Accounting at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

UPR-Mayaguez's accounting program starts with exceptionally low first-year earnings—just $19,424, placing it in the bottom 5% nationally and below the median even among Puerto Rico schools. That initial figure is concerning on its face, but the trajectory tells a different story. By year four, graduates are earning $34,417, a 77% jump that suggests real career progression. Still, this puts them about $10,000 behind the Puerto Rico median for accounting programs and roughly $19,000 below the national benchmark.

The one significant advantage here is cost: at $8,000 in median debt, this program costs far less than the typical accounting degree (national median: $25,000), making the debt-to-earnings ratio quite manageable even with those low initial salaries. For families prioritizing minimal debt—particularly those in the 65% of students here receiving Pell grants—this keeps financial risk contained. However, stronger-performing programs in Puerto Rico, like the EDP University campuses where graduates earn around $31,700, suggest better earning outcomes are achievable in-state.

The practical reality is that graduates should expect a challenging first few years financially, but career advancement appears typical for the field. If your child is debt-averse and willing to navigate those early lean years, this could work. But if maximizing earning potential is the priority, other Puerto Rico options deliver notably better returns.