University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez vs University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras: which has better ROI?
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,744 in 113.5 years versus not at all at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, on median earnings of $48,992 vs $35,723 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,936 | $9,175 |
| Total net cost | $71,744 | $36,700 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,992 | $35,723 |
| Median debt | $8,250 | $5,500 |
| Payback | 113.5 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$59,104 | -$289,440 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez or University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras?
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, at $9,175 a year after aid versus $17,936 — a gap of $8,761 a year, or $35,044 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-Mayaguez or University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez graduates report a median $48,992 ten years after entry, $13,269 more than the $35,723 at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras. 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-Mayaguez or University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras?
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras: its completers carry a median $5,500 in federal loans versus $8,250 at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, a difference of $2,750. 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-Rio Piedras, against 49% at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. 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.