Head-to-head comparison
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez vs Atenas University: which has better ROI?
Option A Mayaguez, PR
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
- Net price / year
- $17,936
- Earnings, 10 years
- $48,992
- Payback
- 113.5 yrs
Option B Manati, PR
Atenas University
- Net price / year
- $5,818
- Earnings, 10 years
- $20,231
- Payback
- No payback
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,744 in 113.5 years versus not at all at Atenas University, on median earnings of $48,992 vs $20,231 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez | Atenas University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,936 | $5,818 |
| Total net cost | $71,744 | $11,636 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,992 | $20,231 |
| Median debt | $8,250 | $6,525 |
| Payback | 113.5 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$59,104 | -$574,216 |
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-Mayaguez or Atenas University?
Atenas University, at $5,818 a year after aid versus $17,936 — a gap of $12,118 a year, or $60,108 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-Mayaguez or Atenas University graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez graduates report a median $48,992 ten years after entry, $28,761 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez or Atenas University?
Atenas University: its completers carry a median $6,525 in federal loans versus $8,250 at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, a difference of $1,725. 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?
49% of students finish at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, 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.