Hospitality Administration/Management at Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus

This program's earnings tell two very different stories depending on your frame of reference. While graduates start at just $14,978—putting this in the bottom 5% nationally—it actually sits at the 60th percentile among Puerto Rico's hospitality programs. The dramatic 75% earnings jump to $26,200 by year four suggests graduates who stick with the field see meaningful career progression, though they're still earning about a quarter of what mainland hospitality graduates typically make. With 70% of students on Pell grants, this program serves a population with limited alternatives.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $14,108, graduates owe roughly $10,000 less than the national median for hospitality programs, and slightly more than other PR institutions. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.94 means first-year debt roughly equals first-year salary—a tight squeeze initially, but the strong earnings growth makes repayment increasingly manageable over time.

For families considering hospitality careers in Puerto Rico's economy, this program delivers competitive outcomes within its market at a lower debt cost than mainland alternatives. The real question is whether your child plans to stay in Puerto Rico long-term or eventually relocate to the mainland, where this degree's earning power would need to catch up considerably. If staying local, the combination of below-average debt and above-median island earnings makes this a practical choice.