Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at CEM College-Humacao

The numbers here reflect Puerto Rico's dramatically different nursing market rather than a fundamental program flaw. At $14,275 one year out, CEM-Humacao graduates earn just 21% of what mainland nursing associates make—but they're only 16% below the Puerto Rico median of $16,905. Given that 89% of students receive Pell grants, the relatively modest $6,467 in debt makes this accessible to students who might not have four-year options.

The 29% earnings growth to $18,452 by year four shows some upward trajectory, though graduates remain far behind the top Puerto Rico programs (all EDP University campuses) where nurses earn over $31,000. That gap—nearly double what CEM graduates make—suggests the employment outcomes may depend heavily on which healthcare networks recruit from which schools on the island. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly year to year.

For families weighing this program, the key question is whether nursing credentials at this debt level open doors worth the investment in Puerto Rico's constrained healthcare economy. The low debt matters more than the low earnings in absolute terms. However, parents should understand their child would be entering a market where even successful nursing graduates earn a fraction of mainland wages, and this program places near the bottom of an already-challenging market.