<p>Okay provided that funding is not an issue, research interests match at both the schools, and I don't care about the weather or the location, where should I go? Is Stanford PhD more valuable than Cornell PhD? Which environment is healthier? Please give me your thoughts on this dilemma that I have been having. Thanks!</p>
<p>It depends on your field in some cases. But, overall, I'd say Stanford tends to be "more valuable"</p>
<p>My field is EE.</p>
<p>Definitely Stanford then. Cornell is very good for EE too, but Stanford, along with MIT and Berkeley, is one of top 3 in the world.</p>
<p>Stanford EE is a better known program. However, it is a much larger program with a large MS only component, which leads to larger classes and tougher quals.</p>
<p>I would think Stanford has a better quality of life. Go with Stanford I say.</p>