University of Missouri-Columbia vs The University of Texas at Arlington

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of Missouri-Columbia and The University of Texas at Arlington come out about even on financial return. University of Missouri-Columbia scores 77/100 and The University of Texas at Arlington scores 76/100 - 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 Arlington runs $13,951 a year against $20,268 at University of Missouri-Columbia - $6,317 more a year, or about $25,268 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates earn a median $63,403 against $63,199 at The University of Texas at Arlington. The cost earns itself back in 7.8 years at University of Missouri-Columbia and 6.9 years at The University of Texas at Arlington.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave The University of Texas at Arlington owing a median $17,527 versus $20,500 at University of Missouri-Columbia. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.48 and 0.40 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.