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Last update: October 23, 2025
4 minutes read
Curious about Bad Bunny's college story? Find out where the global reggaeton star studied, what he learned, and how his education shaped his path to music superstardom.

By Derick Rodriguez, Associate Editor
Edited by Yerain Abreu, M.S.
Learn more about our editorial standards


By Derick Rodriguez, Associate Editor
Edited by Yerain Abreu, M.S.
Learn more about our editorial standards
Ever wonder if your favorite reggaeton artist was hitting the books before hitting the stage? Bad Bunny's journey from college student to international sensation might surprise you.
Before becoming one of the most streamed artists on Spotify, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio was just another student trying to figure out his future while juggling classes and passion projects.
Bad Bunny went to the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo. It's a public university that's part of the bigger UPR system. The campus is in Arecibo, a town on the northern coast of Puerto Rico.
He studied audiovisual communication. Think of it like a major in making videos, working with cameras, and creating media content.
The classes covered:
Pretty cool for someone who'd later make super creative music videos, right? The UPR system is known for offering quality education at affordable prices, making it a popular choice for Puerto Rican students.
No. Bad Bunny left college before finishing his degree. Here's what happened:
While he was a student at UPR Arecibo, Bad Bunny had two jobs. During the day, he went to classes. After that, he worked at a supermarket called Econo. Then at night, he made music in his free time.
He started uploading his songs to SoundCloud. One day in 2016, a music producer named DJ Luian heard his tracks and loved them. This changed everything.
As his music got more popular, Bad Bunny had to make a choice: keep going to school or focus on music full-time.
He picked music. Within two years, he went from bagging groceries to working with huge stars like Cardi B and J Balvin — and now, from those early college days to performing at the Super Bowl in 2026, his rise has been nothing short of legendary.
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In interviews, Bad Bunny speaks positively about his time at UPR Arecibo. He doesn't regret studying audiovisual communication. He's mentioned that what he learned there still helps him today, especially when he's working on music videos or planning visual concepts for performances.
He's also proud of being from Puerto Rico and attending a Puerto Rican university. The UPR system holds special meaning for people on the island. It's affordable, accessible, and produces a lot of the island's professionals and creatives.
Bad Bunny represents something important for students everywhere: your path doesn't have to be traditional to be valuable.
College gave him tools. Work gave him discipline. Music gave him purpose. All three pieces mattered.
For students thinking about their own futures, whether finishing college or exploring other paths, having the right information and financial support makes a huge difference. Resources like TuitionHero can help you figure out scholarships, compare costs, and make choices that work for your specific situation.
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Bad Bunny studied audiovisual communication at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo. The program taught media production, including video, audio, and broadcasting skills.
He left after his music started getting really popular on SoundCloud. A producer discovered his work in 2016, and the opportunities in music became too big to balance with school.
No public record shows he regrets it. In interviews, he's spoken positively about his college years and said his studies helped shape his creative approach to music and visuals.
It's located in Arecibo, a coastal town in northern Puerto Rico. It's part of the larger University of Puerto Rico system, which has campuses across the island.
Yes. He worked at a supermarket called Econo while attending classes. He'd make music at night after work and school, eventually uploading songs to SoundCloud that launched his career.
Bad Bunny's college story shows that education takes many forms. He attended the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo, studied audiovisual communication, and learned skills that still shape his creative work today. Even though he didn't finish his degree, those years weren't wasted.
His path from college student to global superstar involved hard work, timing, and talent. But it also involved the foundation he built during those years in Arecibo, learning about media, working regular jobs, and making music whenever he could.
Whether you're in college now, thinking about going, or exploring different options, remember that your education matters beyond just a diploma. The skills you learn, the connections you make, and the person you become along the way all count for something.

Derick Rodriguez
Derick Rodriguez is a seasoned editor and digital marketing strategist specializing in demystifying college finance. With over half a decade of experience in the digital realm, Derick has honed a unique skill set that bridges the gap between complex financial concepts and accessible, user-friendly communication. His approach is deeply rooted in leveraging personal experiences and insights to illuminate the nuances of college finance, making it more approachable for students and families.

Yerain Abreu
Yerain Abreu is a Content Strategist with over 7 years of experience. He earned a Master's degree in digital marketing from Zicklin School of Business. He focuses on college finance, a niche carved out of his journey through the complexities of academic finance. These firsthand experiences provide him with a unique perspective, enabling him to create content that's informative and relatable to students and their families grappling with the intricacies of college financing.
At TuitionHero, we're not just passionate about our work - we take immense pride in it. Our dedicated team of writers diligently follows strict editorial standards, ensuring that every piece of content we publish is accurate, current, and highly valuable. We don't just strive for quality; we aim for excellence.
While you're at it, here are some other college finance-related blog posts you might be interested in.
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