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.
Perfect Educational Opportunity I am continuing my education I began at a local community college. The enrollment and transfer process was very stream-lined and easy. The courses are easy to follow and I can see the progress I make in real time. This keeps me motivated.
I am a student at UoPeople. I noticed that you are actively responding to reviews on this website, while many registered students are still waiting for replies to their urgent inquiries, especially with the new term starting so soon. Could you please prioritize student support during this critical time?
As a non-profit, tuition-free online university, UoPeople operates with limited resources while supporting a global student community. We understand that response times can be frustrating, particularly as a new term approaches, and we appreciate your patience. Our team works hard to respond to both student inquiries and public reviews, and we are doing our best to address every request as quickly as possible. If you are experiencing an urgent issue, please contact us directly at [email protected] with specific details so we can address your concerns and work towards a resolution. Thank you.
University staff is just poorly trained AI. I got 3 terms in, asking constantly for them to confirm the address to send my transcripts, either no response or responses that told me to upload it on the website when I have to have it mailed. Professors and administrators alike use AI to do their jobs poorly while students are forbidden from using it. Don't expect anything but breakneck pace and no help. *an update after the university reply* The email they told me to send a message to is not monitored as I have several requests that have never been responded to. If staff is not AI, they are using AI to skim emails and not answering any questions. I have since withdrawn from the university after continued attempts to reach any sort of resolution and not getting any sort of response that bothered to provide any assistance. It should not take more than 6 months to confirm where to have a transcript sent *more than as the address has never been confirmed. To further respond to their edits. I sent a series of SIX emails to admissions, info, and payments that were never responded to. The responses "within 24 hours" completely ignored what I was requesting and failed to answer simple questions. I would upload screenshots of the emails that they never responded to if trust pilot allowed images. This university is lying in public.
We are sorry to hear that your experience has been frustrating, Madie. Our staff, advisors, and instructors are real people working to support students from around the world, and we understand how disappointing it can feel when communication does not meet expectations. We also understand your concerns regarding transcript submission guidance and response times, please email us directly at [email protected] with more specific details regarding your transcript situation so we can review your concerns further and work toward a resolution. Thank you. EDIT: While we understand your frustration, Madie, our records show that our team responded to your inquiries within 24 hours. As a non-profit institution serving students worldwide, we work hard to provide timely support while maintaining an accessible and affordable education model. If you have any further concerns, please contact us at [email protected] with more specific details so we can address your concerns and work towards a resolution. Thank you.
My experience at the University of the People has been overwhelmingly positive. As a working professional balancing teaching, tutoring, music instruction, and graduate studies, UoPeople gave me the flexibility to complete my Bachelor of Health Science without taking on massive student debt. The asynchronous format allowed me to study around my schedule while still maintaining academic rigor. I especially appreciated the diversity of the student body and the opportunity to collaborate with people from around the world. The coursework challenged me to become a stronger writer, researcher, and critical thinker, and it prepared me well for graduate-level education and professional opportunities. The affordability and accessibility of the university make higher education possible for people who otherwise may never have the chance to earn a degree. UoPeople is accredited by WASC and continues to expand its recognition and partnerships globally. Like any online university, it requires strong self-discipline and independent learning skills. Communication with advisors and administration can sometimes be slow, and I believe improving responsiveness would significantly enhance the student experience. However, overall, the value of the education compared to the cost is exceptional, and I am proud to be a graduate of UoPeople.
This University is pure filth. The advisors are absent and unhelpful when they do respond. The courses are ridden with AI slop from professors and peer reviews. Some professors are ok. But the majority are racist, ego maniacs. There is no consistency here. Some professors will give you superb grades and tout your writing skills and adherence to APA style. Others will find a reason to give you mediocre grades. Just because they can. The advisors will do nothing to help you. I finally had to drop my program due to all of the above. I can't be part of this disgraceful institution any longer. It's not worth it. I do not recommend this University to anyone. I will seek my graduate degree elsewhere.
We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations, Kat. We take concerns regarding faculty conduct, grading consistency, academic quality, and student support very seriously. Allegations of discrimination or unprofessional conduct are especially concerning to us and are not reflective of the standards we strive to uphold. As a non-profit American accredited university accredited by WASC, we are committed to upholding the same academic and integrity standards expected across higher education, including maintaining strong academic integrity and addressing the growing challenges surrounding AI misuse in online learning environments. We're sorry to hear you chose to leave the program. If you would be willing to share more details regarding your experience, please contact us directly at [email protected] so we can better address your concerns and work toward a resolution.
University of the people has brought a whole new world to my hands. I will be able to get a degree that without university of the people flexibility wouldn’t be possible for me.
Thank you for your kind words!
Only offer roselyn ai as an alternative. Not everyone has a device with the specs or stable internet to use. Also, not everyone wants to be forced to use AI. It’s often wrong and unethical.
Please know our mission remains unchanged: to make high-quality, affordable education accessible to students everywhere. Students who face unique circumstances that make Rosalyn difficult to use, including technology, connectivity, privacy, or accessibility concerns, will be able to continue using a different proctoring process. For additional guidance on this option, please reach out to your personal advisor.
Predatory bait and switch. Can't even login and no matter how you reply or what email you send something to (like the copy paste info email they reply with here) no one replies to you. This place is a scam. They take your payments instantly though. No ethics, no quality, and predatory application fees.
We’re sorry to hear you feel this way, Brendon. All information regarding our fee structure is openly available on our website, including our tuition-free structure which is available here: https://www.uopeople.edu/tuition-free/what-is-tuition-free/ As a non-profit institution, we have devoted our resources to lowering the costs of education, that said, we ask for minimal processing fees to help keep our university sustainable. We have contacted our team regarding your concerns, and you will be hearing back from us within two business days. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email us directly at [email protected].
The online MBA at University of the People is far more demanding than many people assume. While it offers flexibility, it is not an easy or passive experience. Success requires consistent engagement, strong time management, and the discipline to keep up with weekly readings, discussion posts, peer responses, and written assignments. The structure pushes you to stay actively involved rather than simply absorb information. What makes the program especially valuable is the level of interaction. Courses rely heavily on discussion-based learning, where students are expected to contribute thoughtful insights and respond meaningfully to peers. This creates an environment where learning goes beyond textbooks and becomes a shared experience. You are constantly challenged to defend your ideas, consider alternative viewpoints, and apply concepts in practical ways. Another standout aspect is the diversity of the student body. Learners come from a wide range of cultural and economic backgrounds, which turns every discussion into a global exchange of ideas. This “melting pot” dynamic exposes you to real-world business perspectives that you would not typically encounter in a traditional classroom. Overall, the program demands effort, but that rigor is what makes it worthwhile. It builds not only knowledge, but also adaptability and global awareness.
Thank you for your kind words!
Juggling two jobs, kids, and a CS degree in my 40s sounded crazy, but UoPeople's flexibility is priceless! I can literally lay in bed and do my reading since all books and resources are free. It’s incredibly affordable, the scholarship process was so easy, and support is great. Highly recommend! ✨
Thank you for your kind words!
The concept and affordability of UoPeople is what drew me to them and on that front they have not disappointed as I was supported from day one. There are some improvements that can be made with communication by tutors and other departments and some platform enhancements that will make it easier to navigate.
Thank you for your kind words!
I made a payment for a course and decided a few hours later to withdraw from the course due to poor communication. A partial refund was given and even after querying it had 0 communication to date I did send a mail to that email and still no resolution
We’re sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations. Please email us directly at [email protected] with more specific details so we can address your concerns and work towards a resolution. Thank you.
Can not recommend. Wish they would stop sending e-mails. Wish I had not given them money. But here we are, just pick something else.
We’re sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet your expectations, Thor. We’ll make sure you’re removed from our mailing list right away. If you have any additional concerns, please reach out to us directly at [email protected].
We’re sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations, John. Please email us directly at [email protected] with more specific details so we can address your concerns and work towards a resolution. Thank you.
It doesnt meet western standards of quality, if you are in the west (I mean in the broader sence, not just europe/the US) go get a degree from some other university. I totaly understand why Nigerians for example (they seem to be heavily represented) get a degree from there, and for that I respect UOP. (No dissing on Nigeria, its a matter of access in general though) I can't in good consiousness recommend it. It is by far the least professional university (I feel its odd that they are allowed to call themselves that) that I have ever dealt with.
We’re sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations, Jon. We're called University of the People because it's our mission to make high-quality higher education accessible and affordable to every person who's willing to learn. Our programs are accredited by WASC and are designed with input from experienced educators and industry professionals. If you have specific concerns you’d like addressed, please reach out to us directly at [email protected]!
I enrolled on 04/02/26 and have been waiting ever since to receive login credentials to the online campus and course materials. I was informed that it takes 24-48 hours. Then later informed of technical issues as to why I have not received anything allowing me entrance. I want to know what is really going on. I signed up for the Analytics course and every time I login it says complete my application but clearly shows I’m a student. Is this to be expected? It took my advisor two days to get back to me. When am I going to start this course? This needs to be looked into.
Hi Rene, upon checking your account, we can confirm that your login credentials were already sent to you. We recommend checking your inbox carefully, including your spam or junk folders, as the email may have been filtered there. Our team has already reached out to you directly regarding your other concerns. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email us directly at [email protected].
I have been trying to get help for the past month Every reply needs 2 to 3 business days. The replies are all copy past from a script My reenrollment fee was processed. They gladly took the money but failed to register me for any courses or fix my account
We’re sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations, Radi, please email us directly at [email protected] with more specific details so we can address your concerns and work towards a resolution. Thank you.
The "Chat Now" feature is down and you can't get urgent support. Advisors are being switched all the time because nobody wants to work here. Professors feel like AI sitting there and doing nothing. They glitched my scholarship to raise prices on me, and try to squeeze some extra, and then refunded 0. It's bad reputation to get a degree from here - and is bad reputation to get tortured by dealing with this low people, doing low quality work. Run away.
We’re sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations, Opinologo. The “Chat Now” feature is now operational, and any temporary delays are typically due to high volume. Additionally, our chatbot provider unfortunately experienced a system-wide outage, which may have contributed to the disruption you faced. Regarding advisors, we may connect students with the first available representative at times to ensure the fastest possible support. Our WASC accreditation reflects our academic standards and reputation. Also, our scholarship policies are not changed arbitrarily. All our academic and scholarship policies, along with other relevant guidelines, are publicly available on our website for full transparency: www.catalog.uopeople.edu If you believe there has been an error in your case, please reach out to us at [email protected] with more specific details so we can address your concerns and work towards a resolution. Thank you.
Imagine this. You have completed all your MBA coursework. You are in the final capstone course, you check the graduate catalog where it is clearly delineated that a minimum passing grade is 73. You’re in your last week and your grade is 76. So you’re happy, you have basically passed, so you make the final payment of 270 USD, just to lock in your final result. But then, suddenly, you failed. UoPeople updated its terms again. The passing grade is now a minimum of 80/B for the capstone. And your money? You lost it. This happened to me today. Before joining UoPeople, ask or check for the graduation rate/success rate. A lot of people here are concerned about the accreditation first. And while that is helpful to know, it matters very little if you’re not going to be able to graduate or if the university will go out of their way to keep you as a paying student, even if that means giving you a failing grade. Look, I already ran the whole race. You are not reading a review from someone who dropped out on their first term. I was at the final stage of final stages. I advocated for UoPeople all whilst being there. I recommended it time and time again to everyone I knew. But nobody tells you, nor guides you, nor reminds you of the technicalities behind their grading scale. The professors have a fiduciary duty to be reminding you, but they don’t. They leave you unto your luck. If you knew and checked it, good for you. But if you don’t, you will lose your money and nobody at the university cares. Do not enroll in this university, unless you want to spend your hard earned money indefinitely without ever graduating.
Hi Jorge, as previously communicated by your Program Advisor, the minimum passing grade for the Capstone course is a B-. Since you received a C (76), this is considered a failing grade for the Capstone course, even though the general passing grade for other courses may be lower. We understand how frustrating this situation can feel, especially at the final stage of your program, but all our grading, academic, and refund policies, along with other relevant guidelines, are publicly available on our website for full transparency: www.catalog.uopeople.edu If you have any further concerns, please email us at [email protected] with specific details so we can review your case and work toward a resolution.
The idea of an affordable, exam-based online college is excellent and could be very promising, especially for working adults. I came in with 3 years of prior college and over 20 years of hands-on computer experience, hoping to finish a degree efficiently. Unfortunately, the reality fell far short: Poor onboarding and credit transfer: No one called me after I signed up. The process was confusing, and I had trouble even finding the school in FAFSA at first. When I tried to transfer credits from my previous college, they wanted to charge ~$17 per credit — and after a full month, the credits were never transferred. Overly rigid intro classes: The first classes (Intro to Computers and a mandatory resource class) were far too formal. They required full APA citations for simple forum posts, with assignments losing 20% or more for missing citations. It felt like academic calisthenics instead of building real foundational knowledge and connections. Intro classes should help students get comfortable with practical skills, not turn basic discussions into mini research papers. Outdated and impractical content: The Intro to Computers textbook was from 2020 and barely covered real-world office technology, cloud computing, coding, or practical applications. There were zero labs. Many students just regurgitated textbook information or shared opinions that wouldn’t work in actual jobs. Heavy-handed AI policy: The program only used forum-based lessons instead of formal papers. If you used AI for grammar, spelling, or cleanup (even on your own writing), you had to explicitly cite it or risk being accused of plagiarism and potential expulsion. This felt insulting and overly punitive. Grammar tools and asking for writing suggestions have been normal for years. Rather than scaring students, the school should teach responsible AI use. Customer service responses are usually fast, but they often just explain away the issues instead of fixing them. Instructor replies could take 5 days, and basic problems (like credit transfers) lingered. I wanted an affordable degree I could be proud of, but the combination of busywork, outdated material, poor support, and adversarial policies burned me. I’m going a different route now. This school might work for some, but if you have prior experience or expect practical, efficient learning, read the negative reviews carefully and consider your options. I won’t be returning.
We’re sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations, Mark. We understand how important a smooth onboarding and credit transfer process is, and our team has already reached out to you directly regarding your concerns. Our introductory courses are designed to establish a consistent academic foundation for all students, including familiarity with academic writing standards such as APA formatting. While this may feel rigorous, especially for students with prior experience, these expectations aim to support long-term academic success across the program. Also, our curriculum is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current academic and industry standards, which is reflected in our WASC accreditation. In terms of AI usage, our policies are intended to promote academic integrity by ensuring that all submitted work accurately reflects a student’s own understanding and effort. We’re glad to hear that you found our response times prompt, and we regret that the program was not the right fit for your goals and wish you the very best in the path you’ve chosen moving forward. If you would like us to revisit any specific concerns, please reach out to us at [email protected]
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