Is University of the People Legit? Find Out Here

University of the People is a non-profit, tuition-free online university offering several degrees ranging from an associate degree to master's degree programs. It is nationally accredited and offers quality education for students looking to obtain an online degree.

All courses are asynchronous and student-led, which allows learners to work at their own pace and potentially finish their degree faster than they could at a traditional university. University of the People accepts transfer credits from all over the world, giving international students a chance to study at an American university without having to leave their home country.

Keep reading to learn more about its accreditation, degree programs, and whether a UoPeople degree is right for you.

What Is University of the People?

University of the People (UoPeople) is an American university that was founded in 2009. It is a non-profit institution that offers tuition-free degree programs in which students only pay assessment fees, drastically reducing their cost of attendance.

UoPeople is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a legitimate online university.

Students can obtain a bachelor's degree or even a master's degree at UoPeople. There are only a handful of degrees offered, such as computer science and business administration, but students have the ability to obtain a low-cost, accredited degree.

University of the People has many academic partners, including NYU and the University of Edinburgh. They also have corporate partners such as Google, Meta, and Pfizer to help their students secure employment after graduation.

Is University of the People Accredited?

UoPeople is nationally accredited by the DEAC and recently became regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). They accept certain transfer credits from accredited institutions both in and outside of the U.S.

UoPeople accepts up to 75% of transfer credits for an associate degree or bachelor's degree and up to 50% for a master's degree. However, if you are planning to transfer out of UoPeople, it is important to know that transfer credits will only be accepted at the discretion of the receiving university.

Attending an accredited university is important for receiving federal financial aid (such as the Pell Grant) and future career opportunities. Many employers only recognize degrees from accredited institutions, regardless of whether that accreditation is regional or national.

Does University of the People Offer Quality Education?

Yes, students who pursue a degree at University of the People will receive a high-quality education backed by a highly decorated faculty, with professors from institutions such as the University of Miami, NYU, and Columbia University.

In addition to the quality of education and faculty, UoPeople understands the importance of investing in their students. Every student receiving a UoPeople degree is assigned a Program Advisor at the beginning of their studies who helps guide them through their degree until graduation. This ensures that students take the courses they need and receive a high-quality online education.

What's more, real students rate their educational experience highly. On uopeople.edu, you can find a plethora of student testimonies, reviews, and success stories sharing why UoPeople was a great fit for their higher education.

What Can I Expect From a Degree Program at University of the People?

At University of the People, courses are self-paced. Online learners can complete a bachelor's degree in as little as two and a half years, compared to the typical four-year structure at an in-person university.

With programs in business, computer science, health science, education, and more, you can find a versatile degree that meets your career goals. Students can also pursue an MBA for as little as $4,860 — less if you bring in transfer credits.

Do Employers Recognize a Degree From UoPeople?

Most employers only recognize online degrees from accredited institutions, whether that accreditation is national or regional. Whereas there was once employer skepticism regarding online degrees, this opinion is trending downward as more and more students turn to online schooling, and degree quality proves to be excellent, no matter the learning format.

Accreditation from both the DEAC and WASC earns UoPeople trust with employers. In fact, many UoPeople graduates have gone on to work for major companies, including Apple, Amazon, Dell, and more.

Another pathway to employment after college is an internship. University of the People offers many in-person and virtual internship opportunities to set students up for success post-graduation.

Some UoPeople students also transfer to traditional universities to broaden their career options and exposure, but it depends on the receiving institution. University of the People has several partner universities, such as NYU and the University of Edinburgh, to which students can transfer and continue their education to earn a degree well-respected by employers.

Is a Degree From University of the People Worth It?

Whether or not a degree from University of the People is worth it is up to you, but there are many pros and cons to consider when deciding. Even a free university like UoP comes with some fees (in this case, exam fees), and it's important to choose your degree carefully.

Pros and Cons of University of the People

There are many pros and cons of attending University of the People. Considering all of these pros and cons can help you make a decision about whether or not to apply. The application fee for the University of the People is $60, so it's important to make sure you really want to attend before applying.

Pros of attending University of the People:

• The tuition-free educational model makes education accessible. In fact, 61% of UoPeople students have children, and 50% are first-generation college students. All that's required of students is having graduated high school or received a GED, demonstrating proficiency in English, and being at least 16 years old.
• UoP is supported by top institutions like NYU and the University of Edinburgh — respected institutions also accredited by the DEAC.
• Flexible online learning and sought-after degree programs (including health science and computer science) offer learners the opportunity to obtain a quality degree in their own time.

Cons of attending University of the People:

• Because University of the People is nationally accredited rather than regionally accredited, there are limits to where you can transfer if you want to change universities. They also only accept a certain number of transfer credits (only 50% for master's degree students).
• University of the People does not offer live lectures for in-person classes, which limits students' exposure to the traditional classroom experience. For some, this could be considered an advantage, but other students may prefer more traditional course formats.
• University of the People only offers a handful of degree programs, which can be limiting for current and prospective students.

Earn Your Degree Today

There are many online degree options for students. If you don't find what you're looking for at UoPeople, there are plenty of low-cost online universities that can suit your needs. Find everything you're looking for right here on Learn.org.