California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Good news if you're stuck between them: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill come out about even on financial return. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo scores 96/100 and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scores 94/100 - close enough that your own situation (your major, the aid package each one offers you, in-state vs out-of-state) will matter more than the score gap.

Start with what you'd actually pay. After aid, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill runs $11,655 a year against $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - $5,010 more a year, or about $20,040 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn a median $90,768 against $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The cost earns itself back in 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and 5 years at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill owing a median $14,000 versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.34 and 0.28 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.