Is University of the People Right for You?

Choosing the right university is one of the most important decisions you will make. It can influence your education, career opportunities, financial future, and personal growth. However, traditional higher education can come with significant tuition costs, fixed schedules, and location constraints that make pursuing a degree challenging, particularly for working adults, parents, and students with limited access to educational opportunities.

University of the People offers a different approach: a fully online, tuition-free model designed to make higher education more accessible to learners worldwide. Its flexible learning structure, international student community, and affordable programs appeal to people looking for an alternative to traditional higher education.

But is UoPeople the right fit for you? Understanding how the university works, what it offers, and what to expect as a student can help you decide.

What Is University of the People?

University of the People is a tuition-free, fully online American university founded in 2009. Its mission is to expand access to higher education for qualified students, regardless of their geographic or financial circumstances.

UoPeople is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The university offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration, Computer Science, and Health Science, as well as a bachelor’s degree in General Studies. Its graduate programs include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Education in Advanced Teaching (M.Ed.), and Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT). UoPeople also offers non-degree learning opportunities, including IBM SkillsBuild certificates and a Game Design certificate.

UoPeople’s learning model combines online coursework, instructor guidance, discussion forums, and peer assessments. Students learn alongside classmates from different countries and backgrounds, bringing a range of perspectives to the online classroom.

Who Might Thrive at UoPeople?

1. Those Seeking Flexibility

UoPeople’s fully online, asynchronous learning model allows students to complete their coursework at times that fit their schedules. This can be particularly helpful for individuals balancing education with employment, family responsibilities, or other commitments.

Students do not have to attend live lectures or log in at a specific time to study. Instead, they access course materials and complete learning activities through the university’s Online Campus. Courses follow structured academic schedules, with weekly learning activities, assignments, and deadlines.

This combination of scheduling flexibility and structured coursework can make UoPeople a practical option for people who want to pursue a degree without putting other responsibilities on hold.

2. Those Looking for Affordable Education

The cost of higher education can be a significant barrier for prospective students. UoPeople’s tuition-free model offers an alternative to universities that charge traditional tuition.

Although the university does not charge tuition, students are responsible for a one-time application fee and assessment fees for their courses.

For the 2026–27 academic year, the application fee is $60, and the undergraduate assessment fee is $180 per course. According to the current undergraduate catalog, the estimated total fees for a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration or Computer Science are $7,260, while the estimated total for a Bachelor of Science in Health Science is $7,080.

These estimates assume successful completion of all required courses and do not include additional costs that may arise from repeating courses or third-party evaluations. Fees may also change, so prospective students should consult the current university catalogs for the latest information.

By eliminating tuition charges and keeping other fees comparatively low, UoPeople aims to make earning an accredited degree more financially accessible.

3. Those Who Value a Global Perspective

UoPeople brings together a diverse international student community. The university currently serves 271,095 students from 216 countries and territories.

This diversity is reflected in the online learning environment. Through discussion forums, peer assessments, and collaborative learning activities, students engage with classmates who bring different cultural experiences, educational backgrounds, and perspectives.

For students interested in developing a broader understanding of global issues and working with people from different backgrounds, this international environment can be an important part of the learning experience.

4. Those Pursuing Career Advancement or Change

Whether you want to advance in your current profession or explore a different career direction, UoPeople offers degree programs in fields such as business administration, computer science, health science, education, and information technology.

The university’s programs provide academic foundations and opportunities to develop knowledge and skills relevant to these disciplines. However, career outcomes depend on several factors, including a student’s previous experience, professional qualifications, location, and individual career goals.

Student experiences offer examples of how a UoPeople education can fit into different professional journeys.

An Important Factor to Consider: Accreditation and Recognition

UoPeople is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Institutional accreditation provides an important framework for academic quality and institutional accountability.

However, accreditation does not automatically guarantee that every employer, university, professional licensing body, or country will recognize every degree for every purpose. Recognition requirements can vary depending on the institution, employer, profession, and country.

If you intend to use your degree for further education, employment, or professional licensing, it is important to check the relevant recognition and credential requirements in advance.

Potential Challenges to Consider

While UoPeople offers several advantages, its learning model also requires students to take responsibility for their academic progress. Prospective students should consider whether they are comfortable with the expectations of online learning.

Self-Discipline and Time Management Are Essential

An asynchronous learning environment offers flexibility, but it also requires students to take responsibility for managing their time and keeping up with coursework.

Weekly assignments, discussion activities, peer assessments, and examinations must be completed within designated timeframes. Students need to plan their study schedules, meet deadlines, and remain engaged throughout each academic term.

Those who are comfortable working independently and managing their own schedules may find this learning approach particularly suitable.

What Do UoPeople Students Say About Their Experience?

Student experiences can provide useful insight into what studying at UoPeople looks like in practice. The following stories illustrate how individuals with different backgrounds and responsibilities have incorporated higher education into their lives.

Jasmin G.: Continuing Her Education After Working Around the World

Growing up in rural Philippines, Jasmin G. experienced different educational systems and moved between countries as her family relocated. After earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Maryhill College in Quezon Province, she moved to Japan, where she worked as a caregiver.

Later, after relocating to the United States, Jasmin pursued further education and began working with a consulting firm as a pharmacy agent. To continue developing her knowledge in the healthcare field, she enrolled in UoPeople’s Bachelor of Science in Health Science program.

Jessica says: “I enrolled in the bachelor’s program because I found UoPeople to be a unique concept. I love that it’s tuition-free and flexible. My experience so far has been great. The instructors at UoPeople are very supportive, and I enjoy attending exclusive virtual roundtable meetings. The library resources are comprehensive and high-quality. The peer-to-peer interaction at UoPeople is remarkable. I deeply appreciate the quality of learning I’ve been receiving.”

Lauralee H.: Returning to Education While Raising a Family

For Lauralee H., pursuing higher education meant returning to a goal she had set aside for many years. After becoming a mother at a young age, she left high school before completing her diploma and focused on raising her three children and entering the workforce.

Two decades later, she decided to return to education and began earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at UoPeople while working full-time for a large healthcare system.

Lauralee valued the opportunity to pursue a degree while maintaining her professional and family responsibilities. Her experience highlights how a flexible online learning model can help people revisit educational goals at different stages of life.

Lauralee says: “I always dreamed of going to college, but becoming a mother at a young age meant putting my education on hold to focus on raising my three children. For years, the cost of higher education and my family responsibilities made returning to school seem out of reach. Twenty years later, I decided to revisit that dream and show my children that it is never too late to learn, grow, and step outside your comfort zone. When I discovered University of the People, its mission to make quality education affordable and accessible resonated with me. I enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program, which has allowed me to pursue my education while working full-time and remaining actively involved in my children’s lives. The courses can be challenging and fast-paced, but the instructors are knowledgeable and passionate, and I enjoy learning alongside peers from around the world. UoPeople’s flexible learning model has made it possible to balance my studies with my professional and family responsibilities. I hope my journey encourages others who feel that it is too late or too expensive to pursue higher education. Earning my degree is about more than a qualification; it is about fulfilling a lifelong dream and setting an example for my children.”

Ruben G.: Building a Career in Technology While Studying

Ruben G. was pursuing an associate degree in Computer Science at UoPeople when he applied for a position at IBM. After enrolling at the university, he was recruited as a System Service Representative.

Ruben credits the skills he developed through his UoPeople coursework with helping him secure the opportunity. His work at IBM involved communicating with clients, coordinating repairs, and advising customers on equipment operation and maintenance.

His story demonstrates how students can pursue professional opportunities while continuing their education, applying what they learn to their career development along the way.

Ruben says: “Growing up in a working-class family in Texas, I developed a passion for technology, inspired by my father’s interest in computers and engineering. Although I always wanted to study computer science, the high cost of college made that dream difficult to pursue. Discovering University of the People gave me an opportunity to change that, thanks to its tuition-free model and flexible learning structure. While earning my Associate of Science in Computer Science, I applied to IBM and was recruited as a System Service Representative. The knowledge and skills I’ve gained at UoPeople have helped me in my role, where I work with clients and coordinate repairs on various machines. My long-term goal is to become a Data Center Engineer and contribute to technological advances in fields such as medicine, AI, and quantum computing. I hope to use my education to advance my career in IT and give back to my community.”

Final Thoughts

University of the People offers an alternative to traditional higher education through its tuition-free, fully online model. Its flexible learning structure, international student community, and range of academic programs may appeal to individuals seeking an affordable way to pursue higher education while balancing other responsibilities.

However, it is important to consider whether the university’s asynchronous learning model, weekly deadlines, peer-based activities, and independent study expectations align with your learning preferences and circumstances.

If you value flexibility, affordability, and the opportunity to learn alongside an international student community, UoPeople may be worth considering. Ultimately, the right university is one that aligns with your educational objectives, career aspirations, learning preferences, and financial circumstances. Apply now!