All the schools that located in typical college town (UIUC, IU, UMich, ND, Wiscounsin......and more) do show similiar characteristics to each other. e.g. couple hours drive frmo a major city nearby, you get what you need in everyday life in the surrounding areas (WalMart, Target, BestBuy, regional chain supermarket...)and maybe one/two movie theater in town. THIS IS AMERICA..WELCOME.!!!
I would choose UIUC only if it would accept the certificate of early-graduation from my present univ. and guarantee my registration to the program in June....