Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus

This program faces a fundamental challenge: while it ranks in the 95th percentile among Puerto Rico's allied health programs, its graduates earn just $21,354 in their first year—barely 40% of what similar programs deliver nationally. The $5,625 debt load is modest and manageable at first glance, but when earnings drop to $17,900 by year four, that seemingly small debt becomes harder to service. The program does outperform Puerto Rico's median of $11,491 by nearly double, which matters for students committed to staying local, but that still translates to poverty-level wages even with full-time work.

The earnings decline between years one and four suggests graduates may be hitting barriers to career advancement or finding limited opportunities in their field. With 70% of students on Pell grants, many families here are counting on this credential to provide economic mobility. The reality is that these earnings—while comparatively strong for Puerto Rico—fall well short of what you'd need to build financial security. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly year to year.

If staying in Puerto Rico is non-negotiable and career options are genuinely limited, this represents one of the better local choices. But parents should understand that "better" here still means low absolute earnings and a concerning income trajectory. Families with geographic flexibility might explore mainland options where these credentials command significantly higher salaries.