San Juan, Puerto Rico Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for San Juan, Puerto Rico shows: median public in-state tuition $7,400 (+34.2% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $28,666 (-47.2% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 78.3% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $8,875 (-33.9% vs U.S.) 21,919 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 22 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 21,919 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $7,400 (+34.2% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $28,666 (-47.2% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 78.3% (-9.7 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $7,453 (-25.2% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $8,875 (-33.9% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $9,500
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 44.8%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 76.4%
Download the data
Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in San Juan, Puerto Rico—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Puerto Rico and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
San Juan vs Puerto Rico & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan, Puerto Rico | $7,400 | $7,453 | $8,875 | 44.8% | 21,919 |
| Puerto Rico (state median) | $5,314 | $8,830 | $9,500 | 44.4% | 144,549 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: San Juan, Puerto Rico vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan, Puerto Rico | $28,666 | 78.3% | 76.4% | 5.9% | — | 63.8% | 0.36 |
| Puerto Rico (state median) | $26,510 | 78.0% | 76.4% | 9.6% | — | 62.8% | 0.27 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Puerto Rico (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan, Puerto Rico | $7,400 | $7,453 | $8,875 | 44.8% | 21,919 | $28,666 | 78.3% |
| Bayamon | $8,500 | $6,126 | $8,250 | 40.0% | 37,949 | $32,172 | 81.6% |
| Mayaguez | $8,507 | $9,919 | $9,500 | 39.9% | 11,507 | $28,465 | 77.4% |
| Carolina | $8,415 | $6,776 | $9,500 | 40.9% | 7,643 | $27,477 | 80.7% |
| Ponce | $9,095 | $9,200 | $9,500 | 47.4% | 7,636 | $24,908 | 76.9% |
| Caguas | $8,922 | $5,077 | $7,500 | 56.4% | 6,479 | N/A | N/A |
| Arecibo | $7,607 | $9,357 | $9,500 | 52.0% | 5,746 | $24,908 | 76.9% |
| Aguadilla | $7,524 | $5,740 | $5,875 | 46.3% | 5,504 | $26,386 | 78.1% |
| Hato Rey | $8,664 | $12,075 | $5,185 | 40.9% | 4,681 | $33,650 | 76.1% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
Outcomes by sector in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 3 | $30,821 | 78.1% | 76.4% | 8.5% | — | 52.6% |
| Public | 5 | $26,510 | 78.4% | 74.7% | 3.9% | — | 70.3% |
Top 10 colleges in San Juan, Puerto Rico by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
-
Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 67.0%, Albizu University-San Juan
Albizu University-San Juan
-
Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 50.3%, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
-
Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 38.8%, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
-
Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 30.9%, Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Top 10 colleges in San Juan, Puerto Rico by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 84.7%, Albizu University-San Juan
Albizu University-San Juan
-
Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 81.1%, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
-
Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 78.1%, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
-
Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 75.6%, Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Top 10 most selective colleges in San Juan, Puerto Rico (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
-
Rank 1, Admission Rate, 54.6%, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
-
Rank 2, Admission Rate, 69.7%, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
-
Rank 3, Admission Rate, 100.0%, Albizu University-San Juan
Albizu University-San Juan
Top 10 colleges in San Juan, Puerto Rico by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
-
Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $61,729, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
-
Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $38,577, Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
-
Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $30,631, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
-
Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $7,453, Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico
Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico
-
Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $5,005, Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music
Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music
Top 10 colleges in San Juan, Puerto Rico by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
-
Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $57,851, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
-
Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $43,718, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
-
Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $38,826, Colegio Universitario de San Juan
Colegio Universitario de San Juan
-
Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $38,400, Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
-
Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $29,940, Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music
Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music
-
Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $23,558, Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico
Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico
Top 10 colleges in San Juan, Puerto Rico by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $32,168, Albizu University-San Juan
Albizu University-San Juan
-
Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $27,318, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
-
Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $22,417, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
-
Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $21,596, Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Top 10 colleges in San Juan, Puerto Rico by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $40,741, Albizu University-San Juan
Albizu University-San Juan
-
Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $29,041, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
-
Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $27,824, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
-
Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $23,190, Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Top 10 colleges in San Juan, Puerto Rico by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $41,544, Albizu University-San Juan
Albizu University-San Juan
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $35,723, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
-
Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $30,821, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
-
Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $24,490, Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Top 10 colleges in San Juan, Puerto Rico by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $137,385, Albizu University-San Juan
Albizu University-San Juan
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $121,290, Colegio Universitario de San Juan
Colegio Universitario de San Juan
-
Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $110,323, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
-
Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $100,470, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
-
Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $77,714, Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
-
Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $64,498, Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico
Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico
-
Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $63,088, Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music
Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music
Top 10 most affordable colleges in San Juan, Puerto Rico (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
-
Rank 1, Net Price, $-778, Colegio Universitario de San Juan
Colegio Universitario de San Juan
-
Rank 2, Net Price, $5,669, Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico
Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico
-
Rank 3, Net Price, $7,646, Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
-
Rank 4, Net Price, $7,260, Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music
Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music
-
Rank 5, Net Price, $9,732, Albizu University-San Juan
Albizu University-San Juan
-
Rank 6, Net Price, $9,788, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
-
Rank 7, Net Price, $9,175, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
Top 10 colleges in San Juan, Puerto Rico by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 82.4%, Albizu University-San Juan
Albizu University-San Juan
-
Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 77.2%, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
-
Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 76.4%, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
-
Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 68.6%, Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus
In-state tuition: San Juan, Puerto Rico vs benchmarks
Sticker price
San Juan, Puerto Rico median in-state tuition is $7,400, +34.2% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: San Juan, Puerto Rico vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in San Juan, Puerto Rico is $8,875 (-33.9% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $9,500.
Median earnings (10 years out): San Juan, Puerto Rico vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in San Juan, Puerto Rico center around $28,666 (-47.2% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: San Juan, Puerto Rico vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 78.3% at the median San Juan, Puerto Rico campus (-9.7 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
San Juan, Puerto Rico median public in-state tuition is $7,400, about +34.2% vs the national median. Versus the Outlying Areas region, tuition is +38.9%.
Median graduate debt is $8,875 (-33.9% below the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in San Juan, Puerto Rico are $28,666, about -47.2% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
The median campus reports 78.3% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (-9.7 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 76.4% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 5.9% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 63.8% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Albizu University-San Juan (84.7%), University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras (81.1%), Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro (78.1%), Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus (75.6%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within San Juan, Puerto Rico, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $30,821 (3 campuses); Public median 10-yr earnings $26,510 (5 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in San Juan, Puerto Rico is 44.8% (national institution average about 50.3%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in San Juan?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 22 campuses in San Juan, Puerto Rico with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in San Juan?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in San Juan is $7,400 and median net price is $7,453. For Puerto Rico overall, medians are $5,314 and $8,830; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in San Juan?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in San Juan is $28,666 vs $26,510 for Puerto Rico and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for San Juan colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in San Juan is $8,875 vs $9,500 for Puerto Rico and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in San Juan?
EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Albizu University-San Juan (graduation) and Albizu University-San Juan (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in San Juan?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 22 campuses in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 18 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Antilles School of Technical Careers, Albizu University-San Juan, and CEM College-San Juan; 1 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campus (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Interdenominational (1).
Sources & related
- Puerto Rico college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON