Comparing Biostatistics PhD Programs: UNC vs UCLA

[LacroixBoix]

I was accepted to both UNC and UCLA's biostatistics programs for fall 2021. I'm trying to decide which to attend. Both are fully funded with tuition, healthcare and stipend (with UNC offering slightly more which is interesting bc cost of living would suggest otherwise). I guess consider funding pretty much equal. I also don't fully know where my research interests lie yet, so it's hard to use that as a criteria.

Both are great programs, but I know UNC is slightly higher ranked. Is the difference in ranking significant? Does anyone know any meaningful differences between the cultures of each program?

I've included the poll, but am more interested in hearing about the qualitative merits of each program so I can compare the two. Thanks!

[statfan]

UNC's program is inarguable better. They are not even close.

[bayessays]

UNC is quite a bit better- they have a lot of students who do well because Michael Kosorok is such a big name, so his students get great jobs, but even besides him it is a stronger department.  UCLA has some fine people though and is a respectable program, so if you wanted to live in LA or had family on the west coast and didn't care as much about prestige (for instance, if you wanted an industry job), that would be something reasonable to consider.

Also, I would look very carefully at apartment prices.  Chapel Hill is not the cheapest place, but living near UCLA's campus will cost a fortune and you would almost certainly need roommates to afford to live on the stipend.  If UNC is giving you more money, then your quality of life will be drastically better in Chapel Hill.