Arkansas' stadium is impressive. They have a ton of Luxury suites and it is in a really, really nice part of the country.
But, they will severely limit his choice of academic programs and the student body does not come close to Iowa's. Ark is dead last in college attendance and dead last of close in a number of other important social categories, such as number of state representatives with a college degree, obesity, diabetes, income...
Reminds me of the quip...given Arkansas's being ranked 49th in a many categories...What's Arkansas's state motto? "Thank God for Mississippi".
Some things Jordan and his mom might want to consider when comparing the quality of the schools:
US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT ranking of Top Public Schools;
The University of Iowa #29
The University of Arkansas #66
Business Week's ranking of the top undergraduate business programs;
The University of Iowa 84th
The University of Arkansas 88th
US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT rankings of best business programs;
The University of Iowa 40th
The University of Arkansas 51st
Iowa graduated 79% of it's football players in 2010. The third best graduation rate in the Big Ten conference. Arkansas, in 2010 graduated only 55% of it's players. The second worst graduation rate in it's conference and among the worst of any bowl team. Only 45% of Arkansas's African-American football players graduated.
So, Iowa is ranked marginally or significantly above Arkansas as an overall undergraduate institution and also in the area that Jordan would like to major in. But, if a player does not graduate it's irrelevant how good the school is that he attended. Iowa not only graduates it's football players at a significantly higher rate than Arkansas but also above the national average. So, not only are Iowa players benefiting from attending a higher ranked school than Arkansas but, they are also graduating from it at a significantly higher rate.
