The University of Arkansas, often shortened to U of A, UARK, or just UA, is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Founded as Arkansas Industrial University in 1871, its present name was adopted in 1899 and classes were first held in February 1872. It is noted for its strong architecture, agriculture (particularly animal science and poultry science), creative writing, history, Middle Eastern Studies and business programs.

The University of Arkansas recently completed its "Campaign for the 21st Century," in which the university raised more than $1 billion for the school, used in part to create a new Honors College and significantly increase the university's endowment. Among these gifts were the largest donation given to a business school at the time ($50 million), and the largest gift given to a public university in America ($300 million), both given by the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.

Total enrollment for the fall semester of 2010 was 21,406, which represents the first time the University of Arkansas has enrolled more than 20,000 students, and their largest increase in enrollment since 1946. Of the 21,406 students, 3,771 (17.6%) are graduate students and 398 are law school students. 67%, or 13,282, of students were residents of Arkansas, 27%, or 5,389, were out-of-state residents (with Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri representing the largest out-of-state student populations), and 6%, or 1,164, students were from countries other than the United States. The University campus comprises more than 130 buildings on 345 acres (1.40 km2), including The Inn at Carnall Hall, which serves as an on-campus hotel and restaurant facility. Academic programs are in excess of 200. The ratio of students to faculty is 17:1. Tuition did not rise for the 2009–10 academic year at the University of Arkansas, thanks in part to a $1 million donation from the Athletics Department. The average tuition nationally rose 6.6%. On April 16, 2010, the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees announced system-wide tuition increases of 3%–6.9% to combat decreases in state funding and increased enrollments. The University of Arkansas flagship campus will experience a 4.8% increase in tuition and fees for the 2010–11 academic year.