California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Good news if you're stuck between them: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of Washington-Seattle Campus come out about even on financial return. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo scores 96/100 and University of Washington-Seattle Campus 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 Washington-Seattle Campus runs $14,091 a year against $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - $2,574 more a year, or about $10,296 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 $78,466 at University of Washington-Seattle Campus. The cost earns itself back in 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and 4.5 years at University of Washington-Seattle Campus.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of Washington-Seattle Campus owing a median $14,615 versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.34 and 0.29 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.