The University of Alabama vs University of Maryland Global Campus

Good news if you're stuck between them: The University of Alabama and University of Maryland Global Campus come out about even on financial return. The University of Alabama scores 64/100 and University of Maryland Global Campus scores 63/100 - 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 Maryland Global Campus runs $22,063 a year against $22,420 at The University of Alabama - $357 more a year, or about $1,428 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Maryland Global Campus graduates earn a median $65,287 against $59,221 at The University of Alabama. The cost earns itself back in 9.5 years at The University of Alabama and 7.5 years at University of Maryland Global Campus.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of Maryland Global Campus owing a median $21,000 versus $22,750 at The University of Alabama. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.54 and 0.44 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.