Public Graduate Strong 74/100

University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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Arecibo, Puerto Rico

About University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo

University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. It enrolls 2,669 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Acceptance
59.2%
Graduation
52.1%
Net Price
$10,680
Median Earnings (10yr)
$30,512
Enrollment
2,669
Student : Faculty
18:1

Accreditor Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Academic Calendar Semester

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Strong
74/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes 46
Value 56
Affordability 95
Selectivity 76

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

With an acceptance rate of 59.2%, University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is moderately selective.

Acceptance Rate
59.2%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
Test Policy Test Optional Applicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores.

5-Year Admission Trend

Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.

Becoming less selective 12.3 pts since 2019
49.9%201961%202055.8%202160%202262.3%2023

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $10,680 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.

Average Net Price
$10,680
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
89%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
3%
Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees
$5,354
Room & Board (off-campus)
$11,613
Books & Supplies
$4,168
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,992
Total Cost of Attendance
$17,710

Application fee: $30 (one-time, due at submission)


Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

  • Under $30,000
    $10,332
  • $30,001 – $48,000
    $11,033
  • $48,001 – $75,000
    $12,065
  • $75,001 – $110,000
    $12,960

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

$3,000
10% percentile
$3,500
25% percentile
$4,500
Median percentile
$5,500
75% percentile
$9,000
90% percentile

Median Debt by Student Type

Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.

GroupDebtvs Median
Female students $4,500
Male students $4,500
Female students: 50.0% (2,250 students)Male students: 50.0% (2,250 students)Overall Median$4,500
What this means: Aid reaches the majority of students: 89% receive Pell grants. If your family qualifies for Pell, the actual cost to you is likely far below the average.

Graduation Rate & Retention

52% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduate within six years, and 77% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

6-Year Graduation Rate
52%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
77%
Returning for their second year

After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes

According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo earn a median of $30,512 ten years after first enrolling. That's below the national median for U.S. colleges.

Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$30,512
Earning > $25K
51%
10 yrs after entry

Earnings Growth After Graduation

Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.

$18,000$21,000$25,000$29,000$32,0006 yrs8 yrs10 yrs

Loan Repayment Progression

Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.

Stable 2.6 pts across 6 years
63.4%1yr66%3yr66%5yr
What this signals: Moderate. Only 66% of graduates are paying down principal seven years out.

Who Studies Here

University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is home to 2,669 students, a mid-sized community.

Total Enrolled
2,669
Part-Time
5%
First-Generation
22%

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents
Hispanic 100.0% 2,669
Hispanic: 100.0% (2,669 students)Total2,669

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting
Small City Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Housing
Commuter campus No on-campus housing
Adult Learners
3% of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAA athletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semester scheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)

What You Can Study

University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo offers a varied set of programs: 16 distinct programs across 10 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

1 Program
2 Programs
4 Programs
2 Programs
1 Program

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is 18:1, on the higher side.

Student : Faculty
18:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$5,964
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Avg Faculty Salary
$72,494
9-month equivalent across all ranks

Faculty by Rank

139 instructional faculty across 4 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.

Rank Faculty Count Share Avg Salary
Full Professors 69 50% $78,973
Associate Professors 23 17% $67,667
Assistant Professors 20 14% $61,046
Instructors 27 19% $51,479

Pros & Cons of University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo

A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.

PROS
  • Below-average net price
  • Wide reach of need-based federal aid
  • Low typical debt at graduation
CONS
  • Class sizes are on the higher side
  • Below-average completion rate
  • Modest first-year retention
  • Below-average post-graduation earnings

Frequently Asked Questions about University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo

Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo.

Is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo hard to get into?
Admissions at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 59.2%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo has an acceptance rate of 59.2%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is $10,680 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $30,512 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $10,680 per year. That's roughly 2.9x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo known for?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is best known for its programs in Microbiology, Nursing, Industrial Production Tech. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo are $30,512, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo accredited?
Yes. University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
How many students attend University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo enrolls 2,669 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo graduates 52% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo a public or private college?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is a Public institution.
Where is University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo located?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is located in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
What programs does University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo offer?
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo offers 16 distinct programs. The most popular include Microbiology, Nursing, Industrial Production Tech.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is 18:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.

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