Locals call it el Colegio. The Mayagüez campus of the University of Puerto Rico began in 1911 as a college of agriculture and is now the system's engineering and science campus, on the island's west coast. Its engineering graduates are recruited heavily by mainland US companies. Most undergraduate teaching is in Spanish, although textbooks and a good share of graduate work are in English. Tuition is far below mainland US levels.
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, United States
Official website: uprm.edu
1911, as a college of agriculture
University of Puerto Rico
Engineering and applied sciences
Spanish and English
$4,000 – $10,000
Approximate; depends on residency status and credits
$9,000 – $12,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on uprm.edu before you apply.
BS Mechanical Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
60 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
Spanish and English proficiency
BS Computer Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
60 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
Spanish and English proficiency
MS Civil Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
Spanish and English proficiency
MS Chemistry
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
Spanish and English proficiency
BS Agronomy
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
Spanish and English proficiency
Engineering programmes recruited by major mainland US employers.
Teaching mostly in Spanish, with English common in graduate study.
Low tuition by US standards.
Engineering graduates join aerospace, manufacturing and tech companies in Puerto Rico and the mainland.
The island's pharmaceutical and medical device plants hire chemistry and engineering graduates.
Puerto Rico is US territory, so standard F-1 OPT rules apply after graduation.
Undergrad
Main intake
Postgrad
Main intake
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Selected programmes
Mayagüez is a mid-sized city on the west coast, centred on Plaza Colón. Campus is close to downtown, and many students rent rooms in guest houses nearby.
The surf beaches at Rincón are about half an hour north. Living costs are low compared with the mainland, though hurricane season can disrupt the semester.
Form I-20 issued by the institution
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Undergraduate applications for August usually close in the spring, and graduate deadlines often fall around February for August and September for January. Dates change, so check with the Mayagüez admissions office each year.
Undergraduates start in August. Many graduate programmes also admit in January.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Mechanical, computer and civil engineering, chemistry and agricultural sciences are the main draws. You'll need working Spanish for most undergraduate classes and good reading English. Graduate programmes need a relevant bachelor's degree, and some departments interview applicants.
Graduate students can apply for teaching and research assistantships, which often cover tuition. Undergraduate aid for non-residents is limited, so ask the financial aid office.
