University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs University of Virginia-Main Campus

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and University of Virginia-Main Campus come out about even on financial return. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scores 94/100 and University of Virginia-Main Campus scores 95/100 - 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill runs $11,655 a year against $21,565 at University of Virginia-Main Campus - $9,910 more a year, or about $39,640 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates earn a median $86,863 against $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The cost earns itself back in 5 years at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and 4.4 years at University of Virginia-Main Campus.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill owing a median $14,000 versus $17,500 at University of Virginia-Main Campus. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.28 and 0.31 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.