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Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR), Arecibo : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico

Set near Puerto Rico's north coast, the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico's Arecibo campus is known for a close-knit, values-centered education. Students get a solid liberal arts foundation alongside career-focused study, guided by faculty who know their names. Resources include modern classrooms and labs, a quiet library, tutoring and advising, counseling, and a chapel that sets a thoughtful tone.

Student life feels welcoming and bilingual, with clubs, service projects, arts events, and intramurals, plus easy access to beaches and a lively town plaza. Career prep shows up in workshops, mentoring, and internships with schools, clinics, nonprofits, and local businesses. And the setting matters: Arecibo's coast and karst landscape often become a living classroom, with community ties that help turn learning into real work.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
Carretera 662 KM 2.3, Arecibo, Puerto Rico, 00614, USA
Website
pucpr.edu
Unit ID
241395

Academic & Institutional

Control
Private non-profit institution (tuition + donations)
Accreditation
MSCHE
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Campus Setting
Located in a small suburb (outside principal city, under 100,000 population)
Carnegie Classification
Doctoral - R3 (Moderate Research)
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$6,238
Tuition $5,520 + Fee $718
Out-of-State
$6,238
Tuition $5,520 + Fee $718
Student Profile
Total Students 647
Undergraduate 273
Graduate/Other 374
Male: 173 Female: 474
Applications
Total Applicants 130
Admitted 111
Enrolled 25
Acceptance: 85.4% Yield: 22.5%
Staff
Total Staff 81
Full-time 47
Part-time 34
Full-time: 58% Part-time: 42%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR), Arecibo offers 18 degree programs across 8 major academic fields, graduating approximately 96 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Biological Sciences (3 programs, 28 graduates), Psychology (2 programs, 27 graduates), Health (3 programs, 21 graduates), Business (3 programs, 6 graduates) and Education (4 programs, 5 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Biological Sciences (3 programs, 28 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biomedical Sciences 23
Bachelor's
26.0102
Biology and Biological Sciences 4
Bachelor's
26.0101
Biotechnology 1
Bachelor's
26.1201
Psychology (2 programs, 27 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Clinical Psychology 23
Master's
Doctorate (R)
42.2801
General Psychology 4
Bachelor's
42.0101
Health (3 programs, 21 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Clinical Social Work 12
Master's
51.1503
Optometric Technician 8
Associate's
51.1802
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant 1
Bachelor's
51.0816
Business (3 programs, 6 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 3
Bachelor's
52.0201
Human Resources Management 2
Master's
52.1001
Accounting and Business Management 1
Bachelor's
52.0305
Education (4 programs, 5 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Educational Leadership and Administration 2
Master's
13.0401
Elementary Education 1
Bachelor's
13.1202
Biology Teacher Education 1
Bachelor's
13.1322
History Teacher Education 1
Bachelor's
13.1328
Liberal Arts (1 programs, 4 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Liberal Arts and Sciences 4
Bachelor's
24.0101
Social Sciences (1 programs, 4 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Criminology 4
Bachelor's
45.0401
Natural Resources (1 programs, 1 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Environmental Science 1
Bachelor's
03.0104

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR), Arecibo.

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Rank
Neither required nor recommended
Secondary School Record
Required
College Preparatory Program
Neither required nor recommended
Recommendations
Neither required nor recommended
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Neither required nor recommended
Personal Statement or Essay
Neither required nor recommended
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
ACT Scores
The ACT is a standardized test for college admissions assessing English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 (composite of all sections).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$9,750
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$9,750
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$6,238
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$6,238
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$8,038 (off-campus)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$3,512
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$6,232 (off-campus)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$8,928
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$6,875
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$6,875
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

12%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$6,281
Avg. Loan
$4,500
Avg. Federal Loan
$4,500
Additional
Students with Any Grant
35
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
4
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
33
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$710
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

39%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
82%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$13,683 – $40,900
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$13,683 (25th %) $40,900 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $24,908
Median Salary After 6 Years
$20,637
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$24,908
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
31.8%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
45.3%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$15,500
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 29.3%
Middle 41.6%
High 31.9%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 32.8%
Independent 28.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR), Arecibo

How much does it cost to attend Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR), Arecibo?

The annual tuition at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR), Arecibo is $6,238 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $9,750 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $8,038 (off-campus) and books and supplies $3,512.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo offer?

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR), Arecibo offers 18 academic programs across 8 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate (Research).

Most popular program areas include:

  • Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (3 programs)
  • Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (2 programs)
  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (3 programs)
  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (3 programs)
  • Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (4 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo?

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR), Arecibo has an 85.4% acceptance rate and a 22.5% yield rate, making it moderately selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 130
  • Students admitted: 111
  • Students enrolled: 25

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo?

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR), Arecibo provides financial aid to 12% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $6,281 and average loans of $4,500.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,885
  • State/Local grants: $514
  • Institutional grants: $710
  • Federal loans: $4,500

The university supports 35 students with grants and 4 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo graduates?

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR), Arecibo graduates earn a median salary of $20,637 after 6 years and $24,908 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $13,683 (25th percentile) to $40,900 (75th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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