Colleges and universities in Puerto Rico facts for kids

Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras (University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus)

Have you ever wondered what comes after high school? For many students, the next step is a college or university. These are places where you can learn more about subjects you love, discover new interests, and prepare for your future career. In Puerto Rico, a beautiful island in the Caribbean, there are many different colleges and universities where students can continue their education.

Types of Colleges and Universities in Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, just like in many other places, there are two main types of colleges and universities: public and private. They both offer great learning experiences, but they are funded and managed in different ways.

Public Universities

Public universities usually get money from the government. This often means they can offer lower tuition fees, making them more affordable for many students. They are open to everyone who meets their admission requirements.

The University of Puerto Rico System

The largest public university system in Puerto Rico is the University of Puerto Rico (UPR). It's like a big family of schools with campuses all over the island. Each campus offers different programs and has its own unique feel.

Here are some of the UPR campuses:

• Aguadilla
• Arecibo
• Bayamón
• Carolina
• Cayey
• Humacao
• Mayagüez
• Ponce
• Rio Piedras
• Utuado

Other Public Institutions

Besides the UPR system, Puerto Rico also has other important public schools that focus on specific areas of study:

• Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y El Caribe (Center for Advanced Studies on Puerto Rico and the Caribbean)
• Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico (Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico)
• Escuela de Artes Plásticas de Puerto Rico (School of Plastic Arts of Puerto Rico)

Private Universities

Private universities get their money mainly from student tuition fees, donations, and other private sources. They might have different academic programs or a specific focus, like religious studies or a particular field of science.

Here are some of the private colleges and universities in Puerto Rico:

• American University of Puerto Rico
• Antillean Adventist University
• Atlantic College of Puerto Rico
• Universidad Central de Bayamón (Bayamon Central University)
• Biblical and Pentecostal College of Puerto Rico
• Caribbean University
  • Caribbean University at Bayamon
  • Caribbean University at Carolina
  • Caribbean University at Ponce
  • Caribbean University at Vega Baja
• Carlos Albizu University
• Evangelic Seminary of Puerto Rico
• Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
  • Aguadilla
  • Arecibo
  • Barranquitas
  • Bayamón
  • Fajardo
  • Guayama
  • Metropolitan Campus
  • Ponce
  • San Germán
• National College
• Ponce School of Medicine
• Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico (Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico)
• San Juan Bautista School of Medicine
• Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez (Ana G. Mendez University System)
  • Universidad del Este (University of the East)
    • Cabo Rojo
    • Carolina
    • Manati
    • Santa Isabel
    • Utuado
    • Yauco
  • Universidad del Turabo (Turabo University)
    • Cayey
    • Gurabo
    • Isabela
    • Naguabo
  • Universidad Metropolitana (Metropolitan University)
    • Aguadilla
    • Bayamon
    • Jayuya
    • San Juan
• Universidad Central del Caribe (Central University of the Caribbean)
• Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (University of the Sacred Heart)
• Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico (Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico)