Help with picking a college (CSUF, UF or USU)?

Im going on a student exchange and I need to pick a school that is a partner to my home school (Im from Australia)

My 3 choices are

1.California State Fullerton.

But I heard Fullerton is a bad area and the cal state system doesnt have a great rep I also heard that they dont have much student housing. I do however want to be in LA but I am worried being in place like LA i wont make as many friends (I dont know why i feel like a smaller town might be better for me to meet people)

2.University of Florida

Florida looks like fun and the school looks very into catering for their exchange students but im not as impressed with their journalism course

3. Utah State University

So far I have liked this one the most their journalism course looks great and their housing is phenominal... I also like the idea of a small town but im worried the area might be a bit boring

Can anyone confirm or deny my theories and tell me anymore about these 3 schools?