University of Minnesota-Twin Cities vs California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona come out about even on financial return. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities scores 88/100 and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona scores 89/100 - 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, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona runs $11,531 a year against $16,778 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - $5,247 more a year, or about $20,988 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates earn a median $71,902 against $69,020 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The cost earns itself back in 6.1 years at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and 5 years at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave California State Polytechnic University-Pomona owing a median $16,000 versus $19,500 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.42 and 0.37 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.