University of the People

University of the People is a nonprofit, tuition-free online university founded in 2009 to expand access to higher education for students who may be excluded by cost, geography, conflict, or limited local capacity. It delivers degree programs entirely online and serves a global student body. Its academic offerings include associate, bachelor’s, and master’s programs in business administration, computer science, health science, and education, including an MBA, an M.Ed., and an MSIT. The institution states that it has enrolled more than 150,000 students from over 200 countries and territories, making international reach a defining feature of its model. The university’s structure centers on low-cost access rather than traditional campus delivery. Students do not pay tuition, but they are responsible for application and assessment fees, with scholarships available to help cover those charges. University of the People highlights support for groups facing significant barriers to higher education, including refugees and other underserved learners. Its partnerships and transfer pathways are part of that access strategy; the institution has announced collaborations with universities and organizations including NYU, the University of Edinburgh, and the International Baccalaureate. Institutionally, University of the People is based in Pasadena, California, and operates as a distance-education provider. It is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. Its mission and program design place affordability, online delivery, and broad international participation at the center of the organization’s role in higher education.