University of the People

Key Highlights

• Accredited by WSCUC, with a March 24, 2026 commission action
• Independent private nonprofit institution with no related sponsoring entity
• Entirely online, with five scheduled terms in the 2026–2027 academic year
• Established in 2009
• Does not participate in US federal or state financial-aid programs

Student Life & Environment

Student life takes place online rather than around residence halls, athletics, or a physical student center. The university states that courses have no mandatory live lectures, allowing students to arrange weekly work around employment, caregiving, and different time zones. That flexibility also places substantial responsibility on students to maintain a study routine, meet deadlines, and participate consistently without the external structure of daily campus attendance. Interaction is built into academic work through online discussions, peer review, and communication with instructors. Students are assigned program-advising support, and the student-experience site also points to Ask a Student and UoPeople@Communities as ways to connect with current students, graduates, and local networks. The value of these opportunities will depend on active participation; the experience is unlikely to resemble the spontaneous social environment of a residential university. Career-development resources are available through the student portal and learning platform. They include help with résumés, cover letters, job-search strategy, interviews, networking, and career planning. The Career Service Center is available during study and after graduation. Students seeking disability accommodations, academic assistance, or other support should confirm the relevant procedures and response times before enrolling, especially if they will study across international time zones.

Location & Surroundings

Although the database places the institution in Pasadena, University of the People is not a Pasadena teaching campus. WSCUC currently records its active main headquarters at The Mill Wilmington, 221 W. 10th Street, #109, Wilmington, Delaware. The university’s own FAQ makes clear that it is an online university without a physical campus. Students should not plan to relocate to Pasadena or Wilmington for classes, housing, laboratories, libraries, or campus activities. For practical purposes, a student’s study location is wherever they have dependable internet access and a suitable device. This removes a daily commute and lets international students remain in their home country, but it also means the university does not provide a residential setting or campus room and board. Learners must arrange their own workspace, connectivity, technology, and local living costs. Location flexibility is one of the institution’s defining features, particularly for working adults and students far from conventional universities. Applicants should nevertheless consider local internet reliability, time-zone differences when contacting support, and whether their home environment offers enough quiet time for recurring weekly assignments and examinations.

Costs & Career Outcomes

University of the People charges no tuition for instruction and provides required textbooks and course materials without charge. Students nevertheless pay a one-time, non-refundable $60 application fee and an assessment fee for each course. For students who saved their place on or after June 7, 2026, the published 2026–2027 undergraduate assessment fee is $180 per course. Estimated complete-program fees are $3,660 for the listed associate degrees, $7,260 for bachelor’s programs in business administration, computer science, and general studies, and $7,080 for the bachelor’s in health science. The 2026–2027 graduate catalog lists assessment fees of $440 per course for the Master of Education in Advanced Teaching and $490 for the MBA and MSIT. Estimated totals are $5,780 for the M.Ed. and $5,940 for either the MBA or MSIT. These figures assume successful completion without repeated courses and exclude possible third-party evaluation costs. Fees can change with notice, so current students should confirm the amount in their portal. Scholarships and university grants may help eligible students with fees, but the institution does not participate in US federal or state financial-aid programs. There is no university housing or campus room-and-board charge because study is fully online. Students must budget separately for internet service, a suitable computer, their own living expenses, and any payment or credential-evaluation charges. Career services provide résumé and cover-letter support, interview preparation, job-search and networking guidance, and major-related career planning. These services support preparation but do not constitute a placement or salary guarantee.