University of California-Berkeley vs Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of California-Berkeley and Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus come out about even on financial return. University of California-Berkeley scores 97/100 and Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus scores 97/100 - 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, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus runs $12,116 a year against $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley - $1,365 more a year, or about $5,460 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus graduates earn a median $102,772 against $92,446 at University of California-Berkeley. The cost earns itself back in 3.4 years at University of California-Berkeley and 2.8 years at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of California-Berkeley owing a median $13,000 versus $21,672 at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.23 and 0.33 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.