Business/Commerce at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo
Bachelor's Degree
pucpr.edu/areciboAnalysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 suggests manageable borrowing for this business degree, though both the $47,506 salary estimate and $27,000 debt figure come from national peer programs rather than this campus's actual outcomes. For context, business bachelor's programs nationwide typically produce first-year earnings right around this $47,506 mark, so the estimate aligns with the field's norms. The debt level also tracks closely with the national median of $26,000 for business degrees.
What matters here is Puerto Rico's economic context. With 76% of students receiving Pell grants, most families at this campus face significant financial constraints, and local job markets typically offer lower salaries than mainland U.S. positions. If your child plans to work in Puerto Rico after graduation, actual earnings could fall below the national estimate, making even this seemingly reasonable debt burden feel heavier. Conversely, graduates willing to relocate to the mainland might find opportunities that exceed these projections.
The lack of reported outcomes from any Puerto Rico business program makes it impossible to assess how this specific campus performs. Before committing, push the school for placement data: where do their business graduates actually work, and what do they earn? Without that information, you're investing based on national averages that may not reflect Puerto Rican realities.
Where Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,238 | $47,506* | โ | $27,000* | โ | |
| $11,678 | $94,041* | โ | โ* | โ | |
| $60,438 | $77,828* | $115,546 | $19,500* | 0.25 | |
| $64,758 | $76,722* | $91,708 | $18,899* | 0.25 | |
| $54,844 | $74,886* | $90,608 | $15,000* | 0.20 | |
| $63,141 | $74,868* | $91,376 | $24,000* | 0.32 | |
| National Median | โ | $47,506* | โ | $26,000* | 0.55 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates
Sales Managers
Industrial Production Managers
Quality Control Systems Managers
Geothermal Production Managers
Biofuels Production Managers
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Hydroelectric Production Managers
Construction Managers
Administrative Services Managers
Facilities Managers
Security Managers
Chief Executives
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 Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo, approximately 76% 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 242 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.