,908 at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce | University of Puerto Rico at Ponce |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,192 | $10,990 |
| Total net cost | $52,768 | $43,960 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $24,908 | $31,394 |
| Median debt | $15,500 | $5,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$521,808 | -$383,280 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce or University of Puerto Rico at Ponce?
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce, at $10,990 a year after aid versus $13,192 — a gap of $2,202 a year, or $8,808 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce or University of Puerto Rico at Ponce graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce graduates report a median $31,394 ten years after entry, $6,486 more than the $24,908 at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce. 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, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce or University of Puerto Rico at Ponce?
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce: its completers carry a median $5,500 in federal loans versus $15,500 at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce, a difference of $10,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
49% of students finish at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce, against 46% at University of Puerto Rico at Ponce. 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.