Head-to-head · 2026
Caribbean University-Vega Baja vs University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
Compare average net price ($5,235 at Caribbean University-Vega Baja; $9,175 at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras), ROI score (10.91 vs 9.73), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($22,842 vs $35,723), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Caribbean University-Vega Baja; 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-Vega Baja | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.91 ✓ | 9.73 |
| Avg net price | $5,235 ✓ | $9,175 |
| 4-year avg net price | $20,940 ✓ | $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 | 50% | 50.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 65% | 77.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $5,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 152 | 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-Vega Baja | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | — | $8,018 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,235 ✓ | $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-Vega Baja | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 14.3% | 1.6% |
| Social Work | 11.4% | 4.1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 5.7% | 5% |
| Marketing | 5.7% | 4.3% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 5.7% | 1.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.9% | 3.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Caribbean University-Vega Baja reports the lower average net price by $3,940 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $15,760 difference over four years ($20,940 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 65% at Caribbean University-Vega Baja and 77.2% at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras. Median federal debt among completers is $10,500 vs $5,500, respectively.
6 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-Vega Baja 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-Vega Baja is cheaper — average net price $5,235 per year vs $9,175 at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras. The annual difference of $3,940 adds up to about $15,760 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-Vega Baja. 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.