<p>Raleigh vs. Madison: Interestingly, they’re both state capitols so they’re both kept in relatively good shape and are appealing. But while Raleigh is an otherwise pretty typical smaller city, Madison is special. It’s built around two enormous lakes with a isthmus down the middle on which the Capitol building sits. UW is lakefront, with a huge student center on the lakeside. Students are out sailing or socializing on the patio whenever the weather’s nice. I went to Wake Forest and used to visit Raleigh whenever we played State. My impression was that Raleigh was OK - nice, though unexciting. The one time I visited Madison I was wowed. It’s one of the great college towns in America.</p>
<p>Also, UW-Madison is the pinnacle of higher education in the state of Wisconsin. The whole state regards it with reverence. In NC, NC State comes in no better than fifth (behind UNC-CH, Duke, Davidson and Wake Forest).</p>