Caribbean University-Ponce
Ponce, Puerto Rico · Private Nonprofit
ROI Score: 17/100 · Poor Value
Caribbean University-Ponce earns a 17/100 ROI score and a Poor Value tier. The headline numbers reflect both genuine institutional underperformance and the structural reality of Puerto Rico's labor market. Median earnings six years after entry are just $18,400, climbing only to $22,842 by year ten. The earnings premium is NEGATIVE 61.2% -- the lowest sub-score possible (0/100) -- meaning graduates earn dramatically less than typical high-school graduates in the cohort. The 999-year payback period is the algorithm's signal that earnings effectively never recoup cost. Net price is just $4,964 -- one of the lowest in our database, reflecting both low tuition ($8,844 sticker) and aggressive Pell-grant absorption. Total four-year cost is $19,856. Median federal debt is $10,500, the lowest in this batch, producing a 0.571 debt-to-earnings ratio. Completion is 36.7%, weak. The repayment record is among the worst in our database: 41% of borrowers are making progress at three years, falling to 31% at five years -- many borrowers are actively defaulting or in extreme distress. The honest read: the low cost and low absolute debt are real positives, but graduates' wages are so weak that even small loans become problematic. This is a Puerto Rico labor-market story as much as an institutional one; students should evaluate whether mainland pathways or higher-ROI Puerto Rico institutions (UPR system) make more sense.
The data raises concerns about Caribbean University-Ponce
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score17/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate36.7% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period>50 years - Graduates earn at or near the level of high school completers — the cost may not recoup within a working career.
Caribbean University-Ponce
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,844/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $8,844/yr |
| Average net price | $4,964/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $19,856 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $22,842 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $18,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $10,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $111 |
| Estimated payback period | >50 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 36.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 414 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Caribbean University-Ponce is $8,844/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $4,964/year, or roughly $19,856 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of N/A/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay N/A/year.
The median graduate leaves with $10,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $111 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $22,842 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.57 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | N/A |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,964 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | N/A |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | N/A |
| $110,001+ | N/A |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The income-bracket data is largely missing for Caribbean-Ponce -- only the $30K-$48K bracket is reported, at $4,964 net price. The other brackets (under $30K, $48K-$75K, $75K-$110K, $110K+) all show null. This reflects the school's narrow student demographic, where almost the entire student body is in the lowest two income tiers. Pell-eligible students likely pay near-zero or receive cash refunds.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30K-$48K bracket pays $4,964, the only reported bracket. The school does not report enough students in higher income tiers to publish reliable bracket-specific net prices. Practically, this means middle-income families considering this school should run the institution's own net-price calculator rather than rely on aggregated data.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The high-income brackets are entirely null in current Scorecard data, indicating that essentially no students above $75,000 household income enroll at Caribbean-Ponce. For any high-income family considering this institution, the data simply does not exist; this is not a school that serves that demographic.
Earnings by Major
Top 5 most popular majors at Caribbean University-Ponce with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work | $26,324 | B+ |
| Practical Nursing | $30,043 | F |
| Accounting | $26,619 | - |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | $16,087 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $24,784 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Social Work
Social work is Caribbean-Ponce's strongest tracked outcome. Graduates earn $26,324 four years out (1-year not reported) with $7,500 median debt and a 0.285 debt-to-earnings ratio -- a B+ grade. With 5 graduates per cohort the program is small but produces respectable individual outcomes given the local labor market. For students committed to social work careers in Puerto Rico, the low debt and reasonable earnings ratio make this a workable path.
Practical Nursing
Practical nursing graduates earn $10,084 one year out -- below the federal poverty line for an individual -- climbing to $30,043 four years out. Median debt is $15,250 against a 1.512 debt-to-earnings ratio (F grade). 5 graduates per cohort. The first-year earnings figure is anomalously low and likely reflects part-time post-graduation employment or licensure delays. Even at these low debt levels, the year-one financial position is severe.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal justice graduates earn $15,127 one year out and $24,784 four years out, with $13,500 median debt and a 0.892 debt-to-earnings ratio (D grade). The figures reflect Puerto Rico's lower public-sector wages. Students pursuing law-enforcement careers in Puerto Rico face meaningfully lower earnings than mainland comparators.
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
Allied health graduates earn $7,046 one year out and $16,087 four years out -- the lowest tracked earnings in this batch and below typical earnings for a high-school graduate. Median debt is $6,000 with a 0.852 debt-to-earnings ratio (D grade). 1 graduate per cohort makes this a tiny sample, and the earnings figures should be treated as non-representative.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 34.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 41.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 30.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 35.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 414 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 71.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $2,281 |
Caribbean-Ponce's admission rate is not reported in current Scorecard data, consistent with effectively open-admission Puerto Rico privates. SAT and ACT mid-ranges are also not reported -- standardized testing is not commonly required for Puerto Rico institutions, where the College Board's PAA (Spanish-language admission test) is more typical and not captured in the Scorecard data. The 36.7% completion rate is weak and reflects retention challenges typical of small access-mission Puerto Rico privates.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Caribbean-Ponce's peer set includes Universidad Adventista de las Antillas, Atlantic University, Maine College of Art and Design, Metropolitan College of New York, and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. The most relevant comparator is Universidad Adventista de las Antillas, also a Puerto Rico private with similar access mission. Atlantic University in Puerto Rico is a closer comparator than the mainland art schools in this list, which are not really comparable in mission or labor market.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caribbean University-Ponce (this school) | 17 | $4,964 | $22,842 |
| Universidad Central de Bayamon | 20 | $4,827 | $25,021 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Fajardo | 20 | $9,230 | $23,132 |
| University of Puerto Rico at Ponce | 19 | $10,990 | $31,394 |
| Caribbean University-Carolina | 18 | $5,791 | $22,842 |
| Universidad del Sagrado Corazon | 16 | $12,924 | $31,754 |
Who Thrives Here
Caribbean-Ponce enrolls just 414 students with a 71.0% Pell rate -- one of the highest Pell rates in the database, indicating a deeply low-income student body. The fit profile is narrow: place-bound Ponce-area residents seeking workforce-ready credentials in social work, allied health, or criminal justice at the lowest possible out-of-pocket cost. Students should evaluate whether UPR-Ponce or UPR-Mayaguez offers better outcomes at similar cost; the public Puerto Rico universities consistently outperform the small private sector.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Caribbean University-Ponce. With a net cost of $4,964 per year and median graduate earnings of only $22,842 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds >50 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 36.7% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $10,500 against $22,842 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.