The University of Texas at Dallas vs University of California-Santa Cruz

Good news if you're stuck between them: The University of Texas at Dallas and University of California-Santa Cruz come out about even on financial return. The University of Texas at Dallas scores 84/100 and University of California-Santa Cruz scores 85/100 - 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 California-Santa Cruz runs $17,890 a year against $18,267 at The University of Texas at Dallas - $377 more a year, or about $1,508 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of California-Santa Cruz graduates earn a median $68,396 against $68,227 at The University of Texas at Dallas. The cost earns itself back in 6.4 years at The University of Texas at Dallas and 6.3 years at University of California-Santa Cruz.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of California-Santa Cruz owing a median $16,666 versus $18,000 at The University of Texas at Dallas. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.38 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.