UIUC (Professional MCS) vs UCSD (MS CS)

[JustAnotherBlankPro]

Experts/Aspirants, I could really use some help.

I have been offered admits from UI at Urbana-Champaign (for Professional MCS degree) and UC San Diego ( for MS in CS).
I understand that UIUC is ranked higher than UCSD, but then I have some apprehensions regarding professional MCS degree when pitted against MSCS. Not too sure if this degree is considered equivalent to MS in CS, and likewise revered and valued in the industry.

In UIUC's defence, the coursework and degree requirement for MCS is exactly same as the MSCS research program at the university(except that the 4 credit thesis is replaced by a course).

UCSD on the other hand
-has the 'Californian' location advantage and San Diego is a burgeoning tech city.
-slightly less expensive of the two
-climate round the year is mild and pleasant, unlike harsh winters in Urbana.

As of today, I am not very keen on going for research profile with my master's program. This puts me in a fix. If you happen to have pertinent context on this, please feel free to chime in and share your valuable suggestions.

Thanking in anticipation

Profile (if matters) -
Papers/publications - None
TOEFL - 112/120 
GRE - 329/340 (Q: 168, V: 161, AWA: 4)
College - IIT Patna
CGPA - 9.35/10
Work Experience - 3yrs as SDE at Microsoft India Development Center

[bsk]

Hi, what did you choose finally? I'm similarly apprehensive about the MCS program at UIUC. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you!