Pick a school you’ll be happiest at. TCNJ is the best public school NJ has to offer. The most difficult to get into. But it doesn’t have the same name recognition out of state as Rutgers. But must kids in both schools are from NJ. Rutgers is a bigger research school. But if you’ll be misarable there that won’t be good. My son looked at both also. He absolutely hated Rutgers. They gave him a full ride but but he didn’t take it. TCNJ has a beautiful campus. I was really impressed with it when we visited. Rutgers is just plain ugly. But I’m sure a lot of people that go there are very happy. In terms of research though, keep in mind that since Rutgers is so big, professors won’t be as accessible. And a lot of classes are taught by TAs with heavy accents. TCNJ is a small school so you might have a better chance to get the research you want. Unless you get into Rutgers honors program. Then you’ll have better access to stuff.