Arkansas Colleges Expected to Spend $279 Million on Athletics

Arkansas colleges and universities plan to spend about $279 million on athletics in the upcoming school year, with the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville's Razorback program accounting for the largest share at approximately $181 million. State law mandates that all state-supported institutions certify their athletic budget revenues and expenditures annually and clearly separate athletic fees from tuition and other fees on student statements. Eleven institutions, including the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, do not charge athletic fees and rely on other revenue sources such as ticket sales and contributions. The smallest athletic budgets belong to Arkansas State University in Newport and Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, with expenditures below $220,000. Other notable budgets include Arkansas State University in Jonesboro with $24 million and the University of Central Arkansas with $17 million. This comprehensive reporting aims to maintain transparency about athletic funding across Arkansas's higher education institutions.