Head-to-head · 2026
University of Puerto Rico vs University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
Compare average net price ($8,484 at University of Puerto Rico; $9,175 at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras), ROI score (10.14 vs 9.73), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($34,409 vs $35,723), and admissions selectivity (35.3% acceptance at University of Puerto Rico; 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 | University of Puerto Rico | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.14 ✓ | 9.73 |
| Avg net price | $8,484 ✓ | $9,175 |
| 4-year avg net price | $33,936 ✓ | $36,700 |
| In-state tuition | $6,284 | $5,354 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,284 | $5,354 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $34,409 | $35,723 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 35.3% | 54.6% |
| Graduation rate | 37.1% | 50.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 77.8% ✓ | 77.2% |
| Median debt | $5,500 | $5,500 |
| Enrollment | 2,851 | 8,572 |
| Ownership | Public | 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 | University of Puerto Rico | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,035 ✓ | $8,018 |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,432 | $8,553 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,088 | $11,002 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $11,091 ✓ | $11,925 |
| Family income $110k+ | $11,101 ✓ | $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 | University of Puerto Rico | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | 11.5% | 9.1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 11.2% | 5% |
| Marketing | 9.4% | 4.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 10.2% | 3.3% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 9.4% | 1.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8% | 1.6% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 5.1% | 2.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Puerto Rico reports the lower average net price by $691 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $2,764 difference over four years ($33,936 vs $36,700).
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras reports $1,314 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($35,723 vs $34,409). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 77.8% at University of Puerto Rico and 77.2% at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras. Median federal debt among completers is $5,500 vs $5,500, respectively.
7 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
University of Puerto Rico vs University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Puerto Rico is cheaper — average net price $8,484 per year vs $9,175 at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras. The annual difference of $691 adds up to about $2,764 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 $34,409 at University of Puerto Rico. The gap in the federal data is $1,314. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Puerto Rico is more selective at 35.3% acceptance vs 54.6% at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras.
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.