Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

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

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Puerto Rico-Carolina comes closer — median earnings $30,626 against a $51,780 total, vs $26,905 at Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Puerto Rico-CarolinaAdvantage Technical College-Aguadilla
Net price / yr$12,945$4,305
Total net cost$51,780$17,220
Median earnings, 10 yrs$30,626$26,905
Median debt$5,500
Payback
20-year net return-$406,460-$446,320

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

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

Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla, at $4,305 a year after aid versus $12,945 — a gap of $8,640 a year, or $34,560 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-Carolina or Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla graduates earn more?

University of Puerto Rico-Carolina graduates report a median $30,626 ten years after entry, $3,721 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 37% at University of Puerto Rico-Carolina. 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-Carolina vs Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla: frequently asked questions

Is University of Puerto Rico-Carolina or Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla a better value?
University of Puerto Rico-Carolina 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-Carolina or Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla?
Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla: $4,305/yr net price after aid versus $12,945/yr at University of Puerto Rico-Carolina — a difference of $8,640 a year, or about $34,560 over four years.
Do University of Puerto Rico-Carolina or Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico-Carolina graduates earn a median $30,626 ten years after entry, versus $26,905 at Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla — a $3,721 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.