University of California-Los Angeles vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of California-Los Angeles and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill come out about even on financial return. University of California-Los Angeles scores 96/100 and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scores 94/100 - 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill runs $11,655 a year against $12,548 at University of California-Los Angeles - $893 more a year, or about $3,572 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn a median $82,511 against $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The cost earns itself back in 4 years at University of California-Los Angeles and 5 years at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill owing a median $14,000 versus $14,000 at University of California-Los Angeles. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.27 and 0.28 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.