Worth it
Cheapest University around. Has regional accreditation. Not a diploma mill, you will have to put in the work to earn your degree. Definitely recommend it.
About University of the People
Data updated- Website
- uopeople.edu
- Category
- Public & Local Services
- Location
- United States · Pasadena
- Status
- Unclaimed
- Last 12 months
- 101 reviews
- Replies to negative
- 96% (24/25)
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Is University of the People legit?
University of the People (uopeople.edu) has a 3.9 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 101 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Public & Local Services and its reputation is mixed. 24% of reviews are 1 star, a relatively high share; The business has replied to 96% of negative reviews. Last updated 2026-08-10.
What people say
Amazing place
Amazing place, giving an oppotrunity to people who have less money than others. Since they've got more accredited the prices went up, I can't continue my education that way, but if I'll ever decide that I really need an American degree - I might go with that one. Understandable interfaces, plans of studies, curriculums, freedom. Thank you!
Be Aware. Go Somewhere Else
Do not... I strongly repeat DO NOT apply to this "university". They claim to be tuition free but you so have to pay fees so they are not 100% free. The student services and advisors are not great either. I had no idea who my advisor was because I kept getting different responses for questions I had from different advisors! I had to withdraw from classes and few times (still within the alloted withdrawal limit) so I could help take care of my mother whose health is failing. If I had known how much trouble it would have been to try and re-enroll, I would have never attended this so called university in the first place. I've been told that I cannot re-enroll because my cgpa is below 2.6. Such a blatant and incredulous lie. I'm standing at a 3.33 cgpa right now so either they are sending bot messages or someone does not know how to read numbers on their end. Additionally, they said i am not considered a graduate because I have not completed foundations courses, but when I inquired about it and asked if I could be exempt since I hold a bachelor's degree, I was told I could be exempt. NOW they are telling me I have to take them to be considered a graduate AND ON TOP OF THAT they say I cannot re-enroll because of my low GPA (again I have a 3.33 cgpa and I didn't see any option to take foundational courses). I've been emailing them about either reimbursement or transferring my credit to another university. Surprise surprise...radio silence from the five "advisors" I had and student services. Also, how come you can't leave a review for them on Google? They locked reviews at 4.8. So shady. This is not a university.. please don't be fooled. They need to be reported to the better business bureau
Reply from University of the People2026-07-31
We are truly sorry to hear about the challenges you've faced, Alyssa, especially while caring for your mother. We understand how difficult it can be to balance personal responsibilities with academic commitments. Our team has already reached out to you directly regarding your concerns. We are committed to resolving your re-enrollment issue as quickly as possible and will follow up as soon as we receive additional information from the team handling your request. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email us directly at [email protected].
Quick Resolution! Great content!
I previously had an issue where I was unable to access my IBM Skillsbuild courses due to a technical issue. After reporting it, I was promptly assisted by Samreen on the Admissions Advising team and she helped resolve the technical issue and I can now access my program! I'm excited to get started and so far, so good! I'm very pleased with the assistance as well as the access to the Data Science program.
I completed my Bachelor of Computer…
I completed my Bachelor of Computer Science at University of the People while working full-time night shifts in aged care, and it was the only realistic path to a degree for me. Everything is 100% online and asynchronous, so I could study around my roster instead of the other way around. The coursework is practical and genuinely useful — programming, databases, data mining, and machine learning — and studying with classmates from all over the world was an unexpected bonus. Best of all, it's tuition-free with only small assessment fees per course, so I'm graduating completely debt-free with a strong GPA. Be aware that it requires real self-discipline — there are no live lectures and support is mostly asynchronous. But if you can manage your own time, the value is unbeatable. I'm now using this degree as a stepping stone to postgraduate study. Highly recommended for working adults, migrants, and anyone who needs education to fit around real life.
A long journey to college graduation
My experience was great because I was a college dropout for 15 years before finding UoPeople. They gave me hope to complete my college studies, which I started in 2002. I joined as transfer student and I was able to graduate with with B.S. in Business Administration. That degree is helping me on a daily basis, in m both my social and for-profit entrepreneurship endeavors.Thank you, UoPeople.
Not worth it anymore with the updated fees
They keep raising up fees for assessments with the excuse of "higher logistic costs". But the infrastructure is ridicolous in 2026, the website cannot even bear the load, countless bugs. Not to talk about the didactic material which is almost entirely recycled stuff you can easily find for free on the Web and also is very outdated (some "video lessons" of CS Bachelor Degree are more than 15 years old... in a field where every day new and better stuff comes up). I would even pay higher fees gladly but I want to see higher quality.
Reply from University of the People2026-07-08
We're sorry to hear that your experience hasn't met your expectations, Osvaldo. As a WASC-accredited American university, our courses and academic programs undergo rigorous academic oversight and continuous review to ensure they meet established quality standards. If you've encountered any specific technical issues, we'd appreciate the opportunity to look into them. Please reach out to us at [email protected] with the relevant details so we can investigate and share your feedback with the appropriate teams.
My experience at UoPeople has been…
My experience at UoPeople has been positive. The flexibility helps me study well, and the support keeps me motivated.
Virtual schooling that meets requirements
As a student at the University of the People, I can confidently say discovering this institute was a treasure find. Considering I had a plethora of responsibilities and was a bit rusty as it had being some time that I had been in an academic setting, I find them very refreshing and a great next steps to get myself the much needed degree I applied for.
A challenging but deeply rewarding…
A challenging but deeply rewarding growth journey My experience at the university has been incredibly rewarding, though it demanded a lot of dedication and hard work. What I truly appreciated was the high quality of the academic program, especially the technical courses, which provided me with practical and valuable skills. Balancing my studies with a demanding job was a major challenge, but the environment and the support from peers helped me push through and keep up during the most stressful times. If there is room for improvement, I would say that the coordination between work-study schedules and some administrative processes could be smoother to better support working students. Overall, it has been a profound journey of personal and professional growth that prepared me well for the future.
I graduated with University of the…
I graduated with University of the People with a bachelor's degree in Health Science in late 2024. The reason I gave 4 stars is that when you need help from your school counselor, it takes time before they can actually respond to your need. Going to groups via Whatsapp or Facebook would be faster to get your answer. But overall, I got to travel while I was studying which was a BIG PLUS for me. I didn't need to go to a physical school to finish up my degree
Flexible and Inexpensive
Flexibility for doing my coursework is great since I work full time and have a family. No tuition is an incredible value for a full online accredited degree. I highly recommend UoPeople.
Studying at the University of the…
Studying at the University of the People has been a flexible and valuable experience for me. The online format allows me to balance my studies with other responsibilities, especially work and family commitments. The course materials are well structured and easy to follow, and the learning platform is accessible from anywhere. I appreciate the support from instructors and classmates through discussion forums, which helps create a sense of community even in an online environment. While self-discipline is important, the university provides the tools needed to succeed. Overall, it has been positive academic journey that supports my personal and professional growth.
Exceptional MBA Experience: Quality and Accessibility at UoPeople
As a recent graduate of the MBA program at the University of the People, I am incredibly impressed with the quality and accessibility of the education provided. The curriculum is rigorous, relevant, and designed for real-world application. What stands out most is the supportive global community and the flexibility the online platform offers, making high-quality higher education reachable for everyone. The instructors are knowledgeable and provide constructive feedback. I highly recommend UoPeople to any prospective student looking for a professional and life-changing academic journey.
Being a student while working full time…
Being a student while working full time can be so challenging especially if you are attending on campus or even online. The University of the People gives a different approach to online education. For me it’s been a rewarding experience. My learning path is flexible which allows me to work full time and do my studies on my time away from work. The classes are structured so that you know what is expected for that week. You can plan ahead and keep on a learning path that is easy to follow. The one thing that really is surprising is the quality of education from a credited school at a very reasonable cost. Free online books and a library with so much information. I highly recommend University of the People for your degree program. Best choice I have ever made.
Proud to Be a UoPeople Student
I've had such a positive experience with University of the People. Transferring my community college credits was incredibly easy, and from the very beginning the process has been smooth and straightforward. One of the things I've appreciated most is how responsive everyone has been. Whenever I've had a question, I've received helpful answers quickly, and I've always felt supported throughout my time as a student. I also love learning alongside such a diverse student population. Hearing perspectives from classmates all over the world has added so much to the learning experience. I've had great professors who genuinely care about student success, and every course has reinforced that I made the right decision. What stands out most to me is how accessible University of the People makes higher education. I truly believe this is the kind of model that can help make earning a degree possible for people who might not otherwise have the opportunity. It's exciting to see the university continuing to expand its programs and innovate while keeping education affordable. Overall, I couldn't be happier with my decision to attend University of the People. I'm proud to be a student here, and I'm looking forward to finishing my degree and becoming a UoPeople graduate.
I joined University of the People…
I joined University of the People looking for a flexible, budget friendly way to complete my Bachelors degree while also raising a family. I couldn’t be happier with my studies, the flexibility, the cost and the support that is supplied. It is truly learn at your own pace!
Perfect University for my needs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Truly Accessible and Supportive University Experience** University of the People has been an incredible fit for me, especially as someone who needed a flexible and affordable path to higher education. One of the biggest advantages is the cost—UoPeople makes earning a degree genuinely attainable without the overwhelming financial burden that usually comes with college. The tuition-free model, paired with low assessment fees, removes so many barriers that keep people from pursuing their goals. The professors have been consistently pleasant, encouraging, and invested in student success. Even though the courses are online, I’ve felt supported every step of the way. They provide thoughtful feedback, respond quickly, and create a learning environment that feels both structured and welcoming. I also appreciate that UoPeople is **accredited**, which gives me confidence in the value of the degree I’m working toward. The curriculum is well-organized, relevant, and designed to build real-world skills. Each course feels purposeful, and the weekly assignments keep me engaged without being overwhelming. If you’re looking for an affordable, accredited, and genuinely supportive online university, University of the People is absolutely worth considering. It’s opened doors for me that I didn’t think were possible.
Is the University of the People using the IBM SkillsBuild Online Certificate Programs as a way to deceive students and charge an account creation?
This is my current situation, I paid the application with them after seeing those adds about the free certificates and the course is not available to me. When creating a new account, the "Program Requested" field in the form, only shows three options: -2 Years -Associate Degree (AS) -4 Years- Bachelors Degree (BS) -Master Degree If you are like me, and you select one of those hoping to update it later, that would not ever be possible, nor manually or contacting Admissions. Edit: I'm glad that after my review they were able to correct this in two days, after I had been writing to support for months. I would have added the screenshot here if it had been possible, to make this review I created a new account using incognito with a different email and also provided different values in the form fields, so I can confirm that it was a bug.
Reply from University of the People2026-06-24
Hi Lorena! We can confirm that the IBM SkillsBuild Certificate Program option is currently available on the application page: https://apply.uopeople.edu/ You may have already paid the application fee for a degree program, which is why the IBM SkillsBuild option is no longer visible in your current application. If you are interested in the IBM SkillsBuild Certificate Program, you can create a new application and select the IBM program option during the application process or email us directly at [email protected], and a member of our Admissions team will be happy to assist you.
This education helped me get a better job
This is an update to another review I left a while ago and only after posting I was made aware I already reviewed them. I have been a part-time student with University of the People for over four years. Yes, that may sound like a long time, but it allowed me to keep working while studying during the limited free time I had. One step at a time, I was able to earn my Associate’s degree last year, and I am now continuing toward my Bachelor’s degree. I have seen many negative reviews, especially since UoPeople introduced AI proctoring. Personally, I think this is a good step because it helps reduce the number of people who try to take advantage of an online institution. My own experience has been nothing but pleasant. UoPeople is a non-profit university. It accepts almost anyone who is willing to study, and its diploma now has more visibility than it did in the past. Even if someone is not only focused on getting a diploma, but simply wants to keep learning later in life, the education itself is worth the low cost. In my opinion, anyone who complains that a little over $100 is too much for a course must be living in a very unrealistic world. The good: the education, which is the main reason we are here. The bad: some unfair work from certain students, although I believe this is slowly being addressed. In my experience, communication with my professors has been very positive. I actually owe my current job to one of them. That professor noticed what they called a “hidden talent” in me and encouraged me to look for work related to what I was studying. I followed that advice, and it helped me move into a better job connected to my field.