Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs University of Kentucky

Good news if you're stuck between them: Colorado State University-Fort Collins and University of Kentucky come out about even on financial return. Colorado State University-Fort Collins scores 69/100 and University of Kentucky scores 69/100 - 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 Kentucky runs $18,851 a year against $21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins - $2,428 more a year, or about $9,712 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates earn a median $60,543 against $59,025 at University of Kentucky. The cost earns itself back in 8.8 years at Colorado State University-Fort Collins and 9 years at University of Kentucky.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave Colorado State University-Fort Collins owing a median $20,000 versus $22,500 at University of Kentucky. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.50 and 0.52 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.