Head-to-head comparison
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez vs University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras: 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 San Juan, PR
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
- Net price / year
- $9,175
- Earnings, 10 years
- $35,723
- 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 University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, on median earnings of $48,992 vs $35,723 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,936 | $9,175 |
| Total net cost | $71,744 | $36,700 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,992 | $35,723 |
| Median debt | $8,250 | $5,500 |
| Payback | 113.5 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$59,104 | -$289,440 |
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 University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras?
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, at $9,175 a year after aid versus $17,936 — a gap of $8,761 a year, or $35,044 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 University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez graduates report a median $48,992 ten years after entry, $13,269 more than the $35,723 at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras. 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 University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras?
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras: its completers carry a median $5,500 in federal loans versus $8,250 at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, a difference of $2,750. 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?
50% of students finish at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, against 49% at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. 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.