Criminal Justice and Corrections at Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus

At $19,164 in first-year earnings, this program ranks in the bottom 5% nationally for criminal justice degrees—but that comparison misses the crucial context. Within Puerto Rico's job market, graduates here earn 20% more than the territory median for this field and land solidly in the 60th percentile among local programs. The 38% earnings jump by year four suggests graduates are finding their footing in the PR law enforcement and corrections landscape, though $26,396 still falls well short of mainland salaries.

The debt picture requires careful consideration. At $23,509, graduates carry significantly more debt than the PR median of $13,825 for this program, ranking among the highest in the territory. That creates a challenging first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.23—you're borrowing more than you'll initially earn. With 69% of students receiving Pell grants, most families here are already stretching financially, making that debt load particularly concerning even if it's below the national median.

If your child is committed to criminal justice work in Puerto Rico and has limited alternatives, this program performs reasonably well within that specific context. But the combination of heavy debt and modest earnings means graduates will face years of tight budgets. Families should realistically plan for lean post-graduation years and explore whether similar programs like Inter American-Ponce or Metro offer better debt-to-earnings ratios while still providing adequate career preparation.