Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

The $12,291 first-year earnings look alarming until you understand the Puerto Rico nursing market, where this program actually lands at the state's 25th percentile—below median but not bottom-tier. The dramatic jump to $35,712 by year four suggests many graduates either pursue additional credentials, transition to better-paying facilities, or migrate to mainland positions where their UPR-Mayaguez degree carries weight. That's more than double the state median and closer to what nursing programs deliver in other markets, though still well below the $75,000 typical for bachelor's-prepared nurses nationally.

The $7,500 debt load is this program's clearest advantage. While earnings lag significantly behind Puerto Rico's top nursing programs—Universidad del Sagrado Corazon graduates earn $36,836 in year one—UPR-Mayaguez students graduate with roughly half the typical debt for nursing degrees in Puerto Rico. For families where minimizing borrowing is paramount, especially given the uncertain first-year earnings, this makes the program considerably less risky than alternatives.

The core question is whether your student plans to stay in Puerto Rico's challenging healthcare job market or use this degree as a stepping stone. If mainland relocation is part of the plan within a few years, the low debt and eventual earnings growth make sense. If staying local long-term, expect earnings that trail other Puerto Rico nursing programs by $10,000-$15,000 annually even after the initial catch-up period.