Should I go to a lower UC (UCSC / UCR) or a CSU (CSUF / CSULB)?

Cons for CSUs:

  • Not as much prestige
  • Are not research-based like the UCs
  • Do not offer a neuroscience major
  • Are overcrowded (difficulty getting classes and graduating timely)
    Pros for CSUs:
  • More affordable
  • Closer to home (though I don’t want to live at home)

Cons for UCs:

  • Lowly ranked among the UCs
  • More expensive
  • Never been to SC, not close to Riverside
    Pros for UCs:
  • Prestige for simply being a UC
  • More research-geared and better funded
  • Higher graduation and freshmen retention rates

I applied to the CSUs as a Biology major, which kind of sucks because I want to go into neuroscience. Would it be more beneficial for me to attend a low UC or a high CSU? Which of the four have a better biological sciences department, social atmosphere, etc.? Thank you for any input, much appreciated!