Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla

The numbers here tell a puzzling story that demands scrutiny. While peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $51,744, Puerto Rico's actual reported outcomes for practical nursing programs show a median of just $16,236—less than a third of that figure. That's a substantial gap that can't be ignored when evaluating this investment.

The estimated $8,000 in debt aligns with what similar Puerto Rico programs report, which is notably lower than the national median of $19,404. That's good news for the 84% of students here receiving Pell grants. However, the critical question is which earnings scenario proves accurate. If graduates actually earn closer to Puerto Rico's reported $16,236 median, the debt-to-earnings ratio jumps from a comfortable 0.15 to nearly 0.5—a far less attractive proposition. The wide disparity between national and local figures suggests either that Puerto Rico's nursing assistant market pays dramatically less, or that the national estimate doesn't translate well to this region's economic reality.

Given this uncertainty, look hard at Universal Technology College of Puerto Rico's reported $16,236 outcome—that's real data from a Puerto Rico peer institution. If that number reflects the actual local market for practical nursing graduates, you're looking at entry-level earnings well below what most associate degree programs produce nationally. Understand the regional healthcare wage structure before committing.