University of Massachusetts-Amherst vs University of Connecticut

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of Massachusetts-Amherst and University of Connecticut come out about even on financial return. University of Massachusetts-Amherst scores 83/100 and University of Connecticut scores 85/100 - 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 Massachusetts-Amherst runs $22,383 a year against $25,097 at University of Connecticut - $2,714 more a year, or about $10,856 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Connecticut graduates earn a median $73,997 against $71,631 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. The cost earns itself back in 6.3 years at University of Massachusetts-Amherst and 6.2 years at University of Connecticut.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of Connecticut owing a median $21,500 versus $22,763 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.52 and 0.43 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.