Social Work at Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus

This program's earnings look dire compared to mainland schools, but the Puerto Rico context completely changes the picture. While $15,258 starting out ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, it's actually above the median for PR social work programs and shows promising 41% growth to $21,511 by year four. Among the Ana G. Mendez campuses, Carolina sits in the middle of the pack—trailing Cupey's $17,692 but well ahead of Gurabo's $13,506.

The real concern is the $19,000 debt load, which is more than double the PR median of $8,752 for this field. That creates a particularly tight squeeze in the first year when graduates are earning roughly $15,000. While the debt-to-earnings ratio improves as salaries grow, compare this to University of Puerto Rico-Humacao, where social work graduates leave with minimal debt despite lower starting earnings. For families already stretched thin—and 70% of students here receive Pell grants—that debt difference matters enormously.

If your child is committed to social work in Puerto Rico, this program delivers middle-of-the-pack outcomes with above-average debt. The earnings trajectory is encouraging, but you'd need to plan carefully for those first few years when loan payments will consume a significant chunk of take-home pay. UPR's lower-debt option deserves serious consideration, even if initial earnings start somewhat lower.