Biology at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

The $10,934 starting salary here is jarring, even by Puerto Rico standards—this ranks in just the 10th percentile statewide, trailing other UPR campuses by $6,000 to $11,000. While biology graduates often pursue additional schooling that delays higher earnings, the four-year mark still shows them earning $29,804, well below what graduates from UPR-Humacao or Bayamon achieve right out of the gate. The 173% earnings growth suggests many do eventually find better opportunities, but that initial earning period represents real financial strain.

The bright spot is the relatively manageable $8,250 debt load, which keeps this program from being a complete financial trap. However, with 65% of students receiving Pell grants, that debt still represents a significant burden for families who likely have minimal resources to supplement early-career earnings. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 looks reasonable on paper, but only because the debt is low—not because the earnings are adequate.

For families considering this program, the question is whether your child plans to immediately pursue graduate or professional school. If they're heading to medical school or a PhD program, those first-year earnings matter less. But if they're planning to work after graduation, other UPR campuses offer substantially better immediate outcomes, and the debt difference is minimal. Unless Mayaguez offers specific research opportunities or faculty connections worth that earning gap, look at the Humacao or Bayamon campuses first.