ZachL,
I have been away for a while and have been lurking for before re-engaging.
We live in Lincoln. DS1 is AROTC at a Big 10. DS2 has applied for NROTC Scholarship to several Big 10's including Madison. I will not comment on the quality, cohesiveness, etc of the NROTC units because I know nothing about either one. I will tell you the following:
We want our DS's out of town, on their own, doing their own laundry, etc. We have several Lincoln friends with kids in Madtown. They love everything about UW, including the way they were treated at the football game in 2011; granted the Badgers spanked us. Barry Alvarez played here, was best friends with the former coach, and probably is the reason the new NU AD got his job, replacing a demi-god.
Nebraska is more off the beaten path. Lincoln is a great town, but doesn't have the rep of Madison, Ann Arbor, Austin. Out of staters are rarer here, but probably more appreciated than in other places. Nebraskans automatically like anyone who would choose to live here. Also, many very successful Nebraskans move back here because it is such an easy place to live.
Bottomline, you will not find two more sympatico people than Nebraskans and Wisconsinites. Smarter than outsiders think. Totally midwestern and totally devoid of attitude. You cannot make a bad choice between these two.
All else being equal, assess the respective academic programs. UW has the higher profile rep, but in certain fields, NU is better. If you are visiting in Jan, feel free to PM me. We have close friends in several STEM fields at NU and would be happy to make an introduction.
BTW. Dunninla. I know the distances to the oceans. I am a sailor from the south and our family vacations have always been to the Outer Banks, down in Kinnem country. Believe me, Chincoteague oysters
are better than Mountain oysters
.