University of North Carolina at Charlotte vs University of Arkansas

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of North Carolina at Charlotte and University of Arkansas come out about even on financial return. University of North Carolina at Charlotte scores 68/100 and University of Arkansas scores 69/100 - 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 $18,209 at University of Arkansas - $2,774 more a year, or about $11,096 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Arkansas graduates earn a median $58,191 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 9.2 years at University of Arkansas.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of Arkansas owing a median $21,500 versus $21,500 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.56 and 0.53 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.