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

The glaring mismatch here tells you everything: this program's earnings are pegged to a national median of $51,744, but that figure is essentially meaningless in Puerto Rico's nursing market. The one comparable program in the state with actual reported data—Universal Technology College—shows first-year earnings of $16,236, which is what practical nurses actually earn in Puerto Rico. Using a national benchmark for a healthcare profession that operates in a distinctly local labor market creates a fantasy picture that doesn't reflect economic reality.

The estimated $8,000 debt figure appears more grounded—it matches the state median for similar programs and seems reasonable for a program where 82% of students receive Pell grants. Against the realistic $16,236 earnings figure (not the inflated national estimate), that debt represents about half a year's salary, which is manageable but hardly inspiring. The program serves a predominantly low-income student body pursuing a stable healthcare credential, which has intrinsic value in Puerto Rico's economy.

Here's what matters: if your child attends this program, expect them to earn around $16,000 in their first year, not $51,000. That's the Puerto Rico nursing market. The debt load appears modest enough not to create crushing financial pressure, but don't let estimated national earnings figures create unrealistic expectations about what practical nursing pays on the island.