University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo vs Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo: which has better ROI?
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 $24,539 at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,680 | $9,217 |
| Total net cost | $42,720 | $36,868 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $30,512 | $24,539 |
| Median debt | $4,500 | $9,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$399,680 | -$513,288 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo, at $9,217 a year after aid versus $10,680 — a gap of $1,463 a year, or $5,852 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 Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates report a median $30,512 ten years after entry, $5,973 more than the $24,539 at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. 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, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo: its completers carry a median $4,500 in federal loans versus $9,000 at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo, a difference of $4,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
52% of students finish at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo, against 39% at Inter American 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.