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

Public, San Juan PR · vs · Private for-profit, Aguadilla PR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras comes closer — median earnings $35,723 against a $36,700 total, vs $26,905 at Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasAdvantage Technical College-Aguadilla
Net price / yr$9,175$4,305
Total net cost$36,700$17,220
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,723$26,905
Median debt$5,500
Payback
20-year net return-$289,440-$446,320

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

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

Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla, at $4,305 a year after aid versus $9,175 — a gap of $4,870 a year, or $19,480 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-Rio Piedras or Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla graduates earn more?

University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras graduates report a median $35,723 ten years after entry, $8,818 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 50% at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras. 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-Rio Piedras vs Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla: frequently asked questions

Is University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras or Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla a better value?
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras 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-Rio Piedras or Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla?
Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla: $4,305/yr net price after aid versus $9,175/yr at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras — a difference of $4,870 a year, or about $19,480 over four years.
Do University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras or Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras graduates earn a median $35,723 ten years after entry, versus $26,905 at Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla — a $8,818 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.