University of the People Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Review 2026: Budget-limited students anywhere in the world who want an accredited US bachelor's and can study on their own.
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Our verdict
University of the People is the lowest-cost route to an accredited bachelor's in this guide. There is no tuition: the BS in Computer Science charges a $60 application fee and $180 per course assessment, about $7,260 in total for 40 courses (as of 2026-10-02), with grants and scholarships available. It is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, which lists it as Accredited, and it voluntarily withdrew its earlier DEAC accreditation as of December 31, 2025. It ranks third because outcome evidence is thin: it takes no Title IV federal aid, so it is not in College Scorecard, and we found no programme-level outcome data in the sources we checked.
Score breakdown
- Outcomes (30%)5.0/10
- Cost & Value (25%)9.0/10
- Academics (20%)6.0/10
- Support Services (15%)5.0/10
- Flexibility (10%)9.0/10
Scored per our review methodology.
Who it's for
Best for: Budget-limited students anywhere in the world who want an accredited US bachelor's and can study on their own..
Pricing
Tuition-free; $60 one-time application fee plus $180 assessment fee per course, about $7,260 in total for the 40-course degree (as of 2026-10-02)
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $60 one-time (as of 2026-10-02) | Non-refundable. |
| Undergraduate assessment fee | $180 per course (as of 2026-10-02) | 40 courses for the BS in Computer Science. |
| Approximate total, BS Computer Science | $7,260 (as of 2026-10-02) | Less if you transfer credits in; scholarships may cover fees. |
What the evidence says
- $60 application fee; $180 undergraduate assessment fee per course; bachelor's in Computer Science about $7,260 total; no Title IV funds (as of 2026-10-02). (University of the People: Fees (official))
- 40 courses, under two and a half years, no live lectures, $180 per course assessment, total about $7,260; transfer stated as up to 75% and up to 50% of credits in different sections. (University of the People: BS Computer Science (official))
- Accredited by WSCUC; previously accredited by DEAC, voluntarily withdrawn as of December 31, 2025. (University of the People: Accreditation (official))
- University of the People: current accreditation status Accredited; most recent Commission action March 24, 2026. (WSCUC: Institution directory)
Pros & cons
Pros
- Lowest total price for a bachelor's here: about $7,260 for the whole degree in assessment fees, with no tuition (as of 2026-10-02)
- Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), which lists it as Accredited
- Fully asynchronous with no live lectures, and you pay per course as you go
- Open admission for anyone 16 or older with a high-school education, proficient English and the Foundations courses
Cons & red flags
- Not eligible for US federal student aid: UoPeople says it does not receive Title IV funds, and it does not appear in College Scorecard
- No programme-level outcome data in the official sources we checked
- Its own CS page gives two different transfer limits (75% and 50% of credits), so confirm before you rely on transfer credit
- Accreditation changed recently: UoPeople withdrew from DEAC accreditation as of December 31, 2025 and now relies on WSCUC
How it compares
University of the People Bachelor of Science in Computer Science scores 6.6/10 in our online degrees evaluation. See where it lands in the full ranking: Best Online Degrees of 2026.
- Georgia Tech Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) review — 8.4/10, working professionals with a bachelor's degree who want an accredited computer science master's at a fraction of typical cost.
- WGU Bachelor of Science in Computer Science review — 7.3/10, self-motivated adults who want an accredited computer science bachelor's and can move quickly through material they already know.
Frequently asked questions
Is University of the People really free?
There is no tuition, but there is a $60 application fee and a $180 assessment fee per undergraduate course. UoPeople puts the BS in Computer Science at about $7,260 in total (as of 2026-10-02).
Is University of the People accredited?
Yes. It is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, which lists its status as Accredited. It was previously accredited by DEAC and withdrew from that relationship as of December 31, 2025.
Can I use US federal financial aid?
No. UoPeople says that because it does not charge tuition, it does not receive Title IV funds and does not take part in federal or state aid programs.
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