Head-to-head · 2026
Caribbean University-Ponce vs University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
Compare average net price ($4,964 at Caribbean University-Ponce; $9,175 at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras), ROI score (11.50 vs 9.73), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($22,842 vs $35,723), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Caribbean University-Ponce; 54.6% at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Caribbean University-Ponce | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.50 ✓ | 9.73 |
| Avg net price | $4,964 ✓ | $9,175 |
| 4-year avg net price | $19,856 ✓ | $36,700 |
| In-state tuition | $8,844 | $5,354 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,844 | $5,354 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $22,842 | $35,723 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 54.6% |
| Graduation rate | 36.7% | 50.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 76% | 77.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $5,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 414 | 8,572 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Caribbean University-Ponce | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | — | $8,018 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,964 ✓ | $8,553 |
| Family income $48–75k | — | $11,002 |
| Family income $75–110k | — | $11,925 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $13,018 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Caribbean University-Ponce | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 9.7% | 4.1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.9% | 5% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 6.8% | 1% |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 3.9% | 2.8% |
| Marketing | 1% | 4.3% |
| Philosophy | 3.9% | 0.5% |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 2.9% | 1% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 1.9% | 1.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Caribbean University-Ponce reports the lower average net price by $4,211 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $16,844 difference over four years ($19,856 vs $36,700).
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras reports $12,881 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($35,723 vs $22,842). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 76% at Caribbean University-Ponce and 77.2% at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras. Median federal debt among completers is $10,500 vs $5,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Caribbean University-Ponce vs University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Caribbean University-Ponce is cheaper — average net price $4,964 per year vs $9,175 at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras. The annual difference of $4,211 adds up to about $16,844 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $35,723 vs $22,842 at Caribbean University-Ponce. The gap in the federal data is $12,881. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.