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Head-to-head comparison

University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo vs Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo: which has better ROI?

Public, Arecibo PR · vs · Private nonprofit, Arecibo PR

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Arecibo, PR

University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo

Net price / year
$10,680
Earnings, 10 years
$30,512
Payback
No payback

Option B Arecibo, PR

Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo

Net price / year
$9,217
Earnings, 10 years
$24,539
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo comes closer — median earnings $30,512 against a $42,720 total, vs $24,539 at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Puerto Rico-AreciboInter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo
Net price / yr$10,680$9,217
Total net cost$42,720$36,868
Median earnings, 10 yrs$30,512$24,539
Median debt$4,500$9,000
Payback——
20-year net return-$399,680-$513,288

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 Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?

Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo, at $9,217 a year after aid versus $10,680 — a gap of $1,463 a year, or $5,852 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 Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn more?

University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates report a median $30,512 ten years after entry, $5,973 more than the $24,539 at Inter American 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 Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?

University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo: its completers carry a median $4,500 in federal loans versus $9,000 at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo, a difference of $4,500. 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?

52% of students finish at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo, against 39% at Inter American 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.

University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo vs Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo: frequently asked questions

Is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo a better value?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo 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-Arecibo or Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo: $9,217/yr net price after aid versus $10,680/yr at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo — a difference of $1,463 a year, or about $5,852 over four years.
Do University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo or Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn a median $30,512 ten years after entry, versus $24,539 at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo — a $5,973 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.