The cost of college in Puerto Rico — and what it pays back
Across the 71 Puerto Rico institutions we profile, the median net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $7,765/yr, $9,141 below the $16,906 national median. Graduates earn a median $24,632 ten years after entry (below the $43,552 national median), and 1 of the 71 schools clear their full cost on institution-wide earnings. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
$7,765
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$24,632
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
113.5 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
1/71
Schools that pay back
Our math, 2026
How Puerto Rico's 71 colleges split by ROI verdict
Strong0
Solid0
Slow0
Weak71
Verdicts: payback under 5 / 10 / 20 / over 20 years (or none).
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez | $17,936 | $48,992 | 113.5 yrs |
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colegio Universitario de San Juan | -$778 | $26,510 | no payback |
| Colegio de Cinematografia Artes y Television | $1,460 | $25,707 | no payback |
| Emma's Beauty Academy-Juana Diaz | $1,993 | $17,034 | no payback |
| Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Manati | $2,846 | $26,293 | no payback |
| Dewey University-Hato Rey | $3,577 | $19,761 | no payback |
Frequently asked questions
How much does college cost in Puerto Rico?
The median net price across Puerto Rico colleges is $7,765/yr after aid — below the $16,906 national median. Sticker prices run far higher; net price is what the typical aided student actually pays.
Is college in Puerto Rico cheaper than the national average?
Yes, on median net price: $7,765/yr vs $16,906 nationally — about $9,141/yr less.
What do Puerto Rico college graduates earn?
A median $24,632 ten years after entry (College Scorecard), below the $43,552 national median.
Which Puerto Rico college pays for itself fastest?
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez — about 113.5 years to clear its $71,744 total net cost on earnings above the high-school baseline. The full ranking is on our best-colleges-in-puerto-rico page.