UNCF’s holistic, powerful study, “Transforming Futures: The Economic Engine of HBCUs,” makes it clear: HBCUs are economic engines in their Arkansas communities and beyond, generating substantial economic returns year after year.
HBCU faculty, employees and students produce—and consume—a wide range of goods and services, creating economic activity on and beyond campus. The result? More jobs, stronger growth and increasingly vibrant communities. Meanwhile, Arkansas’ workforce is bolstered by a steady supply of highly trained and success-oriented HBCU graduates.
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Arkansas Baptist College
Founded in 1884 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Arkansas Baptist College (ABC) is the only historically Black Baptist school west of the Mississippi River. ABC offers a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in business administration, interdisciplinary studies, fine arts, public administration, religious studies, and social and behavioral sciences.
Founded in 1877 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Philander Smith University is a private institution offering a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in social justice and liberal arts education.
Founded in 1886 (North Little Rock, AK), Shorter College is the only private historically back junior college in the U.S. Shorter College is a faith-based college offering a variety of degrees, with notable programs in general studies, criminal justice/law enforcement and administration, and child development programs.
Founded in 1873 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is the second-oldest public university and the only public historically Black institution in Arkansas. UAPB offers a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in biology, liberal arts and humanities, and physical education teaching and coaching.
