In part because the name isn’t NJ and the major sports are poor etc.
If you’re coming from out west, I’d look less at rank and more at comfort.
Are there significant differences between Rutgers and Oregon or Colorado or Oklahoma, etc.
I’d think not - and large flagships will mainly draw regionally (not all but most). If he has comfort not having many from home it’s ok - but I put little faith that the rankings move the life meter in most majors, especially one like philosophy.