I don't know anything about Penn State (although it is in a much more rural area than MCW) so I can't help you there.
But as for learning enviornment here at MCW, I think it is quite good. There are about 20 hours of class per week, leaving you enough time to study (if you want to be #1 in your class) or enjoy the area, sleep, watch TV, etc. You can get involved clinically as early as you want, and as much as you want. Exams here are taken in "blocks", about every 4 weeks, which allows for plenty of time (to relax) before having to bear down with the books.
Seeing you're from Utah, I'd say there is a fairly large (probably about 10-20 in each class)tight-knit group from Utah, so that can be a positive if that's something you're looking for.
Otherwise, I really don't know how to answer your question--would you like to know something more specific?