not taking into account the cost, which school is better for Physics?
Physics professor here. The University of Illinois has an excellent physics department, with a large physics faculty and strengths in many subdisciplines. Expect enormous first-year courses, lots of options for more advanced courses, and many active research programs. Students need to take initiative to take full advantage of what IUIC has to offer. It is a competitive place.
If you are asking which university has the higher reputation within the physics community, I would pick UIUC. That said NYU and UIUC are very different places. Only you can decide which is “better” for you.
Sorry about the typo. I wrote IUIC, but should have written UIUC.
Thank you so much for your input!