University of Michigan-Ann Arbor vs University of California-Berkeley

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and University of California-Berkeley come out about even on financial return. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor scores 95/100 and University of California-Berkeley scores 97/100 - 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 Michigan-Ann Arbor runs $13,138 a year against $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley - $343 more a year, or about $1,372 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of California-Berkeley graduates earn a median $92,446 against $83,648 at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. The cost earns itself back in 4 years at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and 3.4 years at University of California-Berkeley.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of California-Berkeley owing a median $13,000 versus $19,500 at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.35 and 0.23 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.