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 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 highest 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.

pledged $130,000 toward securing the university, a sum that proved to be more than other offers.

This was in response to the competition created by the Arkansas General Assembly's Organic Act of 1871, providing for the "location, organization and maintenance of the Arkansas Industrial University with a normal department [i.e., teacher education] therein." Classes started on January 22, 1872.

A public university is a university that is predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government, as opposed to private universities.

Whether a national university is considered public varies from one country (or region) to another, largely depending on the specific education landscape.