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University of the People

Pasadena, CA

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

Private distance education university
Type
19,276
Total Students
$1K
Tuition (In-State)
$1K
Tuition (Out-State)
37%
Graduation Rate
6-year
79%
Retention Rate
Master's Colleges & Universities
Classification
President: Shai Reshef

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About University of the People

University of the People: Accessible, Tuition-Free Online Degrees for All.

University of the People (UoPeople) stands as a groundbreaking institution, redefining higher education with its unique tuition-free, online model. Established to dismantle financial barriers, UoPeople offers a global community access to quality academic degrees, making it an ideal choice for ambitious students worldwide who seek an affordable and flexible pathway to a brighter future.

Founded in January 2009 by President Shai Reshef, UoPeople emerged from a vision to provide a viable online alternative for students unable to afford traditional university tuition. Eschewing a physical campus, the university operates entirely online, with its admissions office based in Pasadena, California, embracing a fully distance learning approach from its inception.

Academically, UoPeople provides a robust curriculum, initially offering associate and bachelor's degrees in Business Administration and Computer Science. Its offerings have since expanded to include an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Education (M.Ed) in Advanced Teaching, developed in collaboration with the International Baccalaureate. Through strategic partnerships, such as with the University of Edinburgh, UoPeople provides pathways for its health science graduates to pursue further studies. The university utilizes an asynchronous online learning model, accommodating diverse schedules and fostering a global student body, including a significant commitment to educating refugee students worldwide.

Key Highlights

  • Pioneering tuition-free online higher education since its founding in 2009.
  • Enrollment of over 170,000 students globally, representing a diverse international community.
  • Offers Associate, Bachelor's, MBA, and M.Ed. degrees in key fields.
  • Committed to educating 35,000 refugee students by 2030, currently enrolling about 19,000.
  • Partnerships with prestigious institutions like the University of Edinburgh and the International Baccalaureate.
  • Launched UoPeople in Arabic in 2020, providing accessibility without English proficiency proof.

Timeline

2009
University of the People founded by Shai Reshef in January.
2009
First students began classes for associate and bachelor's degrees.
2016
Began offering an online Master of Business Administration (MBA).
2017
Partnered with the University of Edinburgh for health science graduates.
2018
Announced the online Master of Education (M.Ed) in collaboration with International Baccalaureate.
2019
M.Ed. program started accepting students.
2019
UoPeople in Arabic announced at the World Economic Forum.
2020
International Baccalaureate offered 80 scholarships for eligible M.Ed. students.
2020
UoPeople in Arabic officially launched.

Leadership

President

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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