Purdue Global vs University of the People

An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top online degree programs picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.

Purdue Global

Purdue Global

Ranked #4 of 15 in this directory

Career-focused online degrees backed by Purdue University

Paid
University of the People

University of the People

Ranked #5 of 15 in this directory

Tuition-free accredited online university

Freemium

Our pick: Purdue Global. Our editors rank Purdue Global higher overall in Online Degree Programs — but University of the People can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review

Compare the details

Purdue GlobalUniversity of the People
Pricing modelPaidFreemium
Starting priceSee websiteSee website
CategoryBachelorsBachelors
Editorial rank#4 of 15#5 of 15

Strengths

Purdue Global

  • Backed by the well-known Purdue University brand
  • ExcelTrack programs allow accelerated degree completion
  • Personalized learning paths based on prior experience
  • Generous credit transfer and prior learning assessment options

University of the People

  • Tuition-free with only small per-course assessment fees
  • Fully accredited by the DEAC with WSCUC candidacy
  • Open admissions policy removes traditional barriers
  • Globally accessible for international students
  • Partnership with top institutions for transfer pathways

Watch out for

Purdue Global

  • !Distinct from Purdue West Lafayette which carries more prestige
  • !Some programs have limited specialization options
  • !Student-to-faculty ratios can be high in popular programs

University of the People

  • !Limited program selection compared to larger universities
  • !Peer-based learning model may not suit all students
  • !Less brand recognition with some employers
  • !Assessment fees still add up over a full degree

Best use cases

Purdue Global

  • Working adults wanting a recognized university brand for their resume
  • Students looking to accelerate through material they already know
  • Career changers in business, IT, or healthcare fields

University of the People

  • International students seeking an affordable American degree
  • Low-income learners who cannot afford traditional tuition
  • Self-motivated students comfortable with peer-based learning

About each tool

Purdue Global

Purdue Global serves working adults with career-oriented programs in business, IT, healthcare, and criminal justice. As part of the Purdue University system, students benefit from the Purdue brand while enjoying flexible online scheduling. ExcelTrack accelerated programs let qualified students finish faster.

University of the People

University of the People is the first nonprofit, tuition-free, accredited American online university. Students pay only modest assessment fees per course. The institution focuses on opening access to higher education globally, offering programs in business administration, computer science, health science, and education.

Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.

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