University of Massachusetts-Amherst vs The University of Texas at Dallas

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of Massachusetts-Amherst and The University of Texas at Dallas come out about even on financial return. University of Massachusetts-Amherst scores 83/100 and The University of Texas at Dallas scores 84/100 - 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, The University of Texas at Dallas runs $18,267 a year against $22,383 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst - $4,116 more a year, or about $16,464 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates earn a median $71,631 against $68,227 at The University of Texas at Dallas. The cost earns itself back in 6.3 years at University of Massachusetts-Amherst and 6.4 years at The University of Texas at Dallas.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave The University of Texas at Dallas owing a median $18,000 versus $22,763 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.52 and 0.38 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.