Manati, PRprivate nonprofitdewey.edu/
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Dewey University-Manati is a small, open-access institution in Puerto Rico that operates on a fundamentally different model than the mainland's selective colleges. It serves a local, career-focused student body with a practical curriculum heavy on nursing, education, and the trades, offering a low-cost, high-access path to professional credentials. The vibe is no-frills and utilitarian, centered on skill acquisition rather than a traditional residential college experience.
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Outcomes & value
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Compare on earnings: best colleges for Nursing
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023).
Dewey University-Manati practices open admissions, with a 100% for all applicants who complete an actionable application. The process is non-selective and operates on a rolling deadline, reflecting its mission of broad access rather than competitive screening. There is no mention of Early Decision programs or a consideration of demonstrated interest in the admissions process; the focus is on fulfilling basic application requirements. Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are not a reported factor for admission, with ranges listed as 'Not Available'.
The academic profile is intensely practical, designed for direct workforce entry. Registered Nursing is a standout major, alongside Early Childhood Education and Electrician training. The curriculum is specialized, with Construction, Engineering Technologies, and Education representing the most common degree fields. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1, suggesting the potential for more individualized attention in a small setting. The university assesses basic skills in English, Spanish, and Mathematics through proficiency tests for placement, acknowledging the bilingual context of its student body. The academic catalog outlines a structured, competency-based approach to career preparation.
Campus life is defined by its suburban Manati setting and its commuter-oriented student body of roughly 255 undergraduates. There is no available data on campus housing, meal plans, or organized sports, painting a picture of a largely non-residential, academically-focused environment. The institution describes its mission as 'Formando líderes' (forming leaders), emphasizing professional transformation over extracurricular immersion. The campus location is specified as Road 604, Km. 49.1 in the Tierras Nuevas Salientes neighborhood of Manati.
The graduation rate is a central metric of institutional performance. The canonical figure provided is 59%, which overrides other reported figures. Post-graduation earnings for Dewey University graduates are modest; the canonical median earnings 10 years after entry is $19,761. Data from a related campus suggests graduates may earn below the national median. The outcomes reflect the economic landscape for its graduates, who are primarily entering fields like nursing, education, and skilled trades within Puerto Rico.
Affordability is a cornerstone of Dewey University-Manati's appeal. The average after aid is a low $3,872, as per the canonical figure. Nearly every undergraduate (100%) receives grants or scholarships, with the average aid package reported between $5,851 and $6,825. This results in a sticker price that is significantly mitigated by financial assistance. The institution does not advertise a 'no-loan' policy or a guarantee of meeting full financial need; aid appears to be widely distributed but not necessarily loan-free.
Dewey University-Manati stands out precisely because it rejects the elite model of American higher education. It is not a selective, high-cost, residential liberal arts college. Instead, it is a hyper-local, open-access engine of social mobility for Puerto Rico. Its identity is built on unpretentious, practical training in fields the community needs most: nurses, teachers, electricians, and construction professionals. With a 100% , a under $4,000, and a curriculum stripped of anything not directly tied to a career, it represents a pure, almost vocational, approach to post-secondary education. It serves students who might otherwise be shut out, offering a direct, affordable, and focused path to a professional credential—a mission that is both narrow and profoundly important within its context.