UCLA vs UCSB CCS vs UIUC

Deciding between these for physics.

Some factors:

- hopefully going to grad school for PhD to go into research, but I am considering a path into engineering/finance depending on how cooked the job market is for physics

- in state for UIUC which is also a big factor in terms of tuition (43k) and closeness to home

- price isn’t a barrier but can influence

- 20k merit scholarship from UCSB

- CCS at UCSB which gives (what ive seen so far) a LAC physics education with small class sizes and close professor relationships

I’m mostly valuing a good physics program because I want to get into a good PhD program, but also quality of life because I’d like to be somewhat happy for the next 4 years

If you guys have any advice I’d greatly appreciate it 🙏