Home Schools Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce Nursing
Health Professions · Nursing Rank #963 of 990

Nursingat Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce

Graduates earn $12,033/yr in their first year — about 84.0% below the national Nursing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $550K; scenarios range from $519K to $550K depending on AI disruption.

Ponce, PR Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
41 AVERAGE
41
Optimistic
39
Pessimistic
Earnings
$12,033
1-year post-graduation
ROI
13.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$550K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
43% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce

The earnings data for this nursing program reflect the specific economic realities of the Puerto Rico labor market. While nursing is a universally vital profession, wages on the island are significantly influenced by a lower cost of living and the local healthcare system's structure, which doesn't support the same salary levels as the mainland U.S. Graduates typically find roles in local hospitals and clinics, such as those in the Ponce metropolitan area, where compensation aligns with the regional economy.

If your career aspirations include the higher salaries associated with advanced roles like nurse anesthetists or practitioners, or if you envision working in mainland U.S. healthcare systems, you'll need to factor in relocation and potential additional certifications. This program offers a strong foundation for local practice and community impact. Consider your long-term geographic plans carefully; a degree here provides excellent caregiving skills, but achieving higher earning potential often means looking beyond the island's borders.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$519K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple20.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$550K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score41/100
Earnings Multiple21.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$550K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score41/100
Earnings Multiple21.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Nursing graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Nurse anesthetists
+8.6% 10-yr growth · 2,700 openings/yr
$223,210/yr
Low
2
Nurse practitioners
+40.1% 10-yr growth · 29,500 openings/yr
$129,210/yr
Moderate
3
Nurse midwives
+11.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$128,790/yr
Moderate
4
Medical and health services managers
+23.2% 10-yr growth · 62,100 openings/yr
$117,960/yr
Moderate
5
Registered nurses
+4.9% 10-yr growth · 189,100 openings/yr
$93,600/yr
Moderate
6
Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary
+16.8% 10-yr growth · 8,600 openings/yr
$79,940/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Nursing

How Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Sonoma State University
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$126K
1-yr earn
39.1x
ROI
California State University-East Bay
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$124K
1-yr earn
56.0x
ROI
Samuel Merritt University
CA · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$119K
1-yr earn
California State University-Stanislaus
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$119K
1-yr earn
38.2x
ROI
Pacific Union College
CA · Private nonprofit
82
DW Score
$119K
1-yr earn
8.9x
ROI
Also at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce

Other top programs at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Nursing offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

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FAQ

Frequently asked about Nursing at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce

How does Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce's Nursing program score?

This program scores 41/100 — on the lower end for Nursing. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce Nursing graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.6x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Nursing careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 39% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Nursing earnings lower at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce?

Lower starting pay at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.