# 10 facts about University of Phoenix

May 14, 2026 • 8 minutes
Written by[Laurie Davies](/blog/authors/laurie-davies.html)

Reviewed by[Christina Neider](/about/academic-leadership/associate-provost-christina-neider.html), EdD, Associate Provost of Colleges

For 50 years, University of Phoenix has made higher education attainable for working adults who wanted to earn a degree. It has pioneered online learning, broken down traditional barriers to college and landed in the news more than once. Yet questions persist regarding the University — and it’s time to answer them.

## What are 10 facts about University of Phoenix that every prospective student should know?

When it comes to 10 facts about University of Phoenix, here’s a favorite that’s not on the list: 94% of recent graduates in a 2025 survey* said they are proud to be a Phoenix. To find out more about what inspires such pride in their alma mater, here are 10 facts about University of Phoenix that address some of the most frequently asked questions online. 

## Is it hard to get into University of Phoenix?

Like any college, the University abides by[admission requirements](https://www.phoenix.edu/blog/what-are-the-admission-requirements-for-uopx.html), but it is not “hard” to get into the school. From the start, University of Phoenix was built on removing unnecessary barriers to a college degree. Its “open-enrollment policy” means that the University is accessible to most students who want to pursue a college degree.

University of Phoenix’s commitment to accessibility carries over to the application process, too. There is no fee to apply — and no essay, SAT, ACT, GMAT or GRE requirements. Applicants are guided from account creation to onboarding in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step process.

## Does University of Phoenix have an app?

A prospective student’s first questions might be: How long will it take to earn a degree, and how much prior coursework will transfer? 

There’s a University of Phoenix app for that!

The[TransferPath app](https://www.phoenix.edu/blog/can-college-apps-help-the-transfer-credit-process.html)allows prospective students to receive a personalized, preliminary understanding of which eligible credits could transfer to a University of Phoenix program — and how many more are needed to complete a degree.

The University is committed to being a transfer-friendly institution, so students don’t need to repeat coursework. As a result, students can transfer in up to 87 prior eligible credits for many programs, which can potentially get them 70% of the way to a bachelor’s degree.

UOPX even requests prospective students’ prior college transcripts for them, at no charge, when possible.

## Are University of Phoenix classes hard?

Yes. And that’s a good thing.

At University of Phoenix, academic rigor is a cornerstone of the classroom experience. A degree, after all, is something that must be legitimately earned. What makes the University different is that its programs have career-relevant skills embedded in them.

The University uses data from Lightcast, a labor market analysis company data institution, and input from employers to identify relevant skills and then build them into degree programs. Today, 100% of its associate, bachelor’s and master’s programs open for new enrollment are aligned with these career-relevant skills.

As students progress through a degree program and demonstrate their skill development, they may even earn digital badges in certain classes, which they can use to highlight — both to themselves and to potential employers — what they know and can do. 

## When do classes start at University of Phoenix?

No, University of Phoenix is not self-paced. It is, however, flexible — and not in the way that some schools might mean it (as in to get real value, students have to move fast and load up on courses).

Instead, University of Phoenix offers what is called “asynchronous learning” in most of its courses. This means students and teachers connect online but not necessarily at the same time. An instructor may post a video that a student watches a few hours later, for example.

However, just like in real life, students do have some time-based expectations. For example, one student might watch a video lesson on Wednesday, while someone else watches it on Friday, and both submit assignments by Monday.

A more self-paced program, such as the University’s[competency-based degree programs](https://www.phoenix.edu/competency-based-degrees.html), allows students with relevant professional experience to control how fast or slowly they complete four classes over a 16-week span. With faculty guidance, they set their own pace.

## What is University of Phoenix known for?

The answer to this could perhaps be its own list of 10 facts about University of Phoenix. But perhaps the University’s most notable characteristic is its students. At a time when higher education wasn’t built for adults, University of Phoenix (founded in 1976) helped change the game, offering flexible schedules and, eventually, pioneering online education for adults.

Many students thrived as a result. In 2025, University of Phoenix sought to formalize its recognition of some of its most illustrious alumni through its[Alumni Luminary program](https://www.phoenix.edu/alumni/luminaries.html), which honors 76 individuals each year.

And University of Phoenix continues to shape the higher education landscape. Its skills-aligned learning, digital badging, competency-based degrees and award-winning programs ensure students can access meaningful curriculum. The quality of that curriculum is further ensured by the University’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence and institutional accreditation. University of Phoenix has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC),[hlcommission.org](http://www.hlcommission.org/)since 1978.

Finally, time- and money-savings initiatives are important distinctives for University of Phoenix, which has not raised its tuition since 2018. Students can explore a variety of offerings designed to save both time and money, from community college transfer pathways, to[employer tuition benefits](https://www.phoenix.edu/tuition-financial-aid/employer-tuition-benefits.html), to credits for eligible work and life experience.

## What is a passing grade at University of Phoenix?

The minimum grade required for a student to earn credit and complete a course is a D.

However, some courses (e.g., in counseling, nursing, education and social work) have higher minimum grade requirements, and some programs also have higher minimum grade requirements (often a B or B-).

Here’s another way to think about it: A student’s grades factor into[overall grade point average, or GPA](https://www.phoenix.edu/blog/whats-a-gpa.html). Undergraduate programs generally require a 2.0 GPA or higher to stay in good academic standing, and eventually to graduate. Graduate and doctoral programs require a 3.0 GPA.

So, while a rare D in an undergraduate course might offer course credit, a student’s overall GPA will suffer unless a student demonstrates stronger academic performance over time.

## What degrees does University of Phoenix offer?

From associate to doctoral degrees, University of Phoenix offers more than 100 online programs aligned to 400+ real-world careers.

In addition to holding institutional accreditation, University of Phoenix also offers some degree programs that hold programmatic accreditation. These include:

- [Bachelor of Science in Business](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-business-degrees/business-bachelors-degree.html)
- [Bachelor of Science in Social Work](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-behavioral-sciences-degrees/social-work-bachelors-degree.html)
- [RN to BSN](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-nursing-degrees/rn-to-bsn.html)
- [Master of Business Administration](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-business-degrees/master-business-administration-degree.html)
- [Master of Management](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-business-degrees/management-masters-degree.html)
- [Master of Health Administration](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-healthcare-degrees/health-administration-masters-degree.html)
- [Master’s degree programs in Nursing](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-nursing-degrees/masters.html)
- [Master of Science in Counseling](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-behavioral-sciences-degrees/counseling-clinical-mental-health-masters-degree.html)
- [Doctor of Business Administration](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-business-degrees/business-administration-doctoral-degree.html)
- [Doctor of Management](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-business-degrees/management-doctoral-degree.html)

## Does University of Phoenix have a graduation ceremony?

Yes — and the University loves its graduation ceremonies! In the 2025 academic year, University of Phoenix held three in-person commencement ceremonies in Dallas, Orlando and Phoenix, as well as one virtual ceremony.

“Commencement is more than a ceremony. It’s a celebration of resilience,” says John Woods, PhD, provost and chief academic officer. 

Commencement also represents the University’s efforts to improve its student retention and graduation rates. While federal data tracks first-time, full-time students, 84% of the student body at University of Phoenix does not align to that category. Often juggling full-time work and family, the University’s students face distinct challenges on their way to completing a degree. Yet, in 2024, the institutionally calculated bachelor’s degree graduation rate reached 32.6% — the University’s highest rate since 2021.

## Go beyond 10 facts about University of Phoenix to learn more

The 10 facts we described about University of Phoenix are just the beginning. Explore[The Phoenix Post](https://www.phoenix.edu/blog.html)to learn more about how online classes work, who the University’s alumni are and how students and alumni can enhance their careers.

To learn more about degree programs, admission requirements and student resources,[request more information](https://www.phoenix.edu/request/request-information). 

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### ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A journalist-turned-marketer, Laurie Davies has been writing since her high school advanced composition teacher told her she broke too many rules. She has worked with University of Phoenix since 2017, and currently splits her time between blogging and serving as lead writer on the University’s Academic Annual Report. Previously, she has written marketing content for MADD, Kaiser Permanente, Massage Envy, UPS, and other national brands. She lives in the Phoenix area with her husband and son, who is the best story she’s ever written. 

### 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.

This article has been vetted by University of Phoenix's editorial advisory committee.   
[Read more about our editorial process.](/blog/editorial-process.html)