University of Arizona vs The University of Texas at Arlington

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of Arizona and The University of Texas at Arlington come out about even on financial return. University of Arizona scores 75/100 and The University of Texas at Arlington scores 76/100 - 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 Arlington runs $13,951 a year against $16,674 at University of Arizona - $2,723 more a year, or about $10,892 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, The University of Texas at Arlington graduates earn a median $63,199 against $59,979 at University of Arizona. The cost earns itself back in 8.3 years at University of Arizona and 6.9 years at The University of Texas at Arlington.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave The University of Texas at Arlington owing a median $17,527 versus $19,620 at University of Arizona. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.47 and 0.40 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.