I applied to, and was accepted into, their PhD program. After visiting, I turned it down because I knew I could do better. I did have a roommate who got all her degrees there and she liked it.
I spent a summer there as a visiting scholar. Loved it. Fine school. Extremely high cost of living. I paid $3000/month for a tiny one-bedroom apartment with few amenities on the 16th floor of my building. Lots to do in the City that Never Sleeps. Nice enough neighborhood around Columbia, but don't expect much in the way of living large unless you're rich.
Don't know the others very well on your list. Well, I've visited a some of their campus but I can't really say I have intimate knowledge of any of them.
Good luck.
