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University of Puerto Rico at Cayey vs Atenas University: which has better ROI?

Public, Cayey PR · vs · Private nonprofit, Manati PR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Puerto Rico at Cayey comes closer — median earnings $30,958 against a $40,704 total, vs $20,231 at Atenas University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Puerto Rico at CayeyAtenas University
Net price / yr$10,176$5,818
Total net cost$40,704$11,636
Median earnings, 10 yrs$30,958$20,231
Median debt$5,000$6,525
Payback
20-year net return-$388,744-$574,216

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

Which is cheaper, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey or Atenas University?

Atenas University, at $5,818 a year after aid versus $10,176 — a gap of $4,358 a year, or $29,068 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 at Cayey or Atenas University graduates earn more?

University of Puerto Rico at Cayey graduates report a median $30,958 ten years after entry, $10,727 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, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey or Atenas University?

University of Puerto Rico at Cayey: its completers carry a median $5,000 in federal loans versus $6,525 at Atenas University, a difference of $1,525. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

50% of students finish at University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, against 42% at Atenas University. 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 at Cayey vs Atenas University: frequently asked questions

Is University of Puerto Rico at Cayey or Atenas University a better value?
University of Puerto Rico at Cayey 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 at Cayey or Atenas University?
Atenas University: $5,818/yr net price after aid versus $10,176/yr at University of Puerto Rico at Cayey — a difference of $4,358 a year, or about $29,068 over four years.
Do University of Puerto Rico at Cayey or Atenas University graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico at Cayey graduates earn a median $30,958 ten years after entry, versus $20,231 at Atenas University — a $10,727 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.