- Overall, both universities are equally prestigious, with Cornell having a very slight edge overall, while NU has the slight edge in Econ.
- Where it matters, among the educated, both universities are extremely prestigious, with the tiny edge going to Cornell, but insignificantly so.
- Name recognition can matter in some circumstances, but there isn't enough of a difference between those two incredible universities to differentiate them based on reputation/prestige.
You really cannot go wrong here. I would go for fit. Quarter system vs semester system? Suburban vs rural? Close to a major city vs out in nature? Big 10 athletics vs Ivy League athletics? etc…