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 located in
Fayetteville, in the
U.S. state of
Arkansas. It is the
flagship campus of the
University of Arkansas System which comprises six main campuses within the state – the
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the
University of Arkansas at Monticello, the
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, and the
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. More than 26,000 students are enrolled in over 188 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. It is classified by the
Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. Founded as
Arkansas Industrial University in 1871, its present name was adopted in 1899 and classes were first held on January 22, 1872. It is noted for its strong
architecture,
agriculture (particularly animal science and poultry science),
business, communication disorders, creative writing, history, law, and Middle Eastern studies programs.