University of the People
About University of the People
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
University of the People is an online university in Pasadena, California, founded in 2009 and accredited by the DEAC. It bills by the course rather than by the year: $180 a course plus a one-off $60 application fee, which works out at roughly $1,400 a year at a normal pace and about $7,260 for a whole bachelor's degree. It enrols about 22,688 students worldwide in business administration, computer science, health science and education.
Founded
2009
Location
Pasadena, California
Students
27,748
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
33.5%
Below national average
Tuition
$1,400
Per year
Avg Net Price
N/A
Not reported
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
N/A
Not reported
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
$60
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
University of the People has open admission: it does not publish an acceptance rate and does not ask for SAT or ACT scores. If you have a high school diploma and can study in English, you can enrol. Applications are accepted year-round across five terms a year, so there is no single deadline and no early round.
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
33.5% complete their degree within six years
Retention
79%
4-Year Grad
8%
6-Year Grad
13%
Teaching Quality
27:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
N/A
$/Student
$0.2K
Class Size
Large
The 8% graduation rate is below average, but 79% of freshmen return for year two. Students are staying, even if completion takes longer than four years.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$1,400
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$0
After Financial Aid
N/A
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
N/A
Receive Grants
0%
Take Loans
0%
UoPeople bills by the course, not by the year. A course costs $180 and a bachelor's degree is 40 of them, so the degree comes to about $7,260 no matter how long you take over it. The $1,400 a year on this page is that same money at a normal pace of roughly eight courses a year: take fewer and you pay less each year, but the degree still costs $7,260. The university describes itself as tuition-free, and these fees are what you actually pay. UoPeople also sits outside the US federal student aid system: no Pell Grants, no federal student loans. That is why the debt, monthly payment, default rate and net price boxes are empty here. Those figures describe federal borrowing, and UoPeople students do not borrow.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at University of the People fund their education.
While in School
0%
Get Grants
Free money
0%
Take Loans
Must repay
N/A
Median Family Income
After Graduation
N/A
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
N/A
Monthly Payment
N/A
Default Rate
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends University of the People.
Gender
47.4%
Female
53%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
22,688
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
5,060
Graduates
N/A
First-Gen
N/A
Avg Age
72.9%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (47% women, 53% men).
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Midsize
Campus Quick Facts
22,688
Students
private
Institution
Large
Campus Size
Master's
Classification
What This College Offers
Other academic year calendar
Study Abroad
No
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
No
Career Counseling
Yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about University of the People
How much does University of the People cost?▾
Is University of the People accredited?▾
Can I get financial aid at University of the People?▾
What do you need to get into University of the People?▾
What is the graduation rate at University of the People?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.