You’ve probably seen the ads or heard the whispers. A tuition-free university? Sounds like a scam, right? Or at least a "degree mill" that won't get you a real job. Honestly, when I first started looking into the University of the People degree, I was super skeptical too. In a world where a Harvard MBA costs more than a house, the idea of getting a degree for nearly nothing feels... off.
But it's real. It's actually real.
Founded by Shai Reshef in 2009, University of the People (UoPeople) was designed to flip the script on higher education. It’s an American-accredited, private non-profit, and totally online institution. But "tuition-free" doesn't mean "free-free." You still have to pay for application fees and assessment fees for each course. It’s cheap, sure, but it’s not a gift. You’re going to work for it.
The university has grown from a tiny experiment into a massive global community with over 137,000 students from more than 200 countries. That’s a lot of people betting their future on a digital classroom.
Is a University of the People Degree Actually Accredited?
This is the big one. If the degree isn't accredited, it's just a fancy piece of paper you can't use for anything. UoPeople is currently accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The DEAC is officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
However—and this is a big however—it’s not regionally accredited. In the U.S., regional accreditation is generally seen as the "gold standard." Think of the Big Ten schools or the Ivy Leagues; they all have regional accreditation. UoPeople has been a candidate for accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) for a few years now. Being a candidate means they are working toward it, but they aren't there yet.
Does it matter? Honestly, it depends on what you want to do next.
If you’re planning to transfer credits to a local state university, they might be picky. Some schools only accept credits from regionally accredited institutions. If you’re applying for a job at a Fortune 500 company, most HR departments just check if the school is recognized by the Department of Education. UoPeople passes that test. But if you’re trying to get into a top-tier PhD program later, you might face some hurdles.
What Can You Actually Study?
They don’t offer everything. You won’t find a degree in underwater basket weaving or 18th-century French literature here. They focus on high-demand fields. Basically, they want you to get a job.
The core programs include Business Administration, Computer Science, Health Science, and Education. They offer Associate, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees. For example, their MBA program is quite popular because it’s incredibly affordable compared to traditional business schools.
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The curriculum is built around Open Educational Resources (OER). This means you aren’t spending $300 on a textbook that you’ll never open again. Everything is online. Everything is accessible. It’s a lean model.
How the "Tuition-Free" Model Really Works
Let’s talk money. Because nothing is truly free.
UoPeople doesn’t charge for instruction. You aren't paying for the professor’s time or the "campus experience." Instead, you pay an application fee (usually around $60) and an assessment fee for every exam you take. For an undergraduate course, that’s about $120. For a graduate course, it’s closer to $300.
If you do the math, a four-year Bachelor’s degree will cost you roughly $4,860. Compare that to the average cost of a private university in the U.S., which can easily clear $150,000. It’s a massive difference.
- Total cost for an Associate Degree: ~$2,460
- Total cost for a Bachelor’s Degree: ~$4,860
- Total cost for an MBA: ~$3,660
For someone living in a country with a devalued currency or for a working parent in the States trying to pivot careers without going into massive debt, this is a game-changer. It’s not just a degree; it’s a lifeline.
The Peer-to-Peer Learning Curve
Here’s where things get a bit weird. UoPeople uses a peer-assessment model.
In a typical week, you’ll read the materials, participate in a discussion forum, and submit a written assignment. Then, you have to grade the work of three other students. And they grade yours.
Some people hate this.
You’re basically being judged by people who are at the same level as you. Critics argue this leads to "the blind leading the blind." If your peer doesn't understand the material, how can they give you a fair grade?
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The university does have instructors who oversee the process and can step in if a grade is totally unfair, but the bulk of the interaction is with other students. This builds a global network. You might be working on a project with someone in Lagos, someone in London, and someone in Los Angeles. That’s cool. But the quality of feedback can be hit or miss.
You have to be a self-starter. If you need a professor to hold your hand, you will fail here. There are no live lectures. No one is checking if you logged in at 9:00 AM. It’s just you and the portal.
Does Anyone Actually Hire People With This Degree?
Yes. They do.
But let’s be real: A University of the People degree isn't going to carry the same weight as a degree from Stanford or Oxford. If you’re applying for a high-frequency trading job on Wall Street, they might toss your resume.
However, UoPeople graduates have landed jobs at companies like Amazon, Apple, IBM, Microsoft, and Deloitte.
The university has a strong partnership with the International Baccalaureate (IB) and has received support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These aren't small names.
The reality of the modern job market is that for many roles—especially in tech and general management—employers care more about what you can do than where you learned to do it. If you have a Computer Science degree from UoPeople and a killer GitHub portfolio, you’re in a great spot. If you have the degree but can't code your way out of a paper bag, the school's name won't save you.
Why Some People Struggle With UoPeople
It's tough. The dropout rate is higher than at many traditional schools.
Why? Because life happens. Most UoPeople students are working full-time or dealing with significant life challenges. They’re refugees, stay-at-home parents, or people working two jobs. When you don’t have a physical campus to go to, it’s easy to let the work slide.
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The reading load is also surprisingly heavy. Since there are no lectures, you have to read everything. If you aren't a strong reader or if English isn't your first language, the workload can be overwhelming. Each course is only nine weeks long. It moves fast. You miss one week, and you’re basically drowning.
Misconceptions and Surprising Realities
One of the biggest misconceptions is that it’s an "easy" degree. It’s not. The curriculum is often adapted from high-level universities. For instance, some of the materials used in the Computer Science program are inspired by courses at MIT or Berkeley.
Another surprise is the quality of the volunteer faculty. UoPeople doesn't pay most of its instructors in the traditional sense. Many are retired professors or working professionals from top-tier universities who volunteer their time because they believe in the mission of "democratizing education." You might actually end up being mentored by someone who taught at NYU or Princeton.
That’s a level of expertise you wouldn't expect for $120 an exam.
Is It Right For You?
Let’s get down to brass tacks. You should consider a University of the People degree if:
- Debt is a dealbreaker. You simply cannot or will not take out thousands in student loans.
- You need extreme flexibility. You need to study at 2:00 AM after the kids are asleep.
- You are self-disciplined. You can manage your time without a professor breathing down your neck.
- You already have experience. You just need the credential to get a promotion at your current job.
You should probably look elsewhere if:
- You want the "college experience." No dorms, no football games, no frat parties here.
- You need heavy academic support. If you struggle with self-directed learning, you will get lost.
- You are targeting "prestige" industries. Big-law or elite investment banking still care deeply about school rankings.
Moving Forward With Your Education
If you're thinking about pulling the trigger, don't just take my word for it. The best way to see if you can handle the load is to try one course.
Check the "Course Resource Center" on their website. It’ll show you exactly what to expect. Look at the syllabus for the program you're interested in.
Before you sign up, do these three things:
- Verify your goals. Search LinkedIn for "University of the People" and see where graduates in your country are working. Reach out to them. Most are happy to share their experience.
- Check credit transferability. If you plan on finishing this degree elsewhere, call the admissions office of your "target" school and ask if they accept DEAC-accredited credits.
- Evaluate your schedule. Can you honestly commit 15–20 hours a week to reading and peer-reviewing? If not, wait until you can.
Education is an investment of time, even when the financial cost is low. A University of the People degree is a legitimate path for those who have been locked out of the traditional system, but it requires a level of grit that most traditional students never have to find.
Check the application deadlines. They usually have five terms a year, so you're never more than a few weeks away from a start date. If you're ready to work, the door is open. Just be prepared to walk through it yourself.