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Most selective colleges in Puerto Rico

Updated Federal and Common Data Set numbers, each with its year

The short answer

The most selective four-year colleges in Puerto Rico are Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Fajardo (27% admitted), Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce (34% admitted) and University of Puerto Rico (35% admitted), by acceptance rate.

Selective here means a low acceptance rate: the share of applicants the college admitted. A low rate says how many people a college turns away, not how good a fit it is for you. Each row also shows the average price after grants.

The list (16 of 26)

Four-year colleges in Puerto Rico with 500 or more undergraduates, lowest acceptance rate first. The list shows 16 of the 26 colleges with an acceptance rate on file. Rates come from IPEDS (fall 2024).

  1. Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Fajardo 27% admitted Fajardo, PR · Average price after grants: $9,597 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  2. Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce 34% admitted Mercedita, PR · Average price after grants: $9,683 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  3. University of Puerto Rico 35% admitted Bayamon, PR · Average price after grants: $9,644 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Guayama 36% admitted Guayama, PR · Average price after grants: $11,592 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo 38% admitted Arecibo, PR · Average price after grants: $10,910 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon 40% admitted Bayamon, PR · Average price after grants: $9,597 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla 42% admitted Aguadilla, PR · Average price after grants: $9,252 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San German 43% admitted San German, PR · Average price after grants: $11,050 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  9. University of Puerto Rico at Ponce 53% admitted Ponce, PR · Average price after grants: $10,710 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  10. University of Puerto Rico at Cayey 53% admitted Cayey, PR · Average price after grants: $12,630 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  11. University of Puerto Rico-Carolina 55% admitted Carolina, PR · Average price after grants: $12,472 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  12. University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras 55% admitted San Juan, PR · Average price after grants: $11,860 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  13. University of Puerto Rico-Humacao 55% admitted Humacao, PR · Average price after grants: $12,577 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  14. University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez 56% admitted Mayaguez, PR · Average price after grants: $14,997 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  15. Universidad del Sagrado Corazon 58% admitted Santurce, PR · Average price after grants: $11,772 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  16. University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo 59% admitted Arecibo, PR · Average price after grants: $13,088 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
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What are the most selective colleges in Puerto Rico?

The most selective four-year colleges in Puerto Rico are Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Fajardo (27% admitted), Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce (34% admitted) and University of Puerto Rico (35% admitted), by acceptance rate.

How many colleges on this list admit fewer than half of applicants?

8 of the 16 colleges listed admitted fewer than half of their applicants.

How recent are these acceptance rates?

Each row shows its year. Rates come from IPEDS, the federal college survey, for students who applied for fall 2024, or from the college's own Common Data Set for fall 2025 where that is newer.

Numbers change each year when colleges and the Department of Education publish new data. Confirm costs and admission rules with the college before you apply.

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