Thank you for your reply fuzzy!
My goal is to figure out how suitable and committed I'm for doing research, and to get prepared for PhD (if I have interest and talent for research) or get prepared for a job (if I don't like research or can't excel at it).
I've heard of snow in Syracuse. It seems to be inconvenient, but that will not be my major concern, if it is a concern at all.
The stipend is similar. I guess they adjust it according to the local living expenses.
I don't have the exact statistics for placement, but there are alumni from both schools getting into great graduate schools for PhD programs.
I have not got in contact with professors. Actually I don't know who will be my advisers. It seems like students are supposed to choose advisers after a semester or something.
If you have any other comments/advice, they will be highly valued. Thank you!