The aim of this study was to examine the impact of academic digital archives on scholarship and university status. Digital archives have played roles in strengthening scholarly research and developing innovative fields of study. This is especially prevalent in the rise of digital humanities and making work available through digital libraries and institutional repositories. However, research is still lacking on how digital archives impact higher education institutions when it comes to rising in institutional rankings to support and further stimulate digital archives programs. This study involved a multiple case study of 10 institutions awarded Research 1 (R1), or very high research activity ranking from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It was driven by archival science theories, digitization and information literacy frameworks, and change theories. The researcher interviewed individuals from each selected institution who could inform on the digital archive utilization process. Additionally, the researcher conducted document analyses to examine the robustness of the respective institutions' digital programs and alignment of the libraries' and universities' strategic goals. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The results provide findings to answer the overarching question: "What is the relationship between digital archives utilization and university status?" [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]