I cannot address Human Factors specific information or departmental placement statistics. I can however confirm that you, as it stands, have made the right decision. Cost of living in Northern Virginia is quite high (I lived in Fairfax County from 2004-2007) and dirt cheap in Moscow, ID (where my sister lived in the late 80s/early 90s.)
Any program is what you make of it. With the internet, your opportunities are much less limited than before the internet. If you want an internship with a defense contractor in Northern Virginia, once you're ready, make it happen, but until then live dirt che