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

Puerto Rico's nursing market operates in a completely different economic reality than mainland institutions, and this program sits right in the middle of that market. While the $16,039 first-year salary ranks at the 5th percentile nationally, it's actually at the 40th percentile among Puerto Rico nursing programs—essentially median performance for the island. The real question is whether nursing credentials in Puerto Rico translate to opportunities elsewhere.

The debt picture here is notably favorable: at $5,850, graduates carry about one-third the debt of their Puerto Rican peers (median $9,250) and just 22% of the national average. That's the key advantage—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 means manageable repayment even at local salary levels. The 78% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates do gain traction, reaching $28,495 by year four, though that's still well below what peers earn at top Puerto Rico programs like Universidad del Sagrado Corazon ($36,836).

The strategic calculation: if your child plans to practice nursing in Puerto Rico long-term, this program offers a low-cost entry point with room for growth. If the goal is to eventually work on the mainland where registered nurses earn $75,000+, you'll want to verify this degree provides the credentials and licensing pathway to make that transition—that portability determines whether this is a sensible local option or a program that limits future opportunities.