2026 Best Colleges for the Money (No Aid) in Puerto Rico
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Puerto Rico? This list ranks 29 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.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 29 schools to produce this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In This Year’s Value Report:
Finding Your Best College Match
After analyzing 29 schools in Puerto Rico to find which ones offer the best value. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
Our Methodology
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
The schools that score best offer the strongest return on your investment. View our full ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Narrow your list 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 Puerto Rico
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Colegio Universitario De San Juan earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Puerto Rico. This public school is set in San Juan, PR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,340. Colegio Universitario De San Juan alumni report median earnings of $26,510 a decade after entry. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian came in at #2 on this year's best-value ranking in Puerto Rico. Located in San Sebastian, PR, Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $22,844. That is a strong return on a $10,669 median debt. About 96% of those who apply are admitted.
Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan came in at #3 on this year's best-value ranking in Puerto Rico. Based in San Juan, PR, Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, compared with $14,125 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $10,669. Median earnings reach $22,844 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Bayamon Central University came in at #4 on this year's best-value ranking in Puerto Rico. Located in Bayamón, PR, Bayamon Central University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,986. Bayamon Central University students take on a median of $12,125 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,021 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Out of the 29 schools in Puerto Rico in this year's value ranking, National University College Bayamon landed the #5 spot. Located in Bayamon, PR, National University College Bayamon is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,723, with out-of-state students paying around $13,886. National University College Bayamon students take on a median of $14,583 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $24,785 ten years after entry. Set against $14,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Based in San Juan, PR, Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,850. The median program debt is $12,250. Median earnings reach $19,474 ten years out. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico placed #7 among the best values in Puerto Rico. Based in San Juan, PR, Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,902, compared with $8,502 for out-of-state students. Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico alumni report median earnings of $21,790 a decade after entry. Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico has an acceptance rate of 100%.
Icpr Junior College General Institutional offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Hato Rey, PR, Icpr Junior College General Institutional is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664. Median earnings reach $18,694 ten years out.
Icpr Junior College Arecibo came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Located in Arecibo, PR, Icpr Junior College Arecibo is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664. Icpr Junior College Arecibo alumni report median earnings of $18,694 a decade after entry.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in San Juan, PR, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. The median program debt is $5,673. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,723. That is a strong return on a $5,673 median debt. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.
Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Manati offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Manati, PR, Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Manati is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,900. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $26,293. About 93% of those who apply are admitted.
Icpr Junior College Mayaguez ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Mayaguez, PR, Icpr Junior College Mayaguez is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $18,694.
Icpr Junior College Manati offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Manati, PR, Icpr Junior College Manati is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $18,694.
Atenas College landed the #14 spot for value in Puerto Rico this year. Located in Manati, PR, Atenas College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,954 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt is $5,701. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $20,231. That is a strong return on a $5,701 median debt.
Automeca Technical College Ponce ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This private for-profit school is set in Ponce, PR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,095. The median program debt is $3,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $24,632 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Bayamon, PR, Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,796. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $25,707.
Automeca Technical College Bayamon ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Bayamon, PR, Automeca Technical College Bayamon is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,095. Graduates carry a median of $3,500 in student loans. Automeca Technical College Bayamon alumni report median earnings of $24,632 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Automeca Technical College Aguadilla offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Set in Aguadilla, PR, Automeca Technical College Aguadilla is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,095. The median program debt is $3,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $24,632 ten years after entry. Set against $3,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Caribbean University Bayamon placed #19 among the best values in Puerto Rico. Set in Bayamon, PR, Caribbean University Bayamon is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,844. Typical student debt is $12,628. Median earnings reach $22,842 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,628 median debt.
Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Guayama ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Guayama is a public school based in Guayama, PR. Students from in state pay about $1,608 in tuition and fees. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $26,293. Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Guayama has an acceptance rate of 79%.
Automeca Technical College Caguas placed #21 among the best values in Puerto Rico. Automeca Technical College Caguas is a private for-profit school based in Caguas, PR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,095. The median program debt is $3,500. Median earnings reach $24,632 ten years out. Set against $3,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje landed the #22 spot for value in Puerto Rico this year. This public school is set in Bayamon, PR. In-state tuition and fees average $3,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $26,293 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Emmas Beauty Academy Mayaguez ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Mayaguez, PR, Emmas Beauty Academy Mayaguez is a private for-profit institution. The median program debt is $3,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $14,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dewey University Carolina came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Set in Carolina, PR, Dewey University Carolina is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,630. Students borrow a median of $5,825 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $19,761 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $5,825 median debt.
Caribbean University Vega Baja placed #25 among the best values in Puerto Rico. Caribbean University Vega Baja is a private not-for-profit school based in Vega Baja, PR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,844. Typical student debt is $11,062. Caribbean University Vega Baja alumni report median earnings of $22,842 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Schools in Puerto Rico
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
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Notes and References
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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: State · 29 schools evaluated.
References
See our data sources and methodologies.