University of Michigan-Ann Arbor vs University of California-Los Angeles

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and University of California-Los Angeles come out about even on financial return. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor scores 95/100 and University of California-Los Angeles scores 96/100 - 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 California-Los Angeles runs $12,548 a year against $13,138 at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor - $590 more a year, or about $2,360 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn a median $83,648 against $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. The cost earns itself back in 4 years at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and 4 years at University of California-Los Angeles.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of California-Los Angeles owing a median $14,000 versus $19,500 at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.35 and 0.27 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.