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

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of California-Irvine and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo come out about even on financial return. University of California-Irvine scores 94/100 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-Irvine runs $14,251 a year against $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - $2,414 more a year, or about $9,656 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn a median $90,768 against $80,735 at University of California-Irvine. The cost earns itself back in 4.3 years at University of California-Irvine and 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of California-Irvine owing a median $15,000 versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.34 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.