Human Resources Management and Services at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

The fourth-year earnings of $31,997 tell a different story than the estimated first-year figure of $50,361 based on national programs. This dramatic reversal—where graduates appear to earn significantly less after four years than one—reflects Puerto Rico's distinct labor market rather than career progression. Most HR bachelor's programs nationally produce first-year earnings around $50,000, but the local economy operates on a fundamentally different wage scale, making those comparisons misleading for planning purposes.

The $9,000 debt load is genuinely manageable and ranks in the 95th percentile nationally—among the lowest debt you'll find for this degree. With two-thirds of students receiving Pell grants, UPR-Mayaguez clearly serves students who need affordable access to four-year degrees. The debt picture is solid. The earnings uncertainty is the challenge: if actual outcomes track closer to that $32,000 figure, you're looking at careers starting around $2,700 monthly before taxes. That works in Puerto Rico's economy, but it's important to understand this degree won't command mainland-typical HR salaries if your child plans to relocate.

For families planning to stay in Puerto Rico, this represents low-cost access to professional credentials at a respected public university. If mainland employment is the goal, recognize that you're working with estimated benchmarks that may not reflect what this specific program delivers in a very different economic context.