The four comparisons worth making

Four are worth real effort. What the course actually contains — the module lists side by side, which differ far more than the course titles suggest. Total cost across the whole course rather than per year, including everything that is not tuition. What graduates of that specific course do next, as published by the institution or a national body. And how you would live day to day: the city, the travel, who is nearby.

Most other comparisons are weaker proxies for these four. Do them in writing, in one table, at a single sitting. If two offers come out level, that is real information rather than a failure — it means the decision is smaller than it feels, and you can choose on the fourth comparison without guilt.