University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus vs University of Illinois Chicago

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus and University of Illinois Chicago come out about even on financial return. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus scores 83/100 and University of Illinois Chicago scores 85/100 - 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 Illinois Chicago runs $10,974 a year against $15,300 at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus - $4,326 more a year, or about $17,304 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Illinois Chicago graduates earn a median $68,740 against $63,126 at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus. The cost earns itself back in 7.2 years at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus and 5.5 years at University of Illinois Chicago.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of Illinois Chicago owing a median $16,704 versus $20,654 at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.42 and 0.39 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.