The University of Texas at San Antonio vs University of Oregon

Good news if you're stuck between them: The University of Texas at San Antonio and University of Oregon come out about even on financial return. The University of Texas at San Antonio scores 68/100 and University of Oregon scores 68/100 - 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 $22,182 at University of Oregon - $11,346 more a year, or about $45,384 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Oregon graduates earn a median $61,324 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 8.7 years at University of Oregon.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of Oregon owing a median $20,139 versus $20,500 at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.53 and 0.51 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.