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
Ranked #4 of 15 in this directory
Career-focused online degrees backed by Purdue University
University of the People
Ranked #5 of 15 in this directory
Tuition-free accredited online university
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 Global | University of the People | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Bachelors | Bachelors |
| 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.
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