UT-Austin or UM-Madison ? 【For Operations Reseach and Industiral Engineering】

[Mia-optLi]

Hi everyone. 

I have narrowed my choices down to these two schools. They are both my dream schools, so I am really torn. The two universities I was admitted to are
1. UT-Austin: MS in operations research and industrial engineering
2. Wisconsin-Madison: MS in industrial engineering-research option

My own current interests and future plans: I am interested in both optimization theory/machine learning, but this may change depending on my exposure to research projects once I start graduate school, so it is not very important for my choice. 
I prefer programs with a higher academic reputation and programs that focus more on developing students' theoretical foundation and academic skills because I am not sure if I want to work after grad school, so I want to build a good foundation for a PhD first. I also prefer a program with a small department and a friendly atmosphere, not a very competitive environment.

These are some of the information I've gathered for each program ：
 

UT-Austin

It will be cheaper
1. Better internship/job opportunities
2. More interesting city? (not sure about that)
3. Smaller department, maybe more opportunities to get involved in professors' research group then I can stay for the PhD
4. But some of the department professors are from other departments, would there be a relative preference to recruit students from their own department for PhDs?
5. The courses are all taken with the PhDs because there is no undergraduate program in the department (which is good for me if I want to continue my PhD? After all, it means the courses are more hardcore)
6. Many people around me recommend UT. In their opinion, UT admissions are more rigorous (in-state protection policy)

UW-Madison

1. I hear Madison is a beautiful place with four distinct seasons
2. The good academic atmosphere, most of the graduate students in the department choose to apply for PhD
2. Reputation of being a research school
3. research option has a low admit rate(Instead, UT does not distinguish between research and non-research programs, it is a choice after admission)
4. Although the curriculum is also relatively hardcore, but there are many classes with undergraduates, the classes size may be larger
5. I heard that the department doesn't care much about graduate students? (not sure)

So far, I have been unable to decide between the two. Both schools are options that I really want to go to and would really appreciate hearing some advice and pointers, which I would greatly appreciate.
Thanks!