<p>Good, well thought out post, though I do want to refute one thing and point out another:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Champaign is not bigger than Evanston. Evanston’s population is estimated at ~>100,000 souls, whereas Champaign has a population of ~75,000 (according to a 2007 special census). According to a census from 2003, Evanston was around there, and it has grown substantially since then. Champaign simply isn’t comparable, at all.</p></li>
<li><p>Greek life can’t really be a selling point for UIUC over NU- NU’s campus is roughly 35% greek overall. The number of houses may be lower, but the percentage can’t possibly be much lower.</p></li>
<li><p>I don’t know about your anecdote about recruitment, but I do believe recruitment is roughly comparable between the two schools. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>For in state tuition, I’d probably pick UIUC.</p>