2026 Best Colleges for the Money (No Aid) in the Outlying Areas Region
Looking for the best colleges for the money in the Outlying Areas Region? Our ranking highlights 43 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. This is our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 43 schools to compile this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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Your Choice of School Matters
We analyzed 43 schools in the Outlying Areas Region to determine which deliver the best value. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
Our Methodology
To determine a school’s value, we first add up average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). But a school that delivers value must also be a great school overall. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. Read more about our methodology.
Customize Your Rankings
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Top 25 Best Colleges for the Money in the Outlying Areas Region
Explore the best values below:
Leading the list is Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian, our #1 best value in the Outlying Areas Region. Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian is a private not-for-profit school based in San Sebastian, PR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,050, compared with $14,125 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $10,669. Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian alumni report median earnings of $22,844 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Out of the 43 schools in the Outlying Areas Region in this year's value ranking, Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan landed the #2 spot. Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan is a private not-for-profit school based in San Juan, PR. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,125. Students borrow a median of $10,669 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $22,844 ten years after entry. Set against $10,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 61% of those who apply are admitted.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #3 on this year's best-value ranking in the Outlying Areas Region. Set in San Juan, PR, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,324. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras students take on a median of $5,673 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,723 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
You'll get strong value at National University College Bayamon, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Bayamon, PR, National University College Bayamon is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,723, with out-of-state students paying around $13,886. Typical student debt is $14,583. Graduates go on to earn a median of $24,785 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bayamon Central University earned it the #5 place in the Outlying Areas Region. Based in Bayamón, PR, Bayamon Central University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,986 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt is $12,125. Median earnings reach $25,021 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in San Juan, PR, Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,370, compared with $3,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music alumni report median earnings of $19,474 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of The Virgin Islands came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Based in Charlotte Amalie, VI, University Of The Virgin Islands is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,957 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,557 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $20,300. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,681 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Virgin Islands has an acceptance rate of 99%.
University Of Puerto Rico Ponce landed the #8 spot for value in the Outlying Areas Region this year. Set in Ponce, PR, University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,333 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $31,394. Set against $5,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 52% of those who apply are admitted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Based in Barranquitas, PR, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,742. Typical student debt is $4,217. Graduates go on to earn a median of $23,204 ten years after entry. Set against $4,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas admits about 86% of applicants.
Universidad Metropolitana came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in San Juan, PR, Universidad Metropolitana is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Universidad Metropolitana students take on a median of $15,074 in debt. Median earnings reach $24,490 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,074 median debt.
Universidad Del Este offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Carolina, PR, Universidad Del Este is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,750. Universidad Del Este students take on a median of $15,167 in debt. Universidad Del Este alumni report median earnings of $24,328 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,167 median debt.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Aguadilla, PR, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,742. Students borrow a median of $7,269 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $24,776 ten years out. Set against $7,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla has an acceptance rate of 42%.
Edp University Of Puerto Rico Manati ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Edp University Of Puerto Rico Manati is a private not-for-profit school based in Manati, PR. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,050, compared with $14,125 for out-of-state students. Edp University Of Puerto Rico Manati students take on a median of $11,575 in debt. Median earnings reach $22,844 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,575 median debt. About 68% of those who apply are admitted.
Universidad Del Turabo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Universidad Del Turabo is a private not-for-profit school based in Gurabo, PR. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,155 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $26,223 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,155 median debt.
Universidad Central Del Caribe landed the #15 spot for value in the Outlying Areas Region this year. Located in Bayamon, PR, Universidad Central Del Caribe is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,304, compared with $7,313 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $31,468 ten years out. Universidad Central Del Caribe admits about 60% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo placed #16 among the best values in the Outlying Areas Region. Located in Arecibo, PR, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Graduates carry a median of $9,117 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $24,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo admits about 38% of applicants.
Dewey University Manati landed the #17 spot for value in the Outlying Areas Region this year. Based in Manati, PR, Dewey University Manati is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,630. Students borrow a median of $4,758 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $19,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla placed #18 among the best values in the Outlying Areas Region. This public school is set in Aguadilla, PR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,924. Typical student debt is $6,250. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $27,997. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt. About 81% of those who apply are admitted.
Edp University Of Puerto Rico Villalba ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Edp University Of Puerto Rico Villalba is a private not-for-profit school based in Villalba, PR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $14,125. The median program debt is $12,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $22,844 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 76% of those who apply are admitted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Mercedita, PR, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce students take on a median of $7,869 in debt. Median earnings reach $26,721 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
John Dewey College University Division ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Hato Rey, PR, John Dewey College University Division is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,180. Typical student debt is $4,808. Median earnings reach $19,761 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlantic College placed #22 among the best values in the Outlying Areas Region. Atlantic College is a private not-for-profit school based in Guaynabo, PR. Students from in state pay about $8,280 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $5,286 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,272 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $5,286 median debt.
Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas is a private not-for-profit school based in Mayaguez, PR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,350. Typical student debt is $25,032. Graduates go on to earn a median of $28,465 ten years after entry. Set against $25,032 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas admits about 100% of applicants.
Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mayaguez, PR. Students from in state pay about $6,550 in tuition and fees. The median program debt is $16,193. Graduates go on to earn a median of $24,908 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas placed #25 among the best values in the Outlying Areas Region. Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas is a private for-profit school based in Caguas, PR. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $5,887 to complete their program here. Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas alumni report median earnings of $23,134 a decade after entry. Set against $5,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 20% Best Value Schools in the Outlying Areas Region
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
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Notes and References
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: Region · 43 schools evaluated.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
