Colleges in Puerto Rico: Full List of 31 Schools
Writer
Editor
Writer
Editor
www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Turn Your Dreams Into Reality
Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.
Puerto Rico offers many educational opportunities for English- and Spanish-speaking students. Colleges in Puerto Rico charge lower tuition rates than many other schools in the U.S., and some admit 100% of applicants.
Students who attend a university in Puerto Rico can earn a degree from an accredited institution while taking advantage of the island's relatively low cost of living, which falls well below the national U.S. average.
Recent college graduates can work toward well-paying management jobs in Puerto Rico across a variety of fields, including engineering, advertising, and computer and information systems.
3 Popular Colleges in Puerto Rico
Here are some of the most popular colleges in Puerto Rico you can attend. We chose these based on factors like overall reputation, academic quality, and number of applicants.
1. Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon
- Avg. Annual Net Price: $9,205
- Acceptance Rate: 34%
- Total Student Enrollment: 3,820
Inter Bayamon offers bachelor's degrees in biology, industrial engineering, and computer science. You may also enroll in an associate degree or certificate program. Online learners use Blackboard to complete assignments.
Inter Bayamon's focus on the sciences has inspired students to go above and beyond. In 2021, engineering students produced Puerto Rico's first artificial satellite.
The university features a robust sports program and awards athletic scholarships. This advantage can help you offset the school's cost of attendance.
2. Universidad del Sagrado Corazon
- Avg. Annual Net Price: $13,526
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Total Student Enrollment: 4,224
Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), Sagrado offers six academic departments that include nursing, communication, and business administration bachelor's. The university's special projects let you gain hands-on experience in creative technologies, entrepreneurship, and other subjects.
Sagrado promotes students' long-term success through Sagrado Careers, where you can sign up for mock interviews, review the latest jobs, and attend career fairs. If you're interested in joining the Peace Corps after graduation, you can train for your posting while still in school.
3. University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
- Avg. Annual Net Price: $9,119
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Total Student Enrollment: 12,037
The University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, holds MSCHE accreditation. You can choose from over 60 bachelor's degrees and many graduate programs. Students maintain satisfactory academic progress by earning a minimum GPA of 2.5-3.25, depending on the school and major.
Some of Rio Piedras's student services include an employment office, daycare center, and peer counseling program. The university prides itself on being the only University of Puerto Rico member institution to offer student housing.
Featured Online Programs
List of All Colleges in Puerto Rico
We've created a complete list of all four-year nonprofit universities in Puerto Rico. You can use the table below to compare data on student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants. Colleges with less than 500 students enrolled were not included.
The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). All enrollment data is from 2021, while the data for net price, acceptance rate, and number of applicants is from 2022-2023.
| School | Total Student Enrollment | Avg. Annual Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Number of Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albizu University, San Juan | 2,380 | $10,499 | 100% | 205 |
| Atlantic University College | 1,591 | $6,133 | 100% | N/A |
| Caribbean University, Bayamon | 849 | $6,049 | 100% | N/A |
| Colegio Universitario de San Juan | 675 | $2,370 | 98% | 65 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla | 3,275 | $8,426 | 46% | 1,690 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo | 3,069 | $8,794 | 33% | 1,642 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Barranquitas | 1,216 | $7,696 | 68% | 692 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon | 3,892 | $9,205 | 34% | 2,671 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Fajardo | 1,424 | $8,929 | 45% | 739 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Guayama | 1,632 | $8,860 | 47% | 675 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Metro | 5,774 | $9,551 | 47% | 2,715 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Ponce | 3,448 | $8,637 | 53% | 1,200 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico, San German | 3,299 | $8,991 | 40% | 1,713 |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez | 785 | $8,521 | 100% | 433 |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce | 6,175 | $10,283 | 95% | 2,622 |
| Universidad Adventista de las Antillas | 932 | $6,851 | 83% | 195 |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Carolina Campus | 6,604 | $6,942 | 100% | N/A |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Cupey Campus | 7,721 | $7,193 | 100% | N/A |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Gurabo Campus | 11,100 | $6,577 | 100% | N/A |
| Universidad Central de Bayamon | 953 | $4,297 | 80% | 112 |
| Universidad del Sagrado Corazon | 4,110 | $13,526 | 55% | 3,413 |
| Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico | 4,252 | $16,043 | 100% | N/A |
| University of Puerto Rico at Ponce | 2,262 | $5,006 | 54% | 1,434 |
| University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla | 2,199 | $6,095 | 77% | 678 |
| University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo | 3,117 | $9,444 | 60% | 1,474 |
| University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon | 3,326 | $7,538 | 93% | 930 |
| University of Puerto Rico, Carolina | 2,367 | $13,605 | 55% | 1,752 |
| University of Puerto Rico, Cayey | 2,559 | $6,726 | 49% | 1,243 |
| University of Puerto Rico, Humacao | 2,848 | $13,158 | 52% | 1,295 |
| University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez | 12,126 | $10,657 | 54% | 4,322 |
| University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras | 13,226 | $9,119 | 52% | 4,859 |
Cost of Living in Puerto Rico
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the median monthly rent in Puerto Rico barely exceeded $500 in 2017-2021 — less than half the median rent for the U.S. as a whole during the same time. Puerto Ricans also paid much less for daily essentials than those in the U.S. on average.
The lower cost of living makes researching colleges in Puerto Rico a wise choice if you need to save money on your education, whether you're based in Puerto Rico already or the broader U.S.
Highest-Paying Jobs in Puerto Rico
When it comes to jobs requiring a bachelor's degree, management positions dominate the highest-paying jobs in Puerto Rico, a trend typical in the U.S.
Managers in different fields, like advertising and engineering, can earn an average annual salary of around $100,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That said, you'll typically need several years of relevant work experience to qualify for these positions and salaries.
Bachelor's degrees in fields like marketing, communication, business, and computer and information systems can help you get there.
| Job | Average Annual Salary (May 2022) |
|---|---|
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $122,700 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $110,530 |
| Marketing Managers | $99,640 |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | $95,640 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $88,430 |
| Chemical Engineers | $87,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Puerto Rico
Does Puerto Rico have good universities?
A 2021 report from Excelencia in Education ranks the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras; the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez; and National University College as the top-three bachelor's degree-granting institutions on the island. Excelencia in Education used U.S. Department of Education and NCES data to make its determinations.
This data also shows that universities in Puerto Rico have improved student outcomes significantly since 1990.
What is the most prestigious college in Puerto Rico?
With 120 years of history and an enrollment of more than 11,000 students, the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, ranks highest among all universities in Puerto Rico. Here, you can select from more than 100 degrees, and the school boasts up-to-date facilities and equipment.
The university's accreditation also means you can transfer credits you earn here to other U.S. schools.
Keep other factors besides prestige in mind when researching Puerto Rico colleges. Another school may offer programs better aligned with your academic needs and career goals.
Can a U.S. citizen go to college in Puerto Rico?
Colleges in Puerto Rico do not consider U.S. citizens international students. As a result, you do not need any special documentation or permission to apply. In fact, Puerto Ricans hold U.S. citizenship as a result of the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917.
Despite fewer barriers to entry for U.S. citizens, pay close attention to Puerto Rico colleges' application requirements. You may need Spanish language fluency to qualify for some programs.
