University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign vs University of California-Davis

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and University of California-Davis come out about even on financial return. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scores 93/100 and University of California-Davis scores 95/100 - 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign runs $14,355 a year against $14,741 at University of California-Davis - $386 more a year, or about $1,544 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn a median $81,054 against $80,838 at University of California-Davis. The cost earns itself back in 4.3 years at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and 4.3 years at University of California-Davis.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of California-Davis owing a median $13,000 versus $19,500 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.37 and 0.29 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.