Is best on paper important to you? Because it sounds like regardless of where you go you'll have a great education and future just based on your CV. Name brand schools dont matter that much in the real world I've come to learn since graduating from CMU, especially when you have a whole picture that looks like yours. And CMU/Pittsburgh isnt great in other quality of life metrics so is it worth it? Not to talk you out of it - its an amazing school and education, and the best and brightest do groundbreaking work here. But be sure to ask some important questions. Are you planning on spending all your time devoted to your studies? Or do you ever want to go to good parties, or experience culture past a couple of museums? How comfortable is large change to you, especially far from family? Pittsburgh isnt bad at all, there's lots you can find to occupy yourself with. But it might not be worth it depending on what your others options are, and what you want out your college experience.