# How employers view University of Phoenix degrees September 09, 2026 • 6 minutes ![Elizabeth Exline](/content/experience-fragments/edu/us/en/blog/byline/by-elizabeth-exline/master/_jcr_content/root/container_copy_10389/container/image_2120429180_cop.coreimg.png/1715100957816/elizabeth-exline-headshot-360x360.png) Written by[Elizabeth Exline](/blog/authors/elizabeth-exline.html) ![Christine Neider, Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Science](https://uop.scene7.com/is/image/phoenixedu/chris-neider-headshot-360x360.webp?fmt=webp-alpha&qlt=70&fit=constrain,1&wid=360) Reviewed by[Christina Neider](/about/academic-leadership/associate-provost-christina-neider.html), EdD, Associate Provost of Colleges ![A magnify glass overlooking resumes with a University of Phoenix logo to signify how employers view University of Phoenix degrees](https://uop.scene7.com/is/image/phoenixedu/blog-hero-hand-with-magnifying-glass-and-uopx-logo-inspecting-resumes.webp?fmt=webp-alpha&qlt=70&fit=constrain,1&wid=700) It is the question that crosses every student’s mind at some point: How will my degree prepare me for my career? For University of Phoenix graduates, that question has a data-informed answer: Surveyed employers overwhelmingly rate graduates as career-ready and valuable performers in the workplace. Here’s why. ## Do employers take University of Phoenix degrees seriously? In a word, yes. Survey results indicate employers view University of Phoenix graduates positively, particularly for their job performance and career readiness. For example, according to an[online survey of U.S. employers](https://www.phoenix.edu/about/employer-survey.html), which was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of University of Phoenix in 2026[[1](#footnote)], University of Phoenix graduates consistently demonstrate above-average job performance. Consider the following findings among surveyed managers overseeing at least one University of Phoenix graduate compared with managers overseeing graduates from benchmarking institutions: - 98% have a positive perception of University of Phoenix graduates vs. 88% for other graduates. - 94% of surveyed employers rate University of Phoenix graduates as excellent or above-average performers vs. 79% for other graduates. - 74% say University of Phoenix graduates exceed expectations vs. 58% for other graduates. A variety of factors can affect overall job performance, from an employee’s technical skills to soft skills like being able to communicate effectively or to adapt to shifting demands. In recognition of those factors, University of Phoenix has committed itself to providing career-relevant education to working adults since its inception in 1976. The approach has subsequently prepared graduates with a strong foundation of both hard and soft skills, as evidenced by the following Harris Poll findings: - 95% of surveyed employers say University of Phoenix graduates were prepared with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed. - 91% of surveyed employers say the education at University of Phoenix enabled graduates to ramp up quickly in their roles, compared with 80% of employers who oversee graduates from other colleges and universities. - 90% of surveyed managers say University graduates are very or extremely prepared for their responsibilities, compared with 74% of managers overseeing other graduates. - 85% of surveyed employers say University of Phoenix graduates were job-ready when they started their roles, compared with 69% of employers who oversee graduates from other colleges and universities. - 85% of employers who oversee University of Phoenix graduates say they understand real-world workplace expectations, compared with 68% of employers who oversee graduates from other colleges and universities. According to The Harris Poll, employers also describe graduates of University of Phoenix as being more job-ready, adaptable, skilled and aligned with real-world workplace expectations than graduates from other institutions. Such job readiness may be especially attractive to individuals navigating a[volatile job market](https://www.phoenix.edu/blog/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-job.html). “We have long prioritized workplace readiness in our curriculum so that our students have a strong foundation for their careers once they graduate,” says John Woods, provost of University of Phoenix. “It’s encouraging to see employers recognize that preparation in our graduates, and it reinforces our commitment to providing an education designed for the workforce of today and tomorrow.” ## Who are University of Phoenix students? Education isn’t a one-sided affair. Students will get out of their degree program what they put into it, and that makes University of Phoenix graduates especially notable. After all, they are not typical college students. While many colleges cater to 18-year-old high school graduates who attend school full time, University of Phoenix focuses on working adults who want to enhance their career opportunities through education. According to the University’s[2025 Academic Annual Report](https://www.phoenix.edu/about/publications/academic-annual-report.html), 3 in 4 students work while enrolled in their degree program, and most are raising kids. The average age of new students is 38. This unique student body faces its own set of challenges and opportunities. On the opportunity side, the fact that most University of Phoenix students are mid-career means they come to class with real-world work experience that can inform their questions, discussions and insights. They are focused on practical, usable knowledge they can apply directly to their careers. In fact, 85% of recent graduates surveyed in 2025[[2](#footnote)]felt University of Phoenix helped them develop skills and knowledge that were immediately applicable to their careers. On the challenge side of things, working adults have many claims on their time and attention. These can include full-time careers, children and aging parents, among other responsibilities. Yet[University of Phoenix students persevere](https://www.phoenix.edu/blog/what-is-a-graduation-rate.html). In 2025, for example, institutional retention rates across associate, bachelor’s and master’s programs were solid: 72.9% of associate students, 79.4% of bachelor’s students and 79.2% of master’s students remained active in their programs.[[3](#footnote)]  ## How does University of Phoenix support career readiness? In order to provide the kind of career-relevant education its students require, University of Phoenix offers[skills-aligned curriculum](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-degrees/skills-aligned-learning.html)for its associate, bachelor’s and master’s programs. That means for every course credit a student completes, the student will have also learned one demonstrable skill. To identify career-relevant skills, University of Phoenix leverages labor analytics data. Additionally, the University periodically collaborates with its Industry Advisory Councils in which industry leaders and practitioners advise on workplace trends, best practices and relevant skills. Some programs also hold[programmatic accreditation](https://www.phoenix.edu/about/accreditation.html), which is separate from institutional accreditation and informs which skills are taught in a given set of courses. The University then considers this information to help shape and refine its programs. The University also awards digital badges to students for certain skills. Since digital badges contain metadata with information about how the skill was achieved and assessed, these badges provide a validated way for students to convey to employers which skills they have. ## How have employer perceptions changed toward University of Phoenix?  Sometimes the best evidence of an education is not the diploma or the grade, but the graduates themselves. With more than a million alumni, the University of Phoenix is represented across numerous industries and companies. Some are[leaders in their industries or communities](https://www.phoenix.edu/blog/success-stories-from-university-of-phoenix-alumni-luminaries.html). Others impress more quietly, their effort and skill earning the respect of their mentors, managers and colleagues. On this point, The Harris Poll results are clear. Of the surveyed managers: - 94% say their experience with a University of Phoenix graduate positively influenced their opinion of the University. - 94% believe the University understands employer needs. - 92% believe University of Phoenix aligns its programs with workforce demands. Such findings suggest employers do indeed respect University of Phoenix degree programs and graduates.  ## Why employers value University of Phoenix degrees Statistics tell only part of a story. To learn more about career-relevant education at University of Phoenix, explore its[online degree programs](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-degrees.html)or[request more information](https://www.phoenix.edu/request/request-information). _[1] Source: The Harris Poll online survey was conducted on behalf of University of Phoenix, June 4–25, 2026, among U.S. managers supervising at least one University of Phoenix graduate (N=204) and managers supervising graduates from benchmark colleges and universities (N=204).   _ _[2] Source: June–July 2025 UOPX Biennial Alumni Survey of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral alumni who reported graduating in 2024 or 2025 (1,542 respondents, 5% response rate). _ _[3] The University’s institutional retention rates reflect the percentage of confirmed students who posted their first attendance in the reported program during the cohort year (Federal Award Year July 1–June 30). A student is deemed “retained” if he or she posted attendance in his or her fourth class within the following time frames: (i) associate, 175 days; (ii) bachelor’s (non-CBE) 175 days; (iii) master’s (non-CBE), 210 days; (iv) Competency-based (CB) 133 days. A student in a direct assessment program is deemed “retained” if he or she was in an active enrollment status as of the census date of the second term._ Read more articles like this: [Understanding Leadership vs. Management University Life January 28, 2026 • 6 minutes](/blog/understanding-leadership-vs-management.html)[What Are the Admission Requirements for UOPX? University Life February 24, 2026 • 5 minutes](/blog/what-are-the-admission-requirements-for-uopx.html)[Success Stories from Luminaries University Life June 25, 2026 • 8 minutes](/blog/success-stories-from-university-of-phoenix-alumni-luminaries.html) ![Portrait of Elizabeth Exline](/content/experience-fragments/edu/us/en/blog/author_bios/elizabeth-exline/master/_jcr_content/root/container_1500021835/columns/responsivegrid0/image_2120429180_cop.coreimg.png/1707147904580/elizabeth-exline-headshot-360x360.png) ### ABOUT THE AUTHOR Elizabeth Exline has been telling stories ever since she won a writing contest in third grade. She's covered design and architecture, travel, lifestyle content and a host of other topics for national, regional, local and brand publications. Additionally, she's worked in content development for Marriott International and manuscript development for a variety of authors. ![Headshot of Christina Neider](https://uop.scene7.com/is/image/phoenixedu/chris-neider-headshot-360x360.webp?fmt=webp-alpha&qlt=70&fit=constrain,1&wid=360) ### ABOUT THE REVIEWER Christina Neider is the associate provost of colleges and former dean of the University of Phoenix College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Neider’s career spans more than 30 years in academia, healthcare and the U.S. Air Force. She has held several academic leadership roles at University of Phoenix, and she is the Vice President of membership for the Arizona Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. ![checkmark](/content/experience-fragments/edu/us/en/blog/article-vetted-blurb/master/_jcr_content/root/container_copy/container/image_2120429180_cop.coreimg.svg/1701890876580/differentiators-check.svg) This article has been vetted by University of Phoenix's editorial advisory committee.  [Read more about our editorial process.](/blog/editorial-process.html) ```html ```