Puerto Rico Trade Schools: Cost, Completion & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Trade schools in Puerto Rico: 64 trade and vocational campuses (60 trade schools, 4 community colleges) median net price $6,146 (-56.8% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $20,854 (-40.4% vs U.S.) median completion rate 68.7% employment-outcome proxy 67.5% working & not enrolled at 8 years.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 64 campuses (60 trade schools, 4 community colleges)
- Total enrollment: 47,260 students
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $20,854 (-40.4% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 67.5% (-13.5 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $6,146 (-56.8% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $4,646 (-52.1% vs U.S. $9,699); regional median $4,646. Debt rank: #1 nationally of 52 (lower debt = better rank); #1 in Outlying Areas of 1
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 68.7%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 59.4%
- Earnings rank: #52 nationally (higher median 10-yr earnings = better rank)
- Employment-outcome rank: #45 nationally (higher working share = better rank)
- Student debt rank: #1 nationally of 52; #1 in Outlying Areas of 1 (lower debt = better rank)
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Overview
Trade schools and vocational programs in Puerto Rico include certificate-focused campuses and community colleges with career and technical education pathways. 64 campuses in this profile (60 trade schools, 4 community colleges), with about 47,260 students enrolled, and median net price near $6,146. Programs span healthcare, skilled trades, manufacturing, and other workforce credentials—tables below compare completion, earnings, and employment outcomes with U.S. and Outlying Areas medians.
Puerto Rico vs regional & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico (PR) | — | $6,146 | $4,646 | 68.7% | 47,260 |
| Outlying Areas (region median) | — | $6,146 | $4,646 | 68.7% | 47,260 |
| United States | — | $14,215 | $9,699 | 63.3% | 5,490,315 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico (PR) | $20,854 | 67.5% | 59.4% | 5.8% | — | 42.0% | 0.20 |
| United States | $34,984 | 80.9% | 64.9% | 11.1% | — | 50.5% | 0.28 |
Outcomes by sector in 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 for-profit | 46 | $20,251 | 66.7% | 51.5% | 0.00% | — | 42.6% |
| Private nonprofit | 6 | $19,820 | 66.6% | 65.3% | 5.8% | — | 41.0% |
| Public | 6 | $26,293 | 79.3% | 46.3% | 8.7% | — | 41.2% |
Top 10 trade schools in Puerto Rico by completion rate (150% time, certificate programs)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate among trade schools and community colleges in this profile (enrollment ≥ 50). Source: College Scorecard.
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Rank 1, Completion Rate, 100.0%, Charlie's Guard-Detective Bureau and Academy Inc
Charlie's Guard-Detective Bureau and Academy Inc
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Rank 2, Completion Rate, 97.1%, Caribbean Aviation Training Institute Inc
Caribbean Aviation Training Institute Inc
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Rank 3, Completion Rate, 95.3%, Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad
Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad
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Rank 4, Completion Rate, 90.8%, Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla
Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla
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Rank 5, Completion Rate, 90.0%, Century College
Century College
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Rank 6, Completion Rate, 87.8%, Academia Serrant Inc
Academia Serrant Inc
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Rank 7, Completion Rate, 86.5%, Escuela de Peritos Electricistas de Isabela Inc
Escuela de Peritos Electricistas de Isabela Inc
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Rank 8, Completion Rate, 85.3%, Escuela Hotelera de San Juan
Escuela Hotelera de San Juan
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Rank 9, Completion Rate, 85.1%, Automeca Technical College-Caguas
Automeca Technical College-Caguas
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Rank 10, Completion Rate, 82.7%, IVAEM College
IVAEM College
Top 10 trade schools in Puerto Rico by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 86.4%, Universidad Central Del Caribe
Universidad Central Del Caribe
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 79.3%, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Education-PRAMI
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Education-PRAMI
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 79.3%, Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje
Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 79.3%, Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Manati
Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Manati
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 79.3%, Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Guayama
Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Guayama
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 79.3%, Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de San Juan
Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de San Juan
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Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 77.2%, Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad
Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad
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Rank 8, Employment Outcome, 77.1%, University of Puerto Rico-Utuado
University of Puerto Rico-Utuado
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Rank 9, Employment Outcome, 75.3%, Escuela de Peritos Electricistas de Isabela Inc
Escuela de Peritos Electricistas de Isabela Inc
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Rank 10, Employment Outcome, 75.1%, Columbia Central University-Caguas
Columbia Central University-Caguas
Top 10 trade schools in Puerto Rico by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
None
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $25,110, Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad
Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $25,066, Escuela de Peritos Electricistas de Isabela Inc
Escuela de Peritos Electricistas de Isabela Inc
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $24,669, Universidad Central Del Caribe
Universidad Central Del Caribe
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $24,493, Mech-Tech College
Mech-Tech College
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $24,259, NUC University
NUC University
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $23,272, Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla
Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla
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Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $23,272, Advantage Technical College
Advantage Technical College
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Rank 8, Mid-Career Earnings, $23,272, Advantage Technical College
Advantage Technical College
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Rank 9, Mid-Career Earnings, $22,824, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Education-PRAMI
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Education-PRAMI
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Rank 10, Mid-Career Earnings, $22,824, Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje
Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje
Top 10 trade schools in Puerto Rico by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
None
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $29,960, Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad
Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $28,130, Escuela de Peritos Electricistas de Isabela Inc
Escuela de Peritos Electricistas de Isabela Inc
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $25,992, Universidad Central Del Caribe
Universidad Central Del Caribe
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $25,230, Liceo de Arte y Tecnologia
Liceo de Arte y Tecnologia
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $24,728, Mech-Tech College
Mech-Tech College
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $24,623, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Education-PRAMI
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Education-PRAMI
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Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $24,623, Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje
Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje
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Rank 8, 8-Yr Earnings, $24,623, Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Manati
Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Manati
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Rank 9, 8-Yr Earnings, $24,623, Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Guayama
Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Guayama
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Rank 10, 8-Yr Earnings, $24,623, Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de San Juan
Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de San Juan
Top 10 trade schools in Puerto Rico by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
None
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $31,468, Universidad Central Del Caribe
Universidad Central Del Caribe
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $26,905, Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla
Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $26,905, Advantage Technical College
Advantage Technical College
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $26,905, Advantage Technical College
Advantage Technical College
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $26,733, Liceo de Arte y Tecnologia
Liceo de Arte y Tecnologia
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $26,398, Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad
Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad
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Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $26,293, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Education-PRAMI
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Education-PRAMI
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Rank 8, 10-Yr Earnings, $26,293, Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje
Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje
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Rank 9, 10-Yr Earnings, $26,293, Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Manati
Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Manati
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Rank 10, 10-Yr Earnings, $26,293, Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Guayama
Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Guayama
Top 10 trade schools in Puerto Rico by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year ROI among trade schools and community colleges with enrollment ≥ 50.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $130,930, Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad
Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $128,178, Universidad Central Del Caribe
Universidad Central Del Caribe
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $124,035, Escuela de Peritos Electricistas de Isabela Inc
Escuela de Peritos Electricistas de Isabela Inc
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $120,232, Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje
Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $119,720, Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de San Juan
Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de San Juan
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $116,080, NUC University
NUC University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $115,700, Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Manati
Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Manati
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Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $113,926, Automeca Technical College-Ponce
Automeca Technical College-Ponce
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Rank 9, 10-Yr ROI, $113,650, Automeca Technical College-Bayamon
Automeca Technical College-Bayamon
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Rank 10, 10-Yr ROI, $113,532, Automeca Technical College-Aguadilla
Automeca Technical College-Aguadilla
Top 10 most affordable trade schools in Puerto Rico (net price)
Lowest median net price among trade schools and community colleges with enrollment ≥ 50.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $1,993, Emma's Beauty Academy-Juana Diaz
Emma's Beauty Academy-Juana Diaz
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Rank 2, Net Price, $1,121, Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de San Juan
Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de San Juan
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Rank 3, Net Price, $905, Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje
Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje
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Rank 4, Net Price, $3,872, Dewey University-Manati
Dewey University-Manati
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Rank 5, Net Price, $3,900, Automeca Technical College-Bayamon
Automeca Technical College-Bayamon
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Rank 6, Net Price, $3,912, Antilles School of Technical Careers
Antilles School of Technical Careers
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Rank 7, Net Price, $4,074, Charlie's Guard-Detective Bureau and Academy Inc
Charlie's Guard-Detective Bureau and Academy Inc
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Rank 8, Net Price, $4,154, PPG Technical College
PPG Technical College
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Rank 9, Net Price, $4,305, Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla
Advantage Technical College-Aguadilla
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Rank 10, Net Price, $4,401, Huertas College
Huertas College
Student debt: Puerto Rico vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Puerto Rico is $4,646 (-52.1% vs U.S. median $9,699). Regional median: $4,646. Rank: #1 nationally of 52 (lower debt = better rank); #1 in Outlying Areas of 1.
Median earnings (10 years out): Puerto Rico vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Puerto Rico center around $20,854 (-40.4% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: 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 67.5% at the median Puerto Rico campus (-13.5 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
Median graduate debt is $4,646 (-52.1% below the U.S. median of $9,699, and 0.0% vs the Outlying Areas regional median of $4,646). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Student debt rank: #1 nationally of 52 (lower debt = better rank); #1 in Outlying Areas of 1 (1 = lowest median debt).
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Puerto Rico are $20,854, about -40.4% vs the U.S. campus median ($34,984).
The median campus reports 67.5% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 80.9% (-13.5 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 59.4% vs a U.S. median of 64.9%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 5.8% (U.S. 11.1%); 3-yr repayment progress 42.0% (U.S. 50.5%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Nationally, Puerto Rico ranks earnings #52 and employment proxy #45 on these outcome medians (1 = best).
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Universidad Central Del Caribe (86.4%), Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Education-PRAMI (79.3%), Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje (79.3%), Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Manati (79.3%), Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Guayama (79.3%), Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de San Juan (79.3%), Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad (77.2%), University of Puerto Rico-Utuado (77.1%), Escuela de Peritos Electricistas de Isabela Inc (75.3%), Columbia Central University-Caguas (75.1%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Puerto Rico, sector medians diverge: Private for-profit median 10-yr earnings $20,251 (46 campuses); Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $19,820 (6 campuses); Public median 10-yr earnings $26,293 (6 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 Puerto Rico is 68.7% (national institution average about 63.3%).
FAQ
How much do trade schools cost in Puerto Rico?
Among trade schools and community colleges in Puerto Rico, median net price is $6,146 vs $14,215 nationally (-56.8% vs U.S.).
What is typical student debt at Puerto Rico trade schools?
Median federal loan debt among completers at trade and vocational campuses in Puerto Rico is $4,646 vs a U.S. median of $9,699 (Puerto Rico ranks #1 nationally for median debt among states.)
What do trade school graduates earn in Puerto Rico?
Median earnings 10 years after entry for Puerto Rico trade schools and community colleges reporting to the College Scorecard is $20,854 vs $34,984 nationally. Six-year medians are $18,306.
What share of Puerto Rico trade school students are working after completion?
The federal employment-outcome proxy on this site (8-year cohort working and not enrolled) has a median of 67.5% in Puerto Rico vs 80.9% nationally.
How many trade schools are in Puerto Rico?
This profile covers 60 trade schools and 4 community colleges (64 total) in Puerto Rico with roughly 47,260 total reported enrollment.
How many public vs. private trade schools are in Puerto Rico?
Among trade schools and community colleges with outcomes in the College Scorecard extract: 6 public, 6 private nonprofit, and 46 private for-profit institutions.
What are the top trade schools in Puerto Rico?
Rankings on this page use College Scorecard medians for trade schools and community colleges; standouts include highest completion rate: Charlie's Guard-Detective Bureau and Academy Inc; highest 10-year earnings: Universidad Central Del Caribe; lowest net price among large campuses: Emma's Beauty Academy-Juana Diaz. See the ranked lists below for full details.
Are there Hispanic-serving or other designated trade schools in Puerto Rico?
Among 143 campuses in Puerto Rico, 118 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Institute of Beauty Careers, American Educational College, and Antilles School of Technical Careers; 9 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (5), Seventh Day Adventist (1), Church of God (1).
How does Puerto Rico compare to its Census region for trade schools?
Puerto Rico is in the Outlying Areas region. Regional median net price is $6,146 and median 10-year earnings are $21,504 vs $6,146 net price and $20,854 earnings in Puerto Rico.
Sources & related
- All trade school profiles
- Puerto Rico college profile
- Trade school costs by state
- Trade schools and public community colleges (College Scorecard)
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
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