The Area/City: Located in the beautiful northwest corner of the state, the University of Arkansas sits in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. Hiking, biking, kayaking, lakes, rivers, and scenic trails are all nearby, making it an ideal setting for students who enjoy spending time outside. Northwest Arkansas is also one of the fastest-growing regions in the country and is home to major employers like Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt. The nearest regional airport is about a 30-minute drive from campus.
Fayetteville is a lively, walkable college town with a population of roughly 100,000. Downtown Fayetteville—and especially Dickson Street—sits right next to campus and is lined with boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, and music venues, giving the area a fun, energetic college-town vibe (you’ll find the school colors and mascot in most of the the stores and restaurants in the area, so the school spirit extends beyond campus). Fayetteville frequently appears on “best college town” and “best places to live” lists for its affordability, culture, and access to nature. While big-box stores are nearby, many students manage well without a car. Free public transportation and campus bus routes make getting around easy when needed.
The Campus/Students: Arkansas's campus is known for its rolling hills, green spaces, and historic architecture, including iconic Old Main. UArk has the smallest campus footprint in the SEC conference, so students may find that it feels more manageable and cohesive than some of its peer institutions. Most academic buildings, residence halls, dining, and athletic facilities are within walking distance—though the hills provide a built-in workout.
School spirit is a major part of life at Arkansas (be prepared to chant “Wooo! Pig sooie!” on your campus tour) with Razorback athletics serving as a centerpiece of campus culture. Football, basketball, and baseball games draw large, enthusiastic crowds. Greek life is also prominent, with about one-third of the nearly 29,000 students participating across 14 fraternities and 11 sororities, though there are plenty of other ways to get involved. Students can choose from hundreds of clubs and organizations, and involvement fairs help new students find their place quickly.
About one-half of the student population hails from out of state (the school offers automatic Non-Resident Tuition Awards to students from a set of neighboring states based on GPA), and UArk is generally seen as having a balanced political climate.
Housing is in high demand, and students are encouraged to sign up early; only about 25% of students live in residence halls, with most students moving off-campus or into Greek housing after their first year.
Academics: Arkansas uses a single-door entry admissions model, meaning there are no additional application requirements for specific majors—if you’re admitted to the university, you’re admitted to your major of choice, a growing rarity at many flagship universities. This includes business and engineering, which are not direct-entry programs! (Pre-nursing spots do fill quickly, so early application is important.)
The Honors College is one of the largest and most accessible in the country. Students may qualify for automatic entry (with or without test scores), and those who don’t initially join can apply later based on GPA and a résumé. Honors students come from all majors and benefit from smaller classes, priority registration, and enriched academic opportunities.
Additional academic highlights include undergraduate research, study abroad programs, and support for undecided students through exploratory studies.
Teaching Assistants do teach a large number of lecture courses, but approximately 40% of courses have fewer than 20 students. Overall, professors are known to be accessible, and undergraduates are encouraged to engage in research (which just takes asking, in many cases).
Academically, Arkansas is especially well known for:
Sam M. Walton College of Business, home to one of the top Supply Chain Management programs in the nation (marketing and finance are also notably strong)
Strong ties to the Walton family and Walmart (whose headquarters are just 25 minutes away in Bentonville) creating exceptional internship and career opportunities
The Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences is home to the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, a national leader in research on poultry epidemiology
A newer Fashion Merchandising major housed in the College of Agriculture
Architecture; the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design (offers a B.Arch degree along with other architecture options)
A first-year engineering program that provides exposure to all engineering disciplines, allowing students to make a more informed choice before choosing a major
Cost: The 2025-26 estimated cost of attendance was $33,000 for in-state students and $53,000 for out-of-state students, but Arkansas offers competitive scholarships and strong merit aid (even for out-of-state students).
Applying early is especially important for merit aid, housing, and competitive programs. The application opens July 15 on the University of Arkansas platform and August 1 on the Common App.
The University of Arkansas is worth a look for students seeking strong academics, SEC school spirit, excellent business and engineering pathways, and unmatched access to outdoor activities—all in a walkable and vibrant college-town setting.
Visit UArk'swebsite to learn more and see if it’s a great fit for you!