The University of Arkansas is experiencing record-breaking momentum, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of Northwest Arkansas’ growth and innovation.
The U of A climbed into the nation’s top 100 public universities in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, with several academic programs earning national recognition. Supply chain management ranked No. 11 among public institutions, undergraduate business ranked No. 41, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing ranked No. 74 and undergraduate engineering ranked No. 96. These rankings reflect the university’s strength in areas critical to the region’s economy, from logistics to health care.
Enrollment reached a historic high of 34,175 students this fall, with record numbers across undergraduate, graduate and law school programs. A record number of Arkansans are enrolled, underscoring the university’s statewide reach. Since 2019, scholarship funding has increased by $7 million, and 98% of in-state freshmen have received awards in the past two years. Signature initiatives include the Land of Opportunity Scholarship, a $200 million campaign to expand access for students from all 75 counties, and the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship, which allows graduates of two-year UA System colleges to transfer at the same tuition rate.
The university’s enrollment growth is matched by rising student success. The six-year graduation rate has surpassed 70%, the first-year retention rate is above 86% and the fall-to-spring retention rate exceeds 94%. Nearly 7,900 degrees and certificates were awarded in the 2025 academic year, which represents an increase of 11.9% from the year before.
Research also reached new heights. The university reported $230.6 million in expenditures for FY24, supported by investments in state-of-the-art facilities, including the MUSiC semiconductor research and fabrication facility (opening late 2025), the Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Materials Innovation, the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I³R) and the Grady E. Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center (CEREC). With these resources, the university is pursuing an ambitious goal of $500 million in annual research in the years ahead.
As Arkansas’ land-grant institution, the U of A also generates an estimated $3 billion annual economic impact that fuels growth across the state.
Other Northwest Arkansas colleges are advancing as well. John Brown University welcomed the largest student body in its history this fall and launched a new professional flight program in partnership with Airo, while NorthWest Arkansas Community College unveiled a 25-year master plan, expanded athletics and secured federal funding to strengthen nursing and EMS training. Together, these milestones reflect the collective strength of higher education in the region, preparing talent and driving innovation that benefits communities statewide.
