People on this board are telling it like the N.E. Region is all of The East. You included N.C. and I would look towards University of Florida as well--they have more national merit scholars than any other university in the country.
That being said, in the N.E., it is good to have connections. People have lived in their same towns for generations and have lifelong friends. So, a fraternity is a must. Around the big cities there is crime and racism but I have found that Philly is the best city to avoid all of that. NYC is great if you've got money--but if you're not "in the system" or "pipeline" then the money will dry up. Boston is a little bluer in the blood, take that as you will. CT is about family, NJ is about family. VT is as liberal as you get. NH...I know nothing about them, same with R.I., is Brown there? Maine is great but they have charities there where they bring in black children to interact with their white children, so not a lot of flavor.
D.C., nah. Kind of a cesspool. Government is there but too much poverty, crime, and scammers. Again, if you're going here get in a good fraternity to get in with the good crowd (read: NYC, Boston people).
I love Maryland. The winters are crap, but not too bad. I love the food, accent and the people. Yes, The Wire has scared away many but just don't go to those neighborhoods. They're pretty easy to avoid.
DE is where banks go but not a lot else.
VA. Good mix here. You've got people that have moved from all over the US to be near the capital but still have the flavor of the south. Get's hot in the summer, cool in the winter and nice spring and fall. I like southern VA, if you're going historically black colleges, I enjoyed Hampton and feel that there are places for people who really want to succeed there. UVA has a great rep.
NC is beautiful. Longer summers, shorter winters, Mts, etc. UNC Chapel Hill may be one of the prettiest campuses in the US. Some racism but still better than NYC. Less pressure than the NE but has everything you would want in a college experience.
SC. See above with less prestige.
GA. Have you been to Athens, GA? Top 100 small towns in the country. Great place. Little hickish but very nice. No to schools in Atlanta--my least favorite city. Yes to Savanna Arts school. Try to live in a haunted house and remember there IS drinking in the streets.
FL. FSU is in the boonies and is really lower Alabama. Miami is a private school and is probably most like So Cal. UF is a great school and is very much like UGa but almost no winter.
Good luck.