The University of Texas at San Antonio vs Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Good news if you're stuck between them: The University of Texas at San Antonio and Colorado State University-Fort Collins come out about even on financial return. The University of Texas at San Antonio scores 68/100 and Colorado State University-Fort Collins 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, The University of Texas at San Antonio runs $10,836 a year against $21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins - $10,443 more a year, or about $41,772 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 $57,131 at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The cost earns itself back in 8.3 years at The University of Texas at San Antonio and 8.8 years at Colorado State University-Fort Collins.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave Colorado State University-Fort Collins owing a median $20,000 versus $20,500 at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.53 and 0.50 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.