The University of Texas at Austin vs University of Florida

Good news if you're stuck between them: The University of Texas at Austin and University of Florida come out about even on financial return. The University of Texas at Austin scores 90/100 and University of Florida scores 92/100 - 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 Florida runs $6,541 a year against $19,857 at The University of Texas at Austin - $13,316 more a year, or about $53,264 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, The University of Texas at Austin graduates earn a median $75,121 against $71,588 at University of Florida. The cost earns itself back in 5.5 years at The University of Texas at Austin and 4.5 years at University of Florida.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of Florida owing a median $15,000 versus $20,500 at The University of Texas at Austin. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.39 and 0.31 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.