An Alternative to the Ivory Tower: University of the People is the New Model for Higher Education

Higher education is at an interesting crossroads. The student loan crisis, astronomical tuition rates, a new generation of students questioning the value of higher education, and cultural shifts all paired with a tumultuous political climate lead many to question what the future of higher education will look like. In fact, there’s a clear need for a change with few new options on the table. However, the University of the People (UoPeople), is positioning itself to lead an education revolution, envisioning a world where more people have access to higher education regardless of status, finances, location, or personal circumstances. 

Founded in 2009 and accredited in February 2014, UoPeople is a non-profit, tuition-free, accredited, American online university. This pioneer in higher education is committed to expanding educational access across the globe, helping students find success and purpose while overcoming financial, geographical, and political constraints that might hold them back from their college studies. 

UoPeople offers flexible, affordable, online accredited degree-granting programs that help students pave pathways to lead more successful and fulfilling lives as individuals and members of a global society. Prospective students can consider various certificates, associate, and bachelor’s degree programs in Business Administration, Computer Science, and Health Science, as well as master’s degree programs in Business Administration, Information Technology, and Education. 

The range of programs UoPeople has to offer their students is secondary to the fact that UoPeople can provide these opportunities for higher education specifically for students from diverse backgrounds because of the way the school is designed. As a fully online university, UoPeople eliminates geographic barriers some students might face when seeking to further their education. For those students struggling financially, UoPeople offers programs at minimal costs, as well as an impressive range of financial assistance options to ensure more students can have access to a college degree, leveling the playing fields of an inequitable game in higher education. 

UoPeople is on a mission to make higher education more accessible without sacrificing the quality of education offered to every qualified student they invite to walk through their digital doors. The programs offered by UoPeople are continuously improved through regular outcome assessments and external reviews, guaranteeing the highest quality of education is provided.

This university also maintains high academic standards for its students, ensuring they can understand and apply the knowledge and skills needed to survive in competitive job markets. Despite being an online university, UoPeople still focuses on promoting a culture of shared learning through collaboration and peer-to-peer teaching and assessment, making sure virtual barriers do not hinder future success.

UoPeople can back up its innovative approach to education with facts. According to a new independent economic report, the “University of the People’s return on investment (ROI) for a bachelor’s degree is 30 times higher than the average cost of earning a bachelor’s degree in the U.S.” With UoPeople, students can earn a strong education without creating debt that will last their lifetime. 

While higher education is certainly important, the struggle between its intrinsic value and tangible value has raised concerns for prospective students. With UoPeople’s graduates showing a higher ROI (about $250 for every $1 spent), the often-questionable value and barriers students from diverse backgrounds face almost disappear—leaving gateways open to make dreams come true. 

This story was first published in msn.com on May 15, 2024