MPHApplicant92-
I lived in Newport for three years and love Rhode Island. I also lived in Massachusetts for three years right after. (Both were duty stations in the military) Where are you from? If you have the opportunity to visit, I would highly recommend it. Providence is not that great, but it isn't that bad. For a small city there are a lot of fun things to do there, and you aren't that far from Boston if you want to go up. For me, the choice would be Brown, no questions asked!
How much was your merit scholarship at BU and what program were you accepted to there?
Good luck with your decision