Why is Harvard on the table? It does not compare to the others for what the OP is intending to study. Send Harvard home. How do you associate MIT with " hardcore academia" . You are confusing it with CalTech or Chicago. MIT does have a huge start-up environment but not just a start up environment. it is rated high on all the dimensions you are interested in. Can’t go wrong with any that you have listed except Harvard for what you are seeking.