Computer Science at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon

A $19,049 starting salary for a computer science degree falls well short of even Puerto Rico's modest expectations for this field. While the territory's CS graduates earn far less than the $70,950 national median—reflecting the island's economic realities—this program lands in just the 25th percentile among Puerto Rico schools. That means three-quarters of CS programs on the island produce better-earning graduates, including the Aguadilla campus of this same university system where grads earn $35,000.

The saving grace here is remarkably low debt of $5,500, meaning graduates can at least pay off loans quickly even with limited earnings. With 81% of students receiving Pell grants, this serves a financially vulnerable population that needs accessible education options. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these figures less reliable—the actual outcomes could be somewhat better or worse.

For families considering this program, the key question is opportunity cost. If your child can gain admission to UPR-Mayaguez or the Inter American campuses in Aguadilla or Ponce, those programs deliver 30-85% higher earnings with similar low debt levels. This Bayamon program might make sense for students who need the specific location or schedule flexibility, but it shouldn't be the first choice for CS education in Puerto Rico.