To add to the LAC camp: the research support at the top LACs is tremendous. A combination of no grad students and a commitment to supporting student research means that (paid) research opportunities are available from the summer after first year, and (paid) classroom experience (lab assistants/TA) as early as second year.
Also, there is a difference between the range of classes offered and the rigor of those classes- and the PhD success of the LACs would support that.