Analysis
Puerto Rico's accounting associate programs typically produce first-year earnings around $26,000, making the estimated $37,000 figure here—drawn from national benchmarks—potentially misleading for students planning to work locally. Similar programs at NUC University, the only Puerto Rico school with reported data, show graduates earning roughly $26,000, which aligns with the state median. If Caribbean University-Ponce's outcomes track closer to Puerto Rico norms than national ones, that would push the debt-to-earnings ratio from 0.71 to over 1.0—a substantial difference when planning loan repayment.
The estimated $26,000 in debt sits above both the state and national medians for this credential, and it's based on just 16 similar institution types rather than actual Caribbean University-Ponce outcomes. For context, three-quarters of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting limited family resources to cushion higher-than-average borrowing. If actual earnings land near the Puerto Rico median while debt approaches these estimates, graduates could face annual loan payments consuming 15-20% of gross income—a challenging burden for entry-level accounting work.
Given that the earnings estimate relies on national data while the debt estimate comes from institutional patterns, you're essentially looking at two different reference points that may not reflect this program's reality. Before committing, find out what Caribbean University-Ponce's actual graduates are earning and borrowing—these suppressed figures exist somewhere in the school's records, even if federal reporting rules prevent publication.
Where Caribbean University-Ponce Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all accounting associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Puerto Rico
Accounting associates's programs at peer institutions in Puerto Rico (27 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,966 | $37,001* | — | $26,291* | — | |
| $8,054 | $26,373* | $25,190 | $16,500* | 0.63 | |
| National Median | — | $37,000* | — | $19,354* | 0.52 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates
Financial Managers
Treasurers and Controllers
Investment Fund Managers
Financial and Investment Analysts
Financial Risk Specialists
Financial Examiners
Budget Analysts
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Accountants and Auditors
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Caribbean University-Ponce, approximately 75% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 118 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.