Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla

These strikingly low first-year earnings—barely $12,800—reflect Puerto Rico's depressed nursing wages rather than program failure. While graduates earn just 5% of what nurses nationally make after one year, they're performing roughly at the state median and seeing dramatic income growth, more than doubling their earnings by year four to nearly $26,000. That's still only about $10,000 below the island's median for nursing programs, and the $8,500 debt load is extremely manageable given Puerto Rico's cost of living.

The real question is whether your child wants to practice nursing in Puerto Rico. These earnings reflect the island's economic reality—even top programs like Universidad del Sagrado Corazon only reach $37,000 median earnings. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 is actually reasonable in this context, especially compared to the state median debt of $9,250. With 84% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a population that can't easily absorb financial risk, yet the low debt burden and steady earnings trajectory suggest most graduates can manage their obligations.

If mainland nursing salaries are the goal, consider whether your child can relocate after graduation—mainland RNs typically start around $75,000. But for students committed to staying in Puerto Rico where family ties and language often matter more than maximizing income, this represents a stable healthcare credential at minimal financial risk.