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University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras vs Atenas University: which has better ROI?

Public, San Juan PR · vs · Private nonprofit, Manati 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 $20,231 at Atenas University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasAtenas University
Net price / yr$9,175$5,818
Total net cost$36,700$11,636
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,723$20,231
Median debt$5,500$6,525
Payback
20-year net return-$289,440-$574,216

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 Atenas University?

Atenas University, at $5,818 a year after aid versus $9,175 — a gap of $3,357 a year, or $25,064 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 Atenas University graduates earn more?

University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras graduates report a median $35,723 ten years after entry, $15,492 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-Rio Piedras or Atenas University?

University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras: its completers carry a median $5,500 in federal loans versus $6,525 at Atenas University, a difference of $1,025. 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 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-Rio Piedras vs Atenas University: frequently asked questions

Is University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras or Atenas University 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 Atenas University?
Atenas University: $5,818/yr net price after aid versus $9,175/yr at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras — a difference of $3,357 a year, or about $25,064 over four years.
Do University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras or Atenas University graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras graduates earn a median $35,723 ten years after entry, versus $20,231 at Atenas University — a $15,492 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.