Online College in California: Earn a Tuition-Free, Accredited Degree
Live in California and ready to earn your degree online? You're in good company. More Californians study with University of the People, the first nonprofit, tuition-free, U.S.-accredited online university, than from any other U.S. state. Earn an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree 100% online, on your own schedule, without taking on tuition debt.
Yuan S.
Computer Science - California
#1 State
California is our largest U.S. student community
WSCUC
U.S. accredited nonprofit
university
Tuition-Free
A full degree from about $3,660 total
Why UoPeople
Tuition-Free
There's no tuition at UoPeople, ever. You pay only modest per-course assessment fees, so you can graduate with a degree instead of debt.
U.S. Accredited
UoPeople is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the same U.S. institutional accreditor that accredits universities such as UC Berkeley, UCLA and Stanford.
Built Around Your Life
No set class times and no commute. Study when it works for you, around your job and family, with multiple start dates a year.
Open to More People
No SAT or ACT required. If you have a high school diploma and proficiency in English, you can study at UoPeople.
You'll Be in Good Company in California
#1 state
California is home to more UoPeople students than any other U.S. state, about 1 in 8 of all our U.S. students.
88%
of our California students are 26 or older, working adults and career-changers, not coming straight from high school.
54%
of our surveyed California students are earning their degree while raising children.
26%
of our surveyed California students are the first in their family to attend college.
California students by age
Share of enrolled students
15-20
3.5%
21-25
8.7%
26-30
13.3%
31-35
18.7%
36-40
17.7%
41-45
14.2%
46-50
10.2%
51+
13.6%
Most of our California students are between 26 and 45, with the largest group aged 31 to 35. Whatever stage you're at, you won't be the only one balancing study with the rest of life.
California learners come to UoPeople from every background and every corner of the state, from Los Angeles to the Bay Area to the Central Valley. They're studying business, computer science, health science and education, with bachelor's-level programs the most popular. What they share is a goal: a respected, accredited degree that fits real life and doesn't come with a tuition bill.
Popular Programs for California Students
Ordered by California demand from our enrollment data — bachelor's-level programs lead, followed by master's.
BS in Business Administration
BS in Computer Science
BS in Health Science
Bachelor in General Studies
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Associate degrees (Business, CS, Health Science)
What a Tuition-Free Degree Actually Costs
At UoPeople there's no tuition and no charge for course materials. To keep the university running, you pay a one-time $60 application fee and a modest assessment fee per course, and nothing else. For California students comparing the cost of going back to school, that adds up to a fraction of a typical in-state university bill.
| DEGREE | ASSESSMENT FEE PER COURSE | APPROX. TOTAL COST |
|---|---|---|
| Associate | $180 (undergraduate) | ~$3,660 |
| Bachelor's | $180 (undergraduate) | ~$7,260 |
| MBA / MSIT | $490 per course | ~$5,940 |
| M.Ed. | $430 per course | ~$5,650 |
Is UoPeople Accredited in California?
Yes. UoPeople is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the regional accrediting body, headquartered in Alameda, California, that also accredits institutions such as UC Berkeley, UCLA and Stanford.
How to Apply
Why our students love us
Frequently Asked Questions
UoPeople is a tuition-free online university available to California residents. There's no tuition and no charge for course materials; you pay only a one-time $60 application fee and a modest per-course assessment fee.
Your degree. Your terms. Tuition-free.
Join the many Californians who chose UoPeople, and start your accredited, tuition-free degree online.
