Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at NUC University

NUC University's nursing program sits squarely in the middle among Puerto Rico's 32 nursing programs—hitting the 60th percentile for graduate earnings—but those earnings tell a troubling story when compared to mainland standards. At $16,905 one year after graduation and $22,712 four years out, graduates earn just 5% of what nursing graduates nationally make. Even accounting for Puerto Rico's lower cost of living, this is dramatically below what registered nurses typically earn, and well below the $31,869 that top-performing EDP University locations achieve for their nursing graduates across the island.

The 34% earnings growth over four years shows positive momentum, and the debt load of $11,667 is relatively manageable compared to the national nursing program median of $20,751. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 means graduates owe less than what they'll earn in their first year, which is favorable positioning. However, this metric masks the fundamental issue: these absolute earnings levels create real financial strain, particularly for the 71% of students who qualify for Pell grants and likely have limited family financial resources.

For families considering this program, the central question isn't whether NUC performs well against other Puerto Rico options—it's competitive there. The question is whether $22,712 four years post-graduation provides sufficient income to build financial stability, especially if students need to support family members or eventually relocate. The robust sample size makes these numbers reliable, not outliers.