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Questions like this rarely deserve “hands down, no question” answers.
This isn’t my field, and I don’t know whose faculty are among its leading lights. But especially if you are considering a relatively new, interdisciplinary field, and aren’t even all that committed to majoring in it, you might want to take a holistic view of the overall quality of undergraduate education.</p>
<p>Faculty distinction isn’t the only factor to consider.<br>
Compare class sizes, for example. Compare financial aid, student qualifications (selectivity), facilities, and strength across related/supporting disciplines (anthropology, sociology, political science, etc.) Also consider personal preferences for location (region, urban/rural/suburban setting, climate), political/social/intellectual atmosphere (including Greek & sports scene), etc.</p>
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<p>The attraction of specific professors, and their research interests, becomes a major (THE major) consideration in choosing a PhD program in the arts & sciences. For a typical high school student choosing a college? Not so much (although it’s worth noting that a college is able to attract distinguished professors in programs that interest you.)</p>