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

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of California-San Diego and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo come out about even on financial return. University of California-San Diego scores 96/100 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-San Diego runs $12,470 a year against $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - $4,195 more a year, or about $16,780 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 $84,943 at University of California-San Diego. The cost earns itself back in 3.8 years at University of California-San Diego and 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of California-San Diego owing a median $15,500 versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.32 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.