Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus

This nursing program sits in an unusual position—dramatically outperforming nearly all Puerto Rico nursing schools while earning far below mainland standards. At $35,534 four years out, graduates earn more than double the PR median for nursing programs ($16,742), ranking in the 95th percentile statewide. Yet these same earnings place the program in just the 5th percentile nationally, where the typical nursing graduate earns $74,888.

The economics work very differently in Puerto Rico's healthcare market. With debt of just $12,375—less than half the state median—graduates face manageable payments even at lower wage levels. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 means students can realistically handle their loans, and 26% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests reasonable career progression. The 83% Pell grant rate indicates this program serves students with limited alternatives, many of whom might otherwise struggle to enter nursing at all.

Your evaluation depends entirely on where your child plans to work. If they're committed to practicing in Puerto Rico, this program offers a legitimate path into nursing with minimal debt and strong earnings relative to local options. If they're hoping to eventually relocate to the mainland, understand they'll start their career at roughly half the typical stateside nursing salary. The small sample size means individual outcomes may vary considerably from these medians.