I teach at a “directional” state school. The intro physics course I typically teach is definitely at a lower level than the equivalent course at the local research U. We cover less material at a less challenging level. As much as I might want to more closely approach the research U equivalent, I would be doing so with the likelihood of utter failure of my students. To paraphrase the profound Rumsfeld - you try to teach the students you have, not the students you wish you had.
If the students at the schools you are considering are in vastly different ability sets from one another, likely the courses they are taking are gauged accordingly.