Located in the Caribbean Sea, close to Miami, Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory known for its Caribbean flavor and culture, which is often closely connected to Latin America. The island is known for its stunning beaches, famous singers such as Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, and Ricky Martin, and delicious foods and products, including rum, piña coladas, avocados, and seafood.
Although it is a small territory, Puerto Rico has about 3.18 million residents and a higher education system that follows the U.S. model. The island has dozens of postsecondary institutions, including public universities, private universities, specialized institutions, and colleges with multiple campuses.
Because Puerto Rican universities generally follow the American model of education, bachelor’s degree programs commonly last four years, master’s degree programs often last one to two years, and doctoral or professional degree programs vary by field and institution.
The most important public university system in Puerto Rico is the University of Puerto Rico, which has 11 campuses across the island. In this article, we will cover some of the most affordable universities in Puerto Rico for international students.
Affordable Schools in Puerto Rico for International Students
1. Antillean Adventist University (UAA)
Antillean Adventist University, known in Spanish as Universidad Adventista de las Antillas, developed from the work of Adventist educational institutions in the Caribbean, including Antillean College, which was originally located in Cuba.
Located in the municipality of Mayagüez, this affordable university in Puerto Rico offers programs in areas such as science and technology, business administration, theology and music, nursing and health sciences, and education. Most programs are taught in Spanish, so international students should confirm the language of instruction for their chosen program before applying.
UAA provides information for international students, especially related to legal procedures. International nonresident students must make a $4,000 deposit before the university issues the Form I-20 needed for an F-1 student visa. After the first year, $500 is credited to the student account each semester. If the student does not receive a visa, the deposit is refunded.
For admissions, new students must submit College Board, SAT, or ACT results for placement purposes. Students who do not have satisfactory standardized test results, including many international students, may need to take UAA placement tests in English, Spanish, and mathematics. The current admission fee is $20.
Undergraduate costs are calculated by semester. A 15-credit semester is listed at $3,150 in tuition, and UAA estimates a total semester cost of $6,560 when tuition, fees, books, medical plan, lodging, and a minimum cafeteria charge are included. Student housing is listed at $800 per semester.
2. Atlantic University College (AUC)
Atlantic University, formerly known as Atlantic University College, began its academic programs in 1983 and specializes in digital arts, design, technology, and creative industries.
This affordable university in Puerto Rico offers bachelor’s degree programs in areas such as digital animation, digital cinematography, digital graphic design, digital photography, web development, video game art and design, programming, business administration, information systems, and cybersecurity. It also offers master’s degree programs in digital graphic design, interactive technologies programming, and digital photography. Master’s programs are available in person or 100% online.
Regarding admissions, undergraduate applicants must complete the admission application, submit evidence of completed secondary studies, and pay a $45 admission fee. Graduate admission currently lists a $65 admission fee. Some programs have additional requirements. For example, video game development programs require a minimum GPA of 2.5, and certain programs require an interview, a portfolio or work samples, and, for the programming concentration, an exam.
Regarding tuition, current costs are listed per credit. Undergraduate credits cost $180, and graduate credits cost $212. The university also publishes program-specific cost estimates, so students should review the cost page for the exact program they plan to study.
3. Central University of the Caribbean (UCC)
The Central University of the Caribbean (UCC), or Universidad Central del Caribe, traces its roots to the Cayey School of Medicine, which opened in 1976. By 1978, the institution had developed its Radiologic Technology Program and changed its name to Universidad Central del Caribe. Since 1990, its facilities have been located on one campus in Bayamón.
Besides its School of Medicine, UCC offers programs in medical imaging and radiologic technology, substance abuse counseling, chiropractic, and biomedical sciences. Check the academics and admissions sections to learn more.
Admissions depend on the program you want to pursue. For the medicine program, prospective students apply through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), complete UCC’s secondary application, and pay a $200 nonrefundable processing fee. Applicants must have at least 90 credits from an accredited college or university, a general GPA and science GPA of 3.00 or higher, MCAT scores of 494 or above, and full bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English. Visit the School of Medicine admission requirements for more details.
Tuition fees depend on the program. For the 2025-2026 academic year, UCC lists School of Medicine tuition at $35,963 per year for residents and $48,000 per year for nonresidents. The Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences lists tuition at $345 per credit. Students should review each program’s current fee structure before applying.
4. Herbert Fletcher University (HFU)
Herbert Fletcher University (HFU) is an online distance-learning institution in Puerto Rico. The institution is authorized by the Puerto Rico Council of Education under certification number 2016-027 and offers its programs online.
This affordable Puerto Rican university offers two master’s programs: a Master of Arts in Online Instructional Design and a Master of Arts in Church Administration and Leadership.
Regarding admissions, applicants should complete the online application process and submit the required documents. The application fee is $50.
Programs are divided into trimesters. Tuition fees depend on the number of credits you take. Each credit costs $143.31, and students also pay a registration fee of $168.30 each trimester. To learn more, contact HFU or check its FAQ section.
5. Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR)
The next university on our list of affordable universities in Puerto Rico is the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR), a private nonprofit institution founded in September 1966. Its main campus is in San Juan, and it also has campuses in Miami and Orlando, Florida.
PUPR specializes in areas such as architecture, engineering, land surveying, computer science, and business administration. It offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates and microcredentials.
Admission requirements vary by student type. Freshman applicants generally need a GPA of 2.50 or higher, an official high school transcript, College Board or equivalent entrance exam results, an immunization certificate if they are under 21, and a $30 application fee. International high school applicants must submit an application, official academic records with translations, proof of ability to cover expenses, an immunization certificate if under 21, and a $50 application fee. International GPA requirements are 2.50 for engineering and architecture programs and 2.00 for land surveying and business administration.
PUPR has a career and internship program to help students connect with employment opportunities. It also lists student residences among its student services.
Tuition fees are calculated per credit and vary by program. For the San Juan campus in fiscal year 2026-2027, listed tuition ranges from $225 per credit for associate and education undergraduate courses to $535 per credit for doctoral courses. Other examples include $290 per credit for engineering, $295 for architecture, $235 for business administration, and $305 for graduate courses. PUPR also has a net price calculator to help students estimate costs. If you need financial aid, the university provides information about aid options, including scholarships, loans, and work programs.
6. Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU)
Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) specializes in health sciences and has locations in Puerto Rico, Missouri, and the British Virgin Islands. In Puerto Rico, it serves students through its Ponce campus and San Juan Learning Center.
PHSU offers programs in areas such as medicine, nursing, dental medicine, public health, biomedical sciences, clinical psychology, medical sciences, school psychology, family and couples therapy, and neuroscience of learning. Visit the academics section to learn more about each program.
Admissions vary by program, and applicants may need to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement or essay, test scores such as the MCAT, GRE, or TOEFL when required, a background check or certificate of no penal record, and a nonrefundable application fee. Applicants should review the program page for the exact requirements.
Tuition and costs depend on the program, campus, year of study, and residency status. For 2026-2027, the Doctor of Medicine program at the Ponce campus lists tuition at $48,674 per year for residents and $75,960 per year for nonresidents. For the Master of Public Health, tuition is listed at $11,600 in year one, $800 in summer, and $9,600 in year two for residents, while nonresidents pay $15,515 in year one, $1,070 in summer, and $10,165 in year two. For the Doctor of Public Health in Epidemiology, resident tuition is listed at $14,420 in year one, $13,390 in year two, and $6,415 in year three, while nonresident tuition is $16,800, $15,600, and $7,180, respectively.
PHSU’s health professional programs can be significantly more expensive than other options on this list. Students should review the current cost of attendance page and confirm their total charges directly with the university before applying. If you need financial aid, PHSU provides information about financial aid and scholarships.
7. University of the Sacred Heart (USC)
Our last university in our list of affordable universities in Puerto Rico for international students is the University of the Sacred Heart, officially known as Universidad del Sagrado Corazón or Sagrado. It is a private university in San Juan and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Sagrado offers associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, post-baccalaureate certificates, and master’s degrees in areas such as health and natural sciences, business, communication, arts, design and creative industries, and multidisciplinary studies. Visit its catalog to get more information about undergraduate and graduate programs.
Sagrado has student residences, including residence towers and apartment-style options within the campus perimeter. Current financial standards list residence prices beginning at $1,675 per semester or academic session, depending on the property and type of occupancy.
Visit the admissions page to get information about requirements and how to apply. High school applicants typically need an admission request, an official transcript, College Board, SAT, or ACT results, a vaccination certificate if under 21, and credential verification for international academic records. Sagrado also accepts transfer students and visiting students.
Tuition fees are calculated per credit. For the 2026-2027 academic year, regular undergraduate students pay $230 per credit, regular graduate students pay $285 per credit, and regular doctoral students pay $475 per credit. Undergraduate students also pay a $720 general fee per semester, while graduate students pay a $535 general fee per trimester.
Sagrado also has an estimated cost calculator to help students estimate university expenses. Visit its financial aid section to get information about scholarships, loans, and other assistance.
Tuition and fees in Puerto Rico vary widely by institution and program. Lower-cost undergraduate programs may be charged by the credit, while health professional programs can cost much more. By comparing current university fee pages, using net price calculators, and applying for scholarships or grants, international students can find less expensive study options in Puerto Rico.
We hope that this article on affordable universities in Puerto Rico was helpful. If you are interested, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
