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Head-to-head comparison

University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras vs Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: which has better ROI?

Public, San Juan PR · vs · Private nonprofit, San Juan PR

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

Option A San Juan, PR

University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras

Net price / year
$9,175
Earnings, 10 years
$35,723
Payback
No payback

Option B San Juan, PR

Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro

Net price / year
$9,788
Earnings, 10 years
$30,821
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras comes closer — median earnings $35,723 against a $36,700 total, vs $30,821 at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasInter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
Net price / yr$9,175$9,788
Total net cost$36,700$39,152
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,723$30,821
Median debt$5,500$10,975
Payback——
20-year net return-$289,440-$389,932

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-Rio Piedras or Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro?

University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, at $9,175 a year after aid versus $9,788 — a gap of $613 a year, or $2,452 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-Rio Piedras or Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro graduates earn more?

University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras graduates report a median $35,723 ten years after entry, $4,902 more than the $30,821 at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro. 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-Rio Piedras or Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro?

University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras: its completers carry a median $5,500 in federal loans versus $10,975 at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro, a difference of $5,475. 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 39% at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro. 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-Rio Piedras vs Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: frequently asked questions

Is University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras or Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro a better value?
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras 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-Rio Piedras or Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro?
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras: $9,175/yr net price after aid versus $9,788/yr at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro — a difference of $613 a year, or about $2,452 over four years.
Do University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras or Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro graduates earn more?
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras graduates earn a median $35,723 ten years after entry, versus $30,821 at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro — a $4,902 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.