Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 signals a manageable financial burden—peer programs nationally suggest engineering graduates earn around $68,000 in their first year while carrying roughly $26,500 in debt. That's less than four months of gross income, well within conventional affordability guidelines. For a program serving predominantly Pell-eligible students (82% at Inter American-San German), these figures matter enormously, and the estimated trajectory looks sustainable.
What makes this harder to assess is that Puerto Rico has only two engineering bachelor's programs total, and neither reports actual graduate outcomes publicly. That means these estimates come from national medians rather than local labor market data. Engineering salaries can vary dramatically by geography and industry concentration—what holds true in Texas or California may not translate to Puerto Rico's economy. The absence of state-specific benchmarks leaves a significant blind spot.
Still, engineering credentials generally travel well, and the estimated debt load is reasonable enough that graduates could weather variation in local opportunities. If your child plans to work on the mainland or in sectors with national salary standards, this program appears financially viable. If they're committed to staying in Puerto Rico, understand you're betting on estimates drawn from very different economic contexts.
Where Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San German Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Engineering bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,580 | $67,911* | — | $26,459* | — | |
| $64,458 | $109,455* | $114,228 | $14,512* | 0.13 | |
| $66,255 | $92,491* | $103,969 | $22,240* | 0.24 | |
| $68,230 | $86,416* | $87,937 | $14,500* | 0.17 | |
| $15,247 | $82,956* | $104,701 | $15,000* | 0.18 | |
| $41,010 | $78,211* | — | $27,000* | 0.35 | |
| National Median | — | $67,911* | — | $26,056* | 0.38 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
Microsystems Engineers
Photonics Engineers
Robotics Engineers
Nanosystems Engineers
Wind Energy Engineers
Solar Energy Systems Engineers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San German, approximately 82% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 47 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.