Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Columbia Central University-Caguas

The most striking feature here is the dramatic gap between Puerto Rico's nursing market and the mainland—graduates earn $16,905 their first year, just 5th percentile nationally but exactly at Puerto Rico's median for nursing programs. This isn't a program problem; it's a reflection of the island's healthcare compensation structure, where even nursing roles pay a fraction of stateside rates.

The positive angle: at $3,500 in debt, this is remarkably affordable financing for a healthcare credential. That 0.21 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than three months' salary, compared to over a year's earnings at many mainland programs. The 23% earnings growth to $20,745 by year four shows career progression, though graduates should understand they're still earning far below the $68,000+ that nursing associates typically make nationally. The top EDP University programs in Puerto Rico demonstrate that nursing graduates *can* earn $32,000 on the island—nearly double this program's outcomes.

For families committed to staying in Puerto Rico, this offers an affordable entry into healthcare with manageable debt. But if mainland employment is a realistic option—where these same credentials could command triple the income—that calculus changes entirely. The credential travels; the earnings don't necessarily need to stay island-bound.