@mojojohnson no, I can’t help with info on grade deflation. I think it’s a fool’s errand to try to make a decision based on word on the street about such things as grade deflation, cut-throat-ness, etc. It’s a large school. WasU is med/large. Visit both campuses. She’ll have a gut feeling. Don’t fight the gut.
As far as travel, clearly St. Louis would be easier. For Cornell, the easiest travel path is direct to Newark (EWR) then catch a connecting flight EWR to Ithaca. Cab to campus from Ithaca Airport, about 10 minutes.