Bentonville, Arkansas, long known as the birthplace of Walmart, is on the verge of becoming a hub for cutting-edge education and technological innovation. Steuart and Tom Walton, grandsons of Walmart founder Sam Walton, are launching an ambitious project that reimagines the future of higher education. Their vision? A new private STEM-focused university designed to equip students with the skills necessary for the rapidly evolving demands of the modern workforce.
The university, which will be situated on the site of Walmart’s original headquarters near downtown Bentonville, is set to break new ground in how education meets industry needs. With a curriculum focused on automation, logistics, biotechnology, and computing, Walton’s STEM University aims to bridge the gap between traditional academic learning and real-world applications. This is not just about acquiring knowledge—it’s about mastering the skills required to thrive in sectors that are driving the future of global innovation.
The inaugural undergraduate class is expected to welcome around 500 students, with plans to expand to approximately 1,500 undergraduates and 500 non-degree learners in the coming years. Unlike conventional universities, Walton’s STEM University is embracing a modern educational model that prioritizes flexible, stackable credentials. This design allows students to progress through their studies in a way that best suits their career goals and personal circumstances, empowering them to enter the workforce with practical, job-ready expertise.
This groundbreaking initiative is part of the Walton family’s larger commitment to transforming Northwest Arkansas into a beacon of innovation and economic growth. Over the past two decades, the Walton family has invested significantly in the region—funding world-class art museums, a medical school, wellness centers, and infrastructure projects that have redefined the community landscape. Now, with the introduction of a world-class STEM university, they are setting the stage for Bentonville to become a national leader in technology and education.
Steuart Walton highlighted the need for higher education to evolve alongside technological advances. “We have the opportunity to build a new model of higher education, designed for the realities of today’s economy and the challenges of tomorrow,” he remarked. His brother, Tom Walton, echoed this sentiment with a nod to their family’s legacy: “Our grandad, Sam Walton, built Walmart from Bentonville. There’s no reason the next great enterprise can’t rise from here, too.”
The vision for Walton’s STEM University is clear: it’s not just about keeping up with the times—it’s about leading the way. By offering programs tailored to the most in-demand fields and emphasizing learning pathways that adapt to technological shifts, the institution is setting a new standard for what higher education can achieve. More than just a university, it represents a forward-thinking approach to education—one that prepares students not just to participate in the modern economy, but to drive it.
In an era where technology and innovation are reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, Walton’s STEM University stands as a bold declaration that the heartland of America can be a cradle for technological leadership. From its roots in retail to its new ambitions in education, Bentonville is proving that with vision and commitment, the future can be built right at home.
