University of Phoenix facts for kids
| Motto | We Rise |
|---|---|
| Type | Private for-profit university |
| Established | 1976 |
| Founders | John Sperling John D. Murphy |
|
Parent institution
|
Apollo Global Management and Vistria Group |
| Accreditation | HLC |
| President | Chris Lynne |
|
Academic staff
|
2,727 (2022) |
|
Total staff
|
4,578 (2022) |
| Students | 76,000 (2022) |
| Undergraduates | 60,700 (2022) |
| Postgraduates | 13,100 (2022) |
| 2,200 (2022) | |
| Location |
,
,
United States (headquarters)
|
| Campus | Online, 1 campus under direct control |
 |
|
The University of Phoenix (often called UoPX) is a private university. It is based in Phoenix, Arizona. The university started in 1976. It offers many types of learning programs. These include certificates and degrees like associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
The university is approved by the Higher Learning Commission. This means its programs meet certain quality standards. For many of its undergraduate programs, it has an open enrollment policy. This means it is easier to get in. The school is currently owned by two groups: Apollo Global Management and Vistria Group.
Contents
University of Phoenix: A Look Back
How It Started and Grew (1970s–2000s)
The University of Phoenix was created in 1976. It was founded by John Sperling and John D. Murphy. In 1980, the university grew and opened a location in San Jose, California. Then, in 1989, it started offering classes online. This was a new way for many people to learn.
At first, many employers helped pay for their workers to attend. This helped managers get more education. In 1994, the company that owned UoPX became public. By 1999, more than 100,000 students were enrolled.
Over time, the university started to rely more on government funding. Some people felt the school changed its main goal. They thought it focused less on just helping working adults. Instead, it started accepting almost anyone with a high school diploma.
In the early 2000s, the university faced some challenges. There were concerns about how it counted class hours. Also, some former employees said the school paid people based on how many students they signed up. This was against the rules for getting financial aid. The university paid money to settle these issues. However, it did not admit to doing anything wrong.
In 2008, the University of Phoenix became the top university. It received the most Pell Grant money. Pell Grants are a type of financial aid for students. It also received the most overall student financial aid.
Changes and Online Learning (2010s)
Around 2010, the University of Phoenix had a lot of students. It had over 470,000 students at its peak. The university even paid a lot of money to have a sports stadium named after it. This was the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The naming rights ended in 2017.
During this time, the university started to focus more on online learning. It opened new centers for online students. These centers helped students meet professors and other students. They also offered places for alumni to connect.
The university faced more questions about its advertising. There were also concerns about how it recruited students. Some reports said that the university's graduation rate for online students was low.
In 2015, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) looked into the university's advertising. In 2019, UoPX agreed to pay a large settlement. This was because of claims that it used misleading ads. Part of the settlement included canceling some student debt. The university did not admit wrongdoing.
Between 2010 and 2016, the number of students at UoPX went down a lot. This happened during many investigations and discussions about the school.
New Owners and Recent Times (2016–Present)
In 2016, a private investment group bought the University of Phoenix. This group included Apollo Global Management. A former U.S. Department of Education official became the chairman. The sale was approved by education groups.
In 2020, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs looked into the university. They had concerns about how it recruited military students. However, they later withdrew their concerns.
The University of Phoenix has continued to close some of its physical campuses. By 2025, it plans to have only one campus open for new in-person students. This shows its focus on online learning.
Recently, the university was part of a student loan cancellation. This was for students who felt they were misled. In 2023, the U.S. government canceled nearly $37 million in student loan debt for some former students.
Attempts to Sell the University
Since 2021, the owners of the University of Phoenix have tried to sell it. They have talked to several other universities about buying it. In 2023, the University of Idaho announced a plan to buy UoPX. This deal would cost $685 million.
The plan faced some challenges. The Idaho Attorney General sued the University of Idaho. He said the deal might have broken a state law. However, a court dismissed the case in January 2024. The case is now going to the Idaho Supreme Court. Despite these issues, both sides still want to complete the sale.
Learning at University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix has an open admissions policy for most undergraduate programs. This means if you have a high school diploma, you can usually get in. The university helps students get financial aid. This aid can help pay for their education.
Besides degree programs, UoPX offers other courses. These include classes for teachers and professionals. They also have special courses for military members. Students usually spend time with an instructor in each course. They also work together on group projects.
Students can use online resources for their classes. This includes an online library with textbooks. Some people have said that the courses are too short. They also think that group projects might lead to a less strong education.
The University of Phoenix has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission since 1978. This is a very important approval. It shows that the university meets high standards for education.
The university also has special approvals for many of its programs. These include programs in:
- Business: Programs like a Bachelor of Science in business and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
- Education: Master of Arts in Education programs for teachers.
- Nursing: Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in nursing. These help students become registered nurses.
- Social Sciences: Master of Science in Counseling programs.
University Rankings
The University of Phoenix is listed in national university rankings. For example, in 2021, Washington Monthly ranked it 386th out of 391 national universities. U.S. News & World Report ranked it between #331 and #440 in 2022.
Who Owns and Leads the University?
The University of Phoenix is owned by Apollo Global Management and Vistria Group. The president of the university is Chris Lynne. The chief academic officer is John Woods. These leaders help guide the university's direction and learning programs.
Students at University of Phoenix
The students at the University of Phoenix come from many different backgrounds. In 2022, about 26% of students were white. About 20% were black, and 11% were Hispanic. Many students' backgrounds were unknown (39%).
Most students at UoPX are women. About two-thirds of the students are female. The average age of a student is 37 years old. More than 83% of students are working while they go to school. Also, about 21% of students have a connection to the military.
Many students use financial aid from the Department of Defense or the G.I. Bill. The university has also worked with the U.S. Army University. It has had a presence at some military bases.
Teachers at University of Phoenix
Most teachers at the University of Phoenix work part-time. About 97% of instructors teach part-time. This is different from many other universities. Most classes are designed in a central way. This helps make sure all classes are consistent. Teachers do not get tenure, which is a type of permanent job status.
Student Success
A study in 2016 looked at student loan default rates. It estimated that 47% of University of Phoenix students defaulted on their loans within five years. The overall graduation rate for the university is about 15%. This rate looks at students who finish their programs.
Famous People Who Attended UoPX
Many notable people have earned degrees from the University of Phoenix.
- Government: Howard Schmidt, Mary Peters, and Brad Dee.
- Military and Law Enforcement: Kirkland H. Donald and Harold Hurtt.
- Media: Former MSNBC anchor Christina Brown.
- Athletes: Famous athletes like Shaquille O'Neal, Lisa Leslie, Michael Russell, and Larry Fitzgerald. Larry Fitzgerald even became a spokesman for the university.
The University of Phoenix also works with community groups. These include the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the American Red Cross. It also partners with the ASIS Foundation to offer scholarships.
