Texas A&M University-College Station vs Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Good news if you're stuck between them: Texas A&M University-College Station and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University come out about even on financial return. Texas A&M University-College Station scores 89/100 and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University scores 89/100 - 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, Texas A&M University-College Station runs $21,315 a year against $24,953 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - $3,638 more a year, or about $14,552 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates earn a median $81,698 against $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station. The cost earns itself back in 6.1 years at Texas A&M University-College Station and 5.1 years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave Texas A&M University-College Station owing a median $17,804 versus $21,500 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.33 and 0.43 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.