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University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit online university. Its courses are delivered through an online campus rather than a residential one. The university describes its mission as making flexible online education accessible to qualified students. Despite the common description “tuition-free,” students pay application and course assessment fees, so the total cost depends on the program and a student’s progress.
How does University of the People work?
UoPeople offers instruction online and has no dormitories, according to its 2026/27 undergraduate catalog. That makes it different from a conventional campus university: applicants should not expect residential housing or an in-person campus experience. Check the university’s current catalog for course scheduling, student services and the practical demands of online study.
The university’s scale figures are institution-published. As of September 3, 2026, UoPeople reported 271,095 students across 216 countries and territories, including 50,837 students who are refugees or internally displaced people. Those are AY2027 First Day figures, not independently audited enrollment estimates.
What programs does UoPeople offer?
The 2026/27 undergraduate catalog lists the following credentials and fields. It also lists Arabic-language offerings for some degrees.
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| Credential or field | Programs listed in the 2026/27 undergraduate catalog |
|---|---|
| Associate degrees | Business Administration, Computer Science and Health Science |
| Bachelor’s degrees | Business Administration, Computer Science, Health Science and General Studies |
| Certificate | Game Design |
This list describes undergraduate offerings in the reviewed catalog, not the university’s full graduate catalog. Confirm that the desired program, credential level, language and admission requirements are available in the current catalog before applying.
What does University of the People cost?
UoPeople is often described as “tuition-free,” but students still pay fees. The 2026/27 catalog lists a $60 application fee and a $180 course assessment fee for degree programs. The Game Design certificate has a $320 assessment fee per course. For students completing a listed program entirely at UoPeople, the catalog gives these estimated totals:
| Program | Estimated fees |
|---|---|
| Business Administration A.S. | $3,660 |
| Business Administration B.S. | $7,260 |
| Computer Science A.S. | $3,660 |
| Computer Science B.S. | $7,260 |
| Health Science A.S. | $3,660 |
| Health Science B.S. | $7,080 |
| General Studies B.A. | $7,260 |
| Game Design certificate | $1,920 |
These are catalog estimates, not guaranteed bills. They assume successful completion and can be lower when UoPeople accepts transfer credit. The catalog says estimates exclude repeat-course fees and certain third-party evaluation charges, and that costs may change. Before enrolling, calculate likely expenses using the current fee schedule, required course count, transfer-credit decision and any courses you may need to repeat.
Who accredits University of the People?
UoPeople’s accreditation page identifies the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) as its current institutional accreditor. The university says its voluntary accreditation relationship with the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) ended on December 31, 2025. Applicants comparing older webpages or references to DEAC should account for that date and verify current status with UoPeople and WSCUC.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11The university also says it is approved to operate by California and approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education to award degrees. UoPeople distinguishes this state approval from accreditation; they are not interchangeable terms. See the university’s accreditation information for its current statements.
Will a UoPeople degree be accepted?
There is no single answer for every employer, graduate school, licensing body or country. Accreditation alone does not guarantee that a particular decision-maker will accept a degree for a specific purpose. Before enrolling, ask the receiving organization or authority whether it will recognize the credential for the use you have in mind—such as transfer credit, professional licensing, public employment or admission to a graduate program.
UoPeople’s undergraduate catalog identifies a specific restriction: it says the university’s degree is not recognized in India by relevant educational regulatory bodies or for public employment in India’s government sector. The reviewed materials do not establish a general rule for other countries or receiving institutions, so verify directly rather than assuming acceptance or rejection.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do UoPeople’s student and alumni figures show?
The university’s factsheet reports several outcomes, but they come from different sources and should not be treated as independent validation or directly comparable measures. In its AY2025 Alumni Experience Survey, UoPeople reported that 85% of 2,420 respondents were employed and that 82% of those respondents said their current job was related to their program. Its AY2025 Student Experience Survey found that 94% of 11,703 respondents said they were proud to study at UoPeople.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe university also reported a 96% retention rate in AY2027 First Day data as of September 3, 2026. The headline figure does not itself explain the calculation, so it should not be read as a measure of completion or student success without consulting the university’s methodology. Survey responses describe respondents, not necessarily every student or alumnus.
Quick Recap
How to decide whether UoPeople fits your plans
- Check the delivery model: Decide whether fully online study suits your schedule and whether you need housing, in-person instruction or campus services.
- Match the program: Confirm that the current catalog offers the subject, credential and language you need.
- Estimate the full cost: Include application and course assessment fees, possible repeats, transfer-credit decisions and third-party charges.
- Verify recognition for your specific goal: Get an answer from the employer, school, licensing board or government authority that will evaluate the degree.
- Compare accreditation status and timing: Confirm the current accreditor and consider which status applies during your enrollment and when you graduate.
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