If you're considering taking online classes to further your education, no doubt the University of Phoenix has come up in your searches over and over again. Thanks to extensive advertising, it's one of the most well-known online colleges in the United States.
But is the University of Phoenix a good school? "Good" means different things to different people and online reviews are mixed. However, we can tell you that University of Phoenix carries the same regional accreditations that brick-and-mortar schools do, so you can consider it a legit school.
What is the University of Phoenix (UoP)?
UoP is a for-profit university that offers certificates and degrees through online and/or in-person learning. It is headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, but it maintains campuses through the United States. UoP has open enrollment, requiring students to have a high school diploma or GED to be admitted.
The school offers single-courses and certificates in multiple disciplines. It also offers associate's, bachelor's, master's, and and doctoral degrees. See the entire program list here (click on Degrees and Programs).
The school is currently owned by private equity firm Apollo Global Management.
Is the University of Phoenix accredited?
Yes, the University of Phoenix is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission. This is the same accrediting body that oversees brick-and-mortar schools within a 19-state region.
The current accreditation is good through the 2021-2022 academic year.
What do online reviews from students say?
As with any school, reviews are a mixed bag and largely depend upon the student's goals and expected outcomes.
On the plus side, general consensus seems to be the UoP provides a rigorous education. Many people claim that they received excellent instruction from qualified instructors and have advanced in their careers
On the minus side, there are quite a few negative comments about aggressive student recruitment tactics, financial aid, and difficulty with the online dashboard.
Should I attend this school?
Judging from online reviews, people who do well at UoP are typically non-traditional learners, for example, people who already have full-time jobs and have been in the working world for a while.
If you're considering going to this school, it's wise to ensure that you thoroughly understand your total cost of attendance through graduation, including books, materials, and fees. It's also a good idea to ensure that you're taking the appropriate class level. For example, if you're taking a computer science class, it's important to know what baseline of technical knowledge you will need to be successful in the class.
Finally, it's important to remember that your education is an investment. It's always wise to thoroughly research several different schools and programs of study before making a decision.