If you care about high-quality academics, rigor, and research go to UChicago. UChicago has fun dance and ballet groups but academics take priority over anything here, and arts are really on the sideline here. Econ is strong, rigorous and competitive, Pub Pol is more relaxed and easy. I can’t say about Amherst or Pomona’s departments.
If you care about a positive, less oppressive and more intimate student-life go to Amherst. You will have more time for fun, friends, and social things at Amherst. Amherst doesn’t have the city, but if you don’t have time to go out, then what is it worth to you?
Job placement: great no matter what, UChicago will have more prestige for Econ and more opportunities for Urban research, but “degree pedigree” will be the same