I can't say anything about your decision but as someone who's lived in new york as a student all I can do is give you some info on a little bit of literature student stuff:
it's pretty expensive, everything from rent to food to books, but it's also a very convenient city which I'm sure is obvious
it does have a THRIVING literary community which is really really great, there's always stuff going on in the city, events and such that you can go to multiple times a week, and that's a fantastic way to network maybe meet other people in the field or just meet people with common interests and so on, plus the NY Public Library (nypl) is an amazing resource which keeps you from having to buy books (but ofc support local bookstores if you're able and willing) and membership is eff arr ee ee FREE
personally I ended up leaving NY bc I'm an international student and visa stuff didn't work out but as someone interested in literature it is for sure a great place to be, if you can afford it (note that finding off-campus housing is difficult rn but not impossible, just know it'll take time so start planning ahead -- honestly plan ahead for anything you do in ny, and if you're going to fordham you might be able to get away with living somewhere up north slightly outside the city with cheap rent but idk)
i've never been to st louis lol sorry