271,000 Students. Zero Tuition. A Remarkable Rise to the Top of U.S. Higher Education.
Pasadena, CA (PRUnderground) September 9th, 2026
It is official: there is a new heavyweight in American higher education, and it does not even have a campus. University of the People (UoPeople), the tuition-free, accessible and high quality online university has climbed become the largest university in the United States with a striking 271,095 students strong and still climbing.
UoPeople did not just crack the top of the list, it rewrote it. Growing from an idea hatched by its founder Shai Reshef in 2009 into the single largest force in American higher education, all while staying with the tuition-free model.
Founded by entrepreneur and higher-ed disruptor Shai Reshef, UoPeople now serves a global community of learners in more 216 countries and territories, pursuing accredited associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in business administration, computer science, health science, and education. UoPeople is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the same body that accredits Stanford and UC Berkeley.
"Crossing 271,000 students and becoming the largest university in America is proof that when you remove the price tag, talent and ambition are everywhere."
-- SHAI RESHEF, Founder & President, UoPeople
"When we opened our doors in 2009, our mission was simple: education is a human right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it," said Reshef. "This is a message for every student who was ever told higher education was not for them and proved otherwise."
The success stories from our students are pouring in from every corner of the globe. "UoPeople did not just give me a world-class education, it gave me a second chance," said B.N. a computer science graduate from Africa. "The only way I was able to get out of homelessness was because of the education UoPeople provided me, " says D.M, a business graduate from the United States. "When the Taliban decides for us that we don't deserve education....opening the gates to enrich ourself to better ourselves is the best the world can do for us," adds A.D from Afghanistan.
"Surpassing every American university in enrollment shows that the future of higher education is all about access," Reshef added. "We intend to keep growing, keep innovating, and keep proving that a world-class education belongs to everyone, not just the few who can afford it. We also strive to serve as a model for others to replicate; a model that higher education can be accessible and yet not sacrifice quality."
About University of the People
UoPeople is the first non-profit, tuition-free, American-accredited online university -- and now, the largest university in the United States. Founded in 2009 by Shai Reshef and headquartered in Pasadena, California. it is accredited by WSCUC and offers degree programs in business administration, computer science, health science, and education, serving more than 271,000 students in more than 216 countries and territories. Learn more at uopeople.edu.