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Diverse students at the University of Phoenix

Equity and diversity at University of Phoenix

Respecting and appreciating our individual uniqueness is important. That’s why we’ve built a university for every kind of student. Our ever-evolving diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) efforts help ensure our entire community feels a sense of belonging with us.

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President Emeritus Peter Cohen

Student Experience

Our work in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging comes from a deep empathy for our students and a culture that we have built over five decades. From education and within the workforce, we are working with others to find real solutions that benefit society and benefit our students.

Chris Lynne

President of University of Phoenix

Our student body

Our students are remarkable anecdotally. Here’s who they are statistically based on the 2021 Academic Annual Report.

Total degree enrollment

79,345

71.4%

of our students report as women

36

is the average student age

60.5%

report as ethnic minorities

59.1%

are first-generation college students

79.7%

are employed while in school

85.8%

have dependents

Demographics

No college – 59.1%

Mother or father attended college – 26.8%

Both attended college – 14.1%

79.7% of our students are employed

22 and under – 8.1%

23 to 29 – 22.7%

30 to 39 – 37.7%

40 to 49 – 21.3%

50 and over – 10.2%

85.8% of UOPX students reported claiming dependents

34.65% African-American

​1.19% Native American/Alaskan

3.14% Asian/Pacific Islander

16.82% Hispanic

39.53% Caucasian​

*For FY23

Female – 71.4%

Male – 28.5%

Questions for the Office of Educational Equity

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See our work

Additional resources

The Center for Workplace Diversity

View research

University of Phoenix Careers

Browse careers

Employee Resource Groups

Learn about ERGs

Frequently Asked Questions

Equity in education ensures every student and faculty member receives the resources and tools they need to be successful. Equity, as opposed to equality, means providing opportunities that consider and address the disadvantages faced by underrepresented students. 

According to Achieving the Dream’s equity statement, examples of underrepresented students include, but are not limited to: 

  • Adult students
  • First-generation, low-income, students of color
  • Formerly and currently incarcerated students 
  • Foster care youth 
  • Marginalized orientations, gender identities and intersex students
  • Students with dependents 
  • Students with disabilities 
  • Students with second-language backgrounds
  • Undocumented students
  • Veterans

Equity in education is important because it aims to remove systemic barriers that students from underrepresented communities face in accessing higher education and determining their own paths to success. 

By eliminating structural inequities, each student receives the necessary support and resources for success. As a result, a student’s identity is no longer a deciding factor in their academic achievement. 

According to the National Equity Project, providing equity in education involves developing leaders who can transform educational institutions by: 

  • Discovering and cultivating each student’s unique gifts, talent and interests. 
  • Eliminating inequitable practices, examining biases and creating inclusive environments.
  • Making sure success and failure are no longer determined by a student’s identity.

University of Phoenix places emphasis on educational access and career readiness. Through open enrollment, we strive to serve an ethnically, economically, gender and age-diverse profile. We have many teams working to ensure all students have access to the resources they need. Our teams include: 

  • A Career Services Team
  • A Tribal Operations Team
  • Office of Military and Veteran Affairs
  • Student Financial Services 
  • Recognized Student Organizations
  • Office of Educational Equity 

According to the American Council on Education, diversity in education is important because the country’s racial and ethnic composition has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. Beyond race and ethnicity, a society's diversity can be shaped by a variety of other factors. Among other variables, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and disability are all factors to consider.

Diversity has many advantages in education and the workplace, such as increased productivity, creativity and cultural competency. If we want our nation to stay economically and socially healthy, all citizens should have equal access to resources that can help them succeed. 

For more information, read our article about why college diversity matters.