The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) creates value in many ways. The university plays a key role in helping students increase their employability and achieve their individual potential. The university facilitates new research developments and draws visitors and students to the state, generating new dollars and opportunities for Arkansas. UCA provides students with the education, training, and skills they need to have fulfilling and prosperous careers. Furthermore, UCA is a place for students to meet new people, increase their self-confidence, and promote their overall health and well-being.
UCA influences both the lives of its students and the state economy. The university supports a variety of industries in Arkansas, serves state businesses, and benefits society as a whole in Arkansas from an expanded economy and improved quality of life. The benefits created by UCA even extend to the state and local government through increased tax revenues and public sector savings.
This study measures the economic impacts created by UCA on the business community and the benefits the university generates in return for the investments made by its key stakeholder groups—students, taxpayers, and society.
The following two analyses are presented:
All results reflect employee, student, and financial data, provided by the university, for fiscal year (FY) 2018-19. Impacts on the Arkansas economy are reported under the economic impact analysis and are measured in terms of added income. The returns on investment to students, taxpayers, and society in Arkansas are reported under the investment analysis.