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Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico vs Atenas University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Hato Rey PR · vs · Private nonprofit, Manati PR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico comes closer — median earnings $47,540 against a $70,160 total, vs $20,231 at Atenas University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversidad Politecnica de Puerto RicoAtenas University
Net price / yr$17,540$5,818
Total net cost$70,160$11,636
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,540$20,231
Median debt$22,564$6,525
Payback
20-year net return-$86,560-$574,216

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

Which is cheaper, Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico or Atenas University?

Atenas University, at $5,818 a year after aid versus $17,540 — a gap of $11,722 a year, or $58,524 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico or Atenas University graduates earn more?

Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico graduates report a median $47,540 ten years after entry, $27,309 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, Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico or Atenas University?

Atenas University: its completers carry a median $6,525 in federal loans versus $22,564 at Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico, a difference of $16,039. 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 28% at Universidad Politecnica de 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.

Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico vs Atenas University: frequently asked questions

Is Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico or Atenas University a better value?
Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico 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, Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico or Atenas University?
Atenas University: $5,818/yr net price after aid versus $17,540/yr at Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico — a difference of $11,722 a year, or about $58,524 over four years.
Do Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico or Atenas University graduates earn more?
Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico graduates earn a median $47,540 ten years after entry, versus $20,231 at Atenas University — a $27,309 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.