Accounting at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

These earnings numbers—$15,925 one year out, $24,130 four years out—rank in just the 10th percentile among Puerto Rico's 40 accounting programs. While the island's job market differs dramatically from the mainland (the PR median for accounting grads is $24,979, less than half the national figure), this program still underperforms its local peers by a significant margin. The top-performing EDP campuses in Puerto Rico report earnings nearly $8,000 higher than this program's four-year mark, suggesting the issue isn't purely geographic.

The 52% earnings growth over four years shows graduates do make progress, but they're starting from an unusually low base. At $18,750 in debt—higher than the Puerto Rico median of $12,262—graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.18, meaning they owe more than an entire year's starting salary. That's a tough position for launching a career, particularly given the 83% Pell Grant population that likely has limited financial cushion.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means a few atypical outcomes could skew the picture. However, with dozens of other accounting programs across Puerto Rico delivering measurably better results, parents should approach this option skeptically unless there are compelling geographic or personal reasons that make alternatives impractical.