Animal Sciences at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

At $14,123 in first-year earnings, UPR-Mayaguez's Animal Sciences program starts graduates at levels that would be alarming in most contexts—placing in just the 5th percentile nationally. But Puerto Rico's economic reality tells a different story. There are no other Animal Sciences programs in PR to compare against, and with just $7,125 in typical debt (versus $22,148 nationally), graduates face monthly loan payments under $80. That's manageable even on the initial modest salary, and the 112% earnings jump to nearly $30,000 by year four suggests the degree provides a real trajectory in the local agricultural sector.

The program serves a predominantly low-income student body (65% receive Pell grants) and delivers one of the lowest debt loads in the country for this field. For families considering the mainland alternative, the calculation shifts dramatically: comparable programs elsewhere would saddle students with three times the debt while competing in different job markets. If your child plans to work in Puerto Rico's agricultural industry and this is their genuine career interest, the numbers work—low debt means the program pays for itself even with below-average national earnings.

The real question is geography. If mainland relocation is the plan post-graduation, these earnings won't compete well with the $34,000+ that Animal Sciences graduates typically earn elsewhere, and the credential may not transfer its value across labor markets.