The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) creates a significant positive impact on the business community and generates a return on investment to its major stakeholder groups—students, taxpayers, and society. Using a two-pronged approach that involves an economic impact analysis and an investment analysis, this study calculates the benefits received by each of these groups. Results of the analysis reflect fiscal year (FY) 2018-19.
Economic Impact Analysis
In FY 2018-19, UCA added $1.01 billion in income to the Arkansas economy, a value approximately equal to 0.8% of the state’s total gross state product (GSP). Expressed in terms of jobs, UCA’s impact supported 19,506 jobs. For perspective, the activities of UCA and its students support one out of every 85 jobs in Arkansas.