Head-to-head comparison
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo vs Albizu University-San Juan: which has better ROI?
Option A Arecibo, PR
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo
- Net price / year
- $10,680
- Earnings, 10 years
- $30,512
- Payback
- No payback
Option B San Juan, PR
Albizu University-San Juan
- Net price / year
- $9,732
- Earnings, 10 years
- $41,544
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Albizu University-San Juan comes closer — median earnings $41,544 against a $38,928 total, vs $30,512 at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo | Albizu University-San Juan |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,680 | $9,732 |
| Total net cost | $42,720 | $38,928 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $30,512 | $41,544 |
| Median debt | $4,500 | $5,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$399,680 | -$175,248 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Albizu University-San Juan?
Albizu University-San Juan, at $9,732 a year after aid versus $10,680 — a gap of $948 a year, or $3,792 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Albizu University-San Juan graduates earn more?
Albizu University-San Juan graduates report a median $41,544 ten years after entry, $11,032 more than the $30,512 at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Albizu University-San Juan?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo: its completers carry a median $4,500 in federal loans versus $5,500 at Albizu University-San Juan, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at Albizu University-San Juan, against 52% at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. 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.