University of Phoenix-Arizona vs South University-Tampa

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of Phoenix-Arizona and South University-Tampa come out about even on financial return. University of Phoenix-Arizona scores 8/100 and South University-Tampa scores 8/100 - 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 Phoenix-Arizona runs $13,520 a year against $20,434 at South University-Tampa - $6,914 more a year, or about $27,656 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Phoenix-Arizona graduates earn a median $37,752 against $34,421 at South University-Tampa. The cost earns itself back in 70.5 years at University of Phoenix-Arizona and 999 years at South University-Tampa.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave South University-Tampa owing a median $26,123 versus $31,553 at University of Phoenix-Arizona. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.92 and 0.80 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.