University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus vs Florida Gulf Coast University

Good news if you're stuck between them: University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus and Florida Gulf Coast University come out about even on financial return. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus scores 70/100 and Florida Gulf Coast University scores 68/100 - 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, Florida Gulf Coast University runs $12,568 a year against $30,434 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus - $17,866 more a year, or about $71,464 across four years.

Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus graduates earn a median $66,125 against $54,560 at Florida Gulf Coast University. The cost earns itself back in 8.4 years at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus and 9.7 years at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave Florida Gulf Coast University owing a median $17,622 versus $24,250 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.55 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.