Industrial Engineering at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

UPR-Mayaguez's industrial engineering program costs remarkably little—just $9,500 in median debt, placing it in the 5th percentile nationally for low debt—but the earnings tell a more complicated story. Starting salaries lag far behind the national median ($45,322 vs. $74,709), landing this program in just the 5th percentile nationally. However, within Puerto Rico's industrial engineering landscape, these graduates rank in the 60th percentile, meaning they're earning above the local median. The 40% earnings jump from year one to year four ($45,322 to $63,283) is substantial and suggests graduates gain momentum as they advance in their careers.

The real question is geographic: if your child plans to work in Puerto Rico, this represents solid value with minimal debt and above-average local earning potential. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21 means graduates owe less than three months of their first year's salary, making repayment manageable even with the lower starting wages. But if they're targeting mainland opportunities where industrial engineers command significantly higher salaries, they may find themselves competing at a disadvantage despite their degree being a fraction of the cost.

For families prioritizing affordability and planning to stay in Puerto Rico, this program delivers strong return on investment. For those eyeing mainland careers, the lower debt may not fully compensate for the substantial earnings gap with graduates from higher-ranked programs.