UMBC or Univ of South Carolina - Stats Phd

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USC has offered partial tuition waiver. No funding from UMBC but high chance of full funding from second semester onwards. Also, I like UMBC because of its geographical location (may pharma, biotech, govt institutions in maryland-DC-Penn) and the department's small size (more focus?). Also, UMBC's stats program is within their math department (not sure if its an advantage?). On the other hand, USC's stats dept is bigger and seems to be better managed.

Could someone please comment on these two departments? Which one you'd choose and why? Sincerely appreciate your replies/thoughts to help me decide.