As the cost of higher education continues to create barriers for students worldwide, one online university is demonstrating how alternative education models can reach learners on a global scale.
University of the People (UoPeople), a nonprofit, accredited, tuition-free American online university, reports that it has become the largest university in the United States by enrollment, with 271,095 students from 216 countries and territories, according to its September 2026 enrollment figures.
The milestone reflects the scale of the university’s mission to make higher education more accessible to people who may face financial, geographic, or personal obstacles to pursuing a degree.
But UoPeople’s story goes beyond enrollment growth. A $1.48 million Gates Foundation grant, expanding technology-related programs, and initiatives supporting student completion are drawing attention to a larger question: How can universities make education not only more accessible, but more achievable?
For women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, that question is particularly relevant.
A Global Approach to Higher Education
Founded in 2009, University of the People was established around the idea that access to higher education should not depend solely on a student’s financial resources or geographic location.
Unlike traditional campus-based institutions, UoPeople delivers its academic programs entirely online, allowing students to complete coursework remotely.
Its offerings include associate, bachelor’s, and graduate programs across areas such as computer science, business administration, health science, and education.
According to the university’s official factsheet, UoPeople reports enrollment of 271,095 students across 216 countries and territories as of September 3, 2026.
The university describes this enrollment as making it the largest university in the United States. Because UoPeople serves an international student population, that claim reflects its reported worldwide enrollment rather than students located exclusively within the United States.
The model can be particularly valuable for working professionals, parents, career changers, and students living in communities with limited access to traditional universities.
For those interested in STEM careers, online degree programs can provide an alternative route to building technical knowledge without relocating or stepping away entirely from existing responsibilities.
Tuition-Free Education: What Students Actually Pay
One of University of the People’s most distinctive features is its tuition-free model. However, tuition-free does not mean that attending the university is completely free.
University of the People operates on a tuition-free model, although students are responsible for certain fees. Its published fee schedule includes a one-time $60 application fee and course assessment fees that vary by program and enrollment period.
Under its newer fee schedule, undergraduate assessment fees are $180 per course, while graduate assessment fees can reach $490 per course. Scholarships may be available to eligible students.
More specifically, the university’s published schedule lists graduate assessment fees of $430 per course for the Master of Education and $490 per course for its MBA and Master of Science in Information Technology programs.
UoPeople does not charge traditional tuition or fees for course materials, but prospective students should evaluate the full cost of their intended program rather than relying on the tuition-free designation alone.
Students should also confirm which fee schedule applies to their enrollment period and review available financial assistance.
For prospective applicants: The university publishes its current fees, estimated program costs, and scholarship information online.
A $1.48 Million Gates Foundation Grant Focuses on Student Success
Expanding access to higher education is one challenge. Helping students remain enrolled and complete their degrees is another.
On June 30, 2026, University of the People announced a $1.48 million grant from the Gates Foundation to strengthen student persistence, academic progression, and degree completion in the United States.
The funding is intended to support improvements in student support systems, data-informed interventions, and strategies designed to help learners navigate academic challenges.
This distinction is important because access alone does not guarantee educational success.
Students enrolled in online programs may still face obstacles involving time management, financial pressures, employment obligations, caregiving responsibilities, or access to reliable technology.
For institutions serving geographically dispersed learners, effective academic support can play an important role in whether students ultimately complete their programs.
The Gates Foundation investment also highlights a broader shift in higher education: measuring success through student outcomes rather than enrollment numbers alone.
Expanding Opportunities in Computer Science and Digital Careers
As technology reshapes industries, accessible pathways into technical education are becoming increasingly relevant.
University of the People offers degree programs in computer science, including options for students interested in developing foundational knowledge in programming, software systems, and related disciplines.
In March 2026, the university also announced a new online Certificate in Game Design.
The six-course, 18-credit program introduces learners to game mechanics, storytelling, prototyping, and development using the Godot game engine. It also includes a portfolio-oriented capstone project.
According to the university, the certificate is designed to offer a flexible introduction to game development, with credits that may be applied toward further study.
The certificate’s published fee schedule lists a $60 application fee and $320 assessment fee per course, for an estimated total of $1,980.
For students considering technology careers, these options illustrate how online institutions are developing multiple educational pathways beyond conventional four-year degree structures.
While a degree or certificate does not guarantee employment, affordable training can help learners develop skills and explore fields that may otherwise be difficult to access.
Why This Matters for Women in STEM
For women seeking to enter or advance within STEM fields, the availability of flexible educational programs can be especially meaningful.
Traditional university pathways may be difficult to navigate for individuals balancing employment, family responsibilities, financial limitations, or geographic barriers.
Online learning can offer greater flexibility, allowing students to pursue education while remaining connected to their existing communities and responsibilities.
University of the People has also highlighted women’s contributions to computer science and the importance of broadening participation in technical disciplines.
In a March 2026 article, Advancing Innovation Through Inclusion: The Strategic Role of Women in Shaping the Future of Computer Science, the university examined women’s contributions to computing and featured female computer science students pursuing their education despite personal and structural challenges.
The university’s published overview also reports 7,705 Afghan women enrolled, offering a particularly notable example of how remote education can reach women facing severe restrictions on educational opportunity.
These examples reinforce an important point: increasing women’s participation in STEM requires more than encouraging interest in technology.
It also requires access to education, supportive learning environments, professional networks, mentorship, and pathways toward meaningful career opportunities.
Online education cannot solve every barrier women face, but it can form one part of a broader effort to make STEM participation more inclusive.
What Prospective Students Should Consider
For anyone evaluating University of the People or another online institution, affordability is an important consideration—but it should not be the only one.
Students should review the institution’s accreditation, program curriculum, total assessment fees, graduation requirements, academic support, and whether a qualification meets the expectations of employers or other universities relevant to their goals.
Those considering technology-focused programs should also explore opportunities to build practical experience, develop portfolios, connect with mentors, and participate in professional communities.
For women transitioning into STEM, these additional steps can help connect academic learning with longer-term career development.
The university’s official website provides information about its degree programs, admissions, and academic model.
The Bigger Picture: Making Opportunity More Accessible
University of the People’s reported enrollment of 271,095 students—and its claim to have become the largest U.S. university by enrollment—reflect the growing scale of alternative models of higher education.
Its tuition-free model addresses financial barriers, while the Gates Foundation grant focuses attention on the equally important challenge of helping students succeed after enrollment.
Meanwhile, computer science degrees and newer digital-learning options illustrate how educational institutions can create more flexible routes into technology-related fields.
For women in STEM, the broader significance is clear: expanding access to affordable, credible education can help open doors that might otherwise remain closed.
But meaningful progress also depends on what happens after education—whether learners can access mentorship, professional connections, practical experience, and opportunities to apply their skills.
As the higher education landscape evolves, the challenge is not simply to enroll more students. It is to ensure that greater access translates into lasting opportunity.
Sources & Further Reading
- University of the People — Official Enrollment and Student Demographics
- University of the People — Gates Foundation Grant Announcement, June 30, 2026
- WSCUC — University of the People Accreditation Record
- University of the People — Tuition-Free Model and Published Fees
- University of the People — Game Design Certificate Announcement
- University of the People — Women Shaping the Future of Computer Science
Learn more about the university: University of the People
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Fems in STEM is an independent media and visibility platform covering women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This article is editorial coverage and is not sponsored by or affiliated with University of the People.
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