[Engineering] Big Department vs. Small Department

[itheproofofstupidity]

What do you guys think about doing doctoral studies in a large engineering department vs. a small department, both of about equivalent research quality and interest for someone seeking to pursue an academic career. 

I am comparing a department that has about 60 faculty and 35 doctoral students per class vs. a department with 16 faculty and 10 doctoral students per class. Both departments have professors who are doing research closely aligned with my own interests and both produce equivalently high quality research. My undergraduate advisor did warn that a large department will make it difficult for students to fight for attention and will require one to shine in order to get the support and research opportunities needed to succeed as an academic. However, a small department may have more difficulty with funding and will have less in-house expertise on a broad range of topics. 

I didn't expect to have to make a decision until I got a second offer of admission today! Its a very fortunate dilemma but still very stressful! 

Thank you in advance.