University of Arkansas added to Walmart employee benefit program

Walmart is adding the University of Arkansas to its “Live Better U” academic degree program. Walmart began offering employees opportunities in 2018 to earn a bachelor’s degree while on the job. The program initially charged employees $1 a day, but it became free in 2021.

Registration opens June 20 to Walmart employees for the UA classes.

Walmart said in the five years since offering the higher education benefit, more than 104,000 employees at Walmart and Sam’s Club have participated in the program. In that same period, Walmart said it saved employees almost $500 million in tuition costs.

The LBU program offers a wide range of options starting with completion of a high school diploma, other certificate programs like business analytics and project management to college degrees in retail-related fields.

The retail giant also is expanding the program to Canada. LBU has expanded to include more than 70 programs since its inception, including the addition of more programs in high-demand areas like supply chain, according to the retailer.