University of North Carolina at Charlotte vs Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Oklahoma State University-Main Campus come out about even on financial return. University of North Carolina at Charlotte scores 68/100 and Oklahoma State University-Main Campus scores 70/100 - 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 Charlotte runs $15,435 a year against $17,447 at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus - $2,012 more a year, or about $8,048 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus graduates earn a median $57,413 against $57,289 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The cost earns itself back in 9.1 years at University of North Carolina at Charlotte and 9.4 years at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave Oklahoma State University-Main Campus owing a median $20,500 versus $21,500 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.56 and 0.48 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.