Business Administration, Management and Operations at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo's business program sits near the middle of Puerto Rico's market—40th percentile statewide—but the earnings themselves tell a concerning story. Starting salaries of $18,225 are less than half the national median for business degrees, and even after four years, graduates earn just $22,471. While this is typical for Puerto Rico (matching the state median closely), it's significantly below what graduates earn at UPR-Mayaguez ($38,052) or even other Ana G. Mendez campuses.

The debt load of $14,357 is relatively modest, and the 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can theoretically manage payments. However, with starting salaries this low, even moderate debt becomes a real burden—those first-year earnings translate to less than $1,520 monthly before taxes. The 23% earnings growth over four years is positive, but it's climbing from an extremely low base. Keep in mind these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary considerably.

For families considering this program: if staying in Puerto Rico and needing an affordable credential, this delivers exactly average results for the island at below-average cost. But if your student has options to attend UPR-Mayaguez or study on the mainland, those paths offer substantially better earning potential that would justify their likely higher costs.