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University of Puerto Rico at Ponce vs Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla: which has better ROI?

Public, Ponce PR · vs · Private for-profit, Aguadilla PR

The verdict

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 $26,905 at Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Puerto Rico at PonceAdvantage Technical College-Aguadilla
Net price / yr$10,990$4,305
Total net cost$43,960$17,220
Median earnings, 10 yrs$31,394$26,905
Median debt$5,500
Payback
20-year net return-$383,280-$446,320

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

Which is cheaper, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce or Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla?

Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla, at $4,305 a year after aid versus $10,990 — a gap of $6,685 a year, or $26,740 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 Ponce or Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla graduates earn more?

University of Puerto Rico at Ponce graduates report a median $31,394 ten years after entry, $4,489 more than the $26,905 at Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla. 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?

91% of students finish at Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla, 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.

University of Puerto Rico at Ponce vs Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla: frequently asked questions

Is University of Puerto Rico at Ponce or Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla a better value?
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce 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 Ponce or Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla?
Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla: $4,305/yr net price after aid versus $10,990/yr at University of Puerto Rico at Ponce — a difference of $6,685 a year, or about $26,740 over four years.
Do University of Puerto Rico at Ponce or Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce graduates earn a median $31,394 ten years after entry, versus $26,905 at Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla — a $4,489 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.