Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo worth it?
Pay $10,680/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $30,512 ten years out — about 2.9× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: C.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo vs Puerto Rico avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Puerto Rico college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo | Puerto Rico avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $10,680 | $8,636 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $30,512 | $26,446 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $4,500 | $9,412 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 52% | 43.2% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 59.2% | 65.8% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $70,840 over four years. Most students get $7,030/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $4,500 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 15% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo grad earns about -$579,520 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo
The average student at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo pays $10,680 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $17,710 published sticker price. That is above the PR average net price of $8,636.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $30,512 — above the PR median of $26,446. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $4,500, roughly $49 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 15% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Puerto Rico colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $10,680 per year. That's $7,030/yr in financial aid against the $17,710 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $42,720.
How much do University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn a median of $30,512 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 2.9× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $4,500 — about $49/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 3.3% of students take federal loans.
Is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo a value grade of C — top 53% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $10,680/yr, earn $30,512/yr ten years out, ROI score of 7.14. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
89% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 3.3% take federal student loans. On average, students get $7,030 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
In-state tuition is $5,354 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $5,354 per year — a difference of $0/yr or $0 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $10,332. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →