University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon
Bayamon, Puerto Rico · Public · 35.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 22/100 · Below Benchmark
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon (UPR-Bayamon) posts an ROI score of 22 - Below Benchmark tier, but the data requires significant context. Tuition is just $6,284 (in-state and out-of-state at parity), with net price of $8,484 producing a $33,936 four-year all-in cost. Median debt is also low at $5,500. The federal Scorecard reports a payback period of 999 years against the U.S. high-school baseline. Six-year average earnings are not reported; median 10-year earnings are $34,409. Completion rate of 37.1% is the most damaging input. The 77.3% three-year repayment rate is genuinely strong - low borrowing produces manageable payments even at modest earnings. Strong programs include Accounting (A grade) and Biology (A grade); the institution serves a high-need Puerto Rican student body. The ROI score understates the institution's value within its local context.
How University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon scores under our methodology
These are the College Scorecard measures that pull this school's CampusROI score down. They describe the published figures, not the quality of the education, and they are our reading of the data. Check them against your own aid offer and intended major.
- ROI Score22/100 - Below Benchmark tier of our scale (below 45). For context, 38% of the schools we score reach 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate37.1% - The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our score, since a degree that is not finished rarely pays back.
- Payback period>50 years - In our estimate, the earnings premium over a high school completer is small next to the cost, so the cost may not be recouped within a working career.
University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $6,284/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $6,284/yr |
| Average net price | $8,484/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $33,936 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,409 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | N/A |
| Median debt at graduation | $5,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $58 |
| Estimated payback period | >50 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 37.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,851 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $6,284/year, which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $8,484/year, or roughly $33,936 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $7,035/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $11,101/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $5,500, which works out to about $58 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. We do not have the six-year earnings figure needed to work out a debt-to-earnings ratio for this school.
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 | $7,035 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,432 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,088 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,091 |
| $110,001+ | $11,101 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-$30,000 face a net price of $7,035 - close to sticker tuition, indicating Pell stacking covers most cost. With 87% Pell rate, this is the dominant income segment. The four-year cost of about $28,000 against $34,409 ten-year earnings produces workable math for completers; low borrowing means low repayment burden.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $9,432 and $48,001-$75,000 pays $11,088. Net prices step up across brackets because Pell phases out, but absolute prices remain very low.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $11,091 and $110,001-plus pays $11,101. Higher-income Puerto Rican families face very modest absolute costs.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | $37,097 | C+ |
| Biology | $29,279 | A |
| Accounting | $43,129 | A |
| Special Education and Teaching | $32,294 | C |
| Teacher Education | $28,845 | C+ |
| Marketing | $31,911 | - |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $36,887 | - |
| Finance and Financial Management | $38,555 | - |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $46,550 | - |
| Business Operations Support | $28,879 | - |
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.
Accounting
Accounting is UPR-Bayamon's standout program, graduating 33 students with first-year earnings of $25,952 climbing to $43,129 by year four. Median debt of just $5,500 produces a remarkable 0.212 debt-to-earnings ratio and an A grade. The very low debt level is the differentiator; even modest earnings translate into healthy ROI when borrowing is minimal. Graduates entering Puerto Rican CPA practices, government, or financial services roles see steady advancement.
Biology
Biology graduates 54 students with first-year earnings of $22,338 climbing to $29,279 by year four. Median debt of $5,500 produces a 0.246 ratio and A grade. The low borrowing makes biology an excellent value despite modest absolute earnings. UPR's biology programs are known for strong pre-med pipelines into Puerto Rican medical schools and mainland US graduate programs.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates 28 students with $11,899 first-year earnings climbing to $28,845 by year four. Median debt of $5,500 produces a 0.462 ratio and C+ grade. Puerto Rico teacher salaries are substantially below mainland US levels, which is the dominant constraint. The C+ grade reflects local pay scales rather than program quality; for prospective Puerto Rican teachers, UPR-Bayamon offers an affordable preparation pathway.
Special Education and Teaching
Special Education graduates 33 students with $9,503 first-year earnings, $32,294 four-year out. Median debt of $5,250 produces a 0.552 ratio and C grade. Special education in Puerto Rico is a high-need field with limited initial wages but reasonable mid-career advancement paths.
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
Biological Sciences graduates 62 students with first-year earnings of $11,062 climbing meaningfully to $37,097 by year four. Median debt of $5,500 produces a 0.497 ratio and C+ grade. The strong four-year ramp suggests many graduates pursue graduate or professional study (pre-med, pharmacy, healthcare research), then enter substantially higher-earning careers.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 75.5% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 77.3% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 57.4% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | N/A | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 35.3% |
| Enrollment | 2,851 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 86.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $5,869 |
UPR-Bayamon's admission rate is 35.3%. SAT and ACT mid-ranges are not reported because these tests are not standard for UPR admission. The selectivity combined with a 37% completion rate is unusual; the gap likely reflects financial pressure on students and migration to mainland US labor markets rather than academic mismatch.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon (this school) | 22 | $8,484 | $34,409 |
| University of Puerto Rico-Humacao | 23 | $12,675 | $29,521 |
| University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo | 22 | $10,680 | $30,512 |
| University of Puerto Rico-Carolina | 22 | $12,945 | $30,626 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla | 21 | $8,742 | $24,776 |
| University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla | 21 | $7,765 | $27,997 |
Who Thrives Here
UPR-Bayamon enrolls 2,851 students with a Pell Grant rate of 86.9%. Nearly nine in ten students come from lower-income households and qualify for full federal need-based aid. The fit case is a Puerto Rican resident planning to study locally, drawn to the very low absolute cost, and either committed to building a career on the island or planning to relocate to the mainland after graduation. Strong programs in accounting, biology, and engineering technologies offer real value paths.
The Verdict: Below Benchmark Under Our Scoring
Under our methodology, University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon scores 22/100, which falls in the Below Benchmark tier (below 45). At a net price of $8,484 per year, with typical graduate earnings of $34,409 ten years after entry, we estimate the payback period at more than 50 years. In our view that makes the financial case a hard one to make on the numbers alone, but those numbers are averages: your major, your aid package and what you want from a degree all change the picture, so run your own numbers before you commit.
What to keep an eye on: weak earnings relative to cost, its 37.1% graduation rate, a long payback period.
University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon: Common Questions
Is University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon worth it?
In our view, the financial case is a hard one to make on the numbers alone. University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon scores 22/100 on our ROI scale, in the Below Benchmark tier (below 45). At $8,484 a year after aid against $34,409 in typical earnings ten years out, we estimate the payback period at more than 50 years. Your major and aid package can change the picture, so run your own numbers.
How much does University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $8,484 a year, or roughly $33,936 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $34,409 ten years after enrolling, at or below the $41,800 median for high-school graduates (NCES, 2022). With little earnings gap to cover the cost, the financial return is hard to make.
How long does it take to pay off University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at more than 50 years for University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
What is the graduation rate at University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon?
The six-year graduation rate is 37.1%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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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.