Ponce, Puerto Rico Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Ponce, Puerto Rico: median public in-state tuition $8,970 (+62.7% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $24,908 (-54.2% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 76.9% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $9,500 (-28.4% vs U.S.) 7,505 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 10 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 7,505 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $8,970 (+62.7% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $24,908 (-54.2% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 76.9% (-11.1 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $9,146 (-8.3% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $9,500 (-28.4% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $9,500
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 46.2%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 76.0%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in Ponce serve students across Puerto Rico with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 10 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 7,505 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $8,970. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Ponce, Puerto Rico and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Ponce 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ponce, Puerto Rico | $8,970 | $9,146 | $9,500 | 46.2% | 7,505 |
| Puerto Rico (state median) | $5,314 | $8,830 | $9,500 | 44.0% | 141,809 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Ponce, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ponce, Puerto Rico | $24,908 | 76.9% | 76.0% | 20.7% | — | 45.3% | 0.46 |
| Puerto Rico (state median) | $26,472 | 77.9% | 76.4% | 9.8% | — | 62.8% | 0.27 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ponce, Puerto Rico | $8,970 | $9,146 | $9,500 | 46.2% | 7,505 | $24,908 | 76.9% |
| Bayamon | $8,500 | $6,126 | $8,875 | 40.0% | 37,949 | $32,172 | 81.6% |
| San Juan | $7,400 | $7,453 | $8,875 | 44.8% | 21,919 | $30,821 | 78.1% |
| 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% |
| 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% |
| Caguas | $9,095 | $5,012 | $9,500 | 57.4% | 4,068 | N/A | N/A |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Top 2 colleges in Ponce, 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.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 48.6%, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 46.2%, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
Top 2 colleges in Ponce, 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.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 80.2%, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 76.9%, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Top 2 most selective colleges in Ponce, 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.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 52.4%, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 98.1%, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Top 3 colleges in Ponce, 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.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $26,619, Caribbean University-Ponce
Caribbean University-Ponce
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $26,047, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $12,349, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
Top 3 colleges in Ponce, 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.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $45,710, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $35,882, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $30,043, Caribbean University-Ponce
Caribbean University-Ponce
Top 2 colleges in Ponce, 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.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $22,404, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $20,637, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Top 2 colleges in Ponce, 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.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $26,213, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $23,976, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Top 2 colleges in Ponce, 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.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $31,394, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $24,908, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Top 3 colleges in Ponce, 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.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $78,882, Caribbean University-Ponce
Caribbean University-Ponce
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $78,173, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $50,310, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Top 3 most affordable colleges in Ponce, 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.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $4,964, Caribbean University-Ponce
Caribbean University-Ponce
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Rank 2, Net Price, $10,990, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
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Rank 3, Net Price, $13,192, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Top 2 colleges in Ponce, 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.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 83.1%, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 73.0%, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
In-state tuition: Ponce, Puerto Rico vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Ponce, Puerto Rico median in-state tuition is $8,970, +62.7% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Ponce, Puerto Rico vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Ponce, Puerto Rico is $9,500 (-28.4% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $9,500.
Median earnings (10 years out): Ponce, Puerto Rico vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Ponce, Puerto Rico center around $24,908 (-54.2% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Ponce, 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 76.9% at the median Ponce, Puerto Rico campus (-11.1 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
Ponce, Puerto Rico median public in-state tuition is $8,970, about +62.7% vs the national median. Versus the Outlying Areas region, tuition is +68.4%.
Median graduate debt is $9,500 (-28.4% below the U.S. median of $13,271). 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 Ponce, Puerto Rico are $24,908, about -54.2% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 76.9% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (-11.1 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 76.0% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 20.7% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 45.3% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include University of Puerto Rico at Ponce (80.2%), Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce (76.9%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Ponce, Puerto Rico is 46.2% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Ponce?
This city profile covers 10 campuses in Ponce, Puerto Rico with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Ponce?
Median in-state tuition in Ponce is $8,970 and median net price is $9,146. For Puerto Rico overall, medians are $5,314 and $8,830; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Ponce?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Ponce is $24,908 vs $26,472 for Puerto Rico and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Ponce colleges?
Median completer debt in Ponce is $9,500 vs $9,500 for Puerto Rico and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Ponce?
Top campuses on this page include Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce (graduation) and University of Puerto Rico at Ponce (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Ponce?
Among 10 campuses in Ponce, Puerto Rico, 7 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce, and Caribbean University-Ponce; 1 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campus (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (1).
Sources & related
- Puerto Rico college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON