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University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo vs Advantage Technical College: which has better ROI?

Public, Arecibo PR · vs · Private for-profit, Manati PR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo comes closer — median earnings $30,512 against a $42,720 total, vs $26,905 at Advantage Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Puerto Rico-AreciboAdvantage Technical College
Net price / yr$10,680$5,460
Total net cost$42,720$21,840
Median earnings, 10 yrs$30,512$26,905
Median debt$4,500
Payback
20-year net return-$399,680-$450,940

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

Which is cheaper, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Advantage Technical College?

Advantage Technical College, at $5,460 a year after aid versus $10,680 — a gap of $5,220 a year, or $20,880 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Advantage Technical College graduates earn more?

University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates report a median $30,512 ten years after entry, $3,607 more than the $26,905 at Advantage Technical College. 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 graduates more of its students?

60% of students finish at Advantage Technical College, against 52% at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. 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.

University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo vs Advantage Technical College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Advantage Technical College a better value?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo 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, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Advantage Technical College?
Advantage Technical College: $5,460/yr net price after aid versus $10,680/yr at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo — a difference of $5,220 a year, or about $20,880 over four years.
Do University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Advantage Technical College graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn a median $30,512 ten years after entry, versus $26,905 at Advantage Technical College — a $3,607 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.