University of California-Berkeley vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of California-Berkeley and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo come out about even on financial return. University of California-Berkeley scores 97/100 and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo scores 96/100 - 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-Berkeley runs $13,481 a year against $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - $3,184 more a year, or about $12,736 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of California-Berkeley graduates earn a median $92,446 against $90,768 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The cost earns itself back in 3.4 years at University of California-Berkeley and 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of California-Berkeley owing a median $13,000 versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.23 and 0.34 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.