University of Georgia vs North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of Georgia and North Carolina State University at Raleigh come out about even on financial return. University of Georgia scores 88/100 and North Carolina State University at Raleigh scores 87/100 - 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 Georgia runs $13,936 a year against $17,303 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh - $3,367 more a year, or about $13,468 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates earn a median $68,758 against $68,726 at University of Georgia. The cost earns itself back in 5.8 years at University of Georgia and 6.2 years at North Carolina State University at Raleigh.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of Georgia owing a median $18,500 versus $20,121 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.41 and 0.45 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.