Option 2: University of the People — An American Degree from Home#

If you cannot get to the United States, bring the United States to you. University of the People (UoPeople) is an accredited, tuition-free American university that is completely online. No visa needed. No travel needed. Study from your home country and earn a real American degree.

What Is University of the People?#

University of the People is a fully accredited online university based in Pasadena, California. It was founded in 2009 with a mission to provide accessible, affordable education worldwide.

Key facts:

• Accredited by the DEAC (Distance Education Accrediting Commission), recognized by the US Department of Education
• Tuition-free — you only pay small assessment fees per course ($120 for bachelor's, $300 for master's)
• Fully online — study from anywhere in the world
• No visa needed — you never have to set foot in America
• Recognized by major employers — graduates work at Google, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, and more
• Transfer agreements — credits can transfer to other US universities

Programs Available#

UoPeople offers bachelor's and master's degrees in several fields:

Bachelor's Degrees#

• Computer Science — the most popular program
• Business Administration
• Health Science
• Education

Master's Degrees#

• MBA (Master of Business Administration)
• M.Ed. (Master of Education)
• MS in Information Technology

Associate Degrees#

• Computer Science
• Business Administration
• Health Science

What It Costs#

UoPeople is tuition-free. You do not pay tuition. You only pay assessment fees for each course you take:

Compare that to $50,000+ per year at a traditional US university. UoPeople is by far the most affordable way to get an American degree.

Scholarships are available if you cannot afford even the assessment fees. Apply for a UoPeople scholarship.

Why This Matters for Banned Students#

Here is why University of the People is a game-changer for students affected by the travel ban:

1. The Ban Does Not Apply#

The travel ban blocks visas. UoPeople is online. You do not need a visa. You do not need to enter the United States. The ban is completely irrelevant to your ability to study at UoPeople.

2. You Get an American Degree#

Your degree is from an accredited American institution. It carries weight internationally. Employers and graduate schools recognize it.

3. You Can Transfer Credits Later#

If the ban is lifted and you want to attend a US university in person later, many of your UoPeople credits can transfer. You will not have to start from scratch.

UoPeople has transfer agreements and partnerships with universities including:

• University of California, Berkeley (extension)
• New York University (NYU)
• University of Edinburgh
• And others

4. You Start Now — Not Later#

While other students are waiting for the ban to lift, you are earning credits. Every course you complete is one step closer to your degree. By the time the ban lifts, you could be halfway done — or already graduated.

5. The Cost Is Almost Nothing#

At $120 per course for a bachelor's degree, you can pay as you go. There is no massive upfront cost. You can work and study at the same time.

How to Enroll#

Step 1: Go to the UoPeople Website#

Visit University of the People and create an account.

Step 2: Choose Your Program#

Select your degree program and choose between a bachelor's, master's, or associate degree.

Step 3: Submit Your Application#

You will need:

• A completed application form
• High school transcripts (for bachelor's/associate) or bachelor's transcripts (for master's)
• Proof of English proficiency — TOEFL, IELTS, or UoPeople's own English proficiency course
• A copy of your ID or passport

There is no application fee.

Step 4: Take the English Foundation Course (If Needed)#

If your English proficiency is not strong enough, UoPeople offers a foundation course to help you get ready. This is not a barrier — it is a stepping stone.

Step 5: Start Taking Courses#

Once admitted, you start taking courses. Each course lasts 9 weeks. You study at your own pace, on your own schedule. There are 5 terms per year, so you can move fast if you want.

Is UoPeople Respected?#

Let me be honest. UoPeople is not Harvard. It is not Columbia. It is not the University of Toronto. Employers who specifically screen for Ivy League or top-50 university names will not put UoPeople in the same category.

But here is the reality:

• Most employers care about skills, not school names. Especially in tech and business.
• UoPeople graduates work at top companies. Google, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM have all hired UoPeople graduates.
• In many countries, any American degree carries weight. A US-accredited degree opens doors that a local degree might not.
• For the price, nothing beats it. You are comparing a $5,000 degree to a $200,000 degree. The ROI is incredible.

If your alternative is not studying at all because of the travel ban, UoPeople is infinitely better than doing nothing.

The Smart Combination Strategy#

Here is what I recommend for students affected by the ban:

1. Apply to top US universities (Option 1) — get accepted, defer admission
2. Enroll at UoPeople now — start earning credits immediately
3. Apply to Canadian universities (Option 3) — have a backup plan
4. Transfer when ready — if the ban lifts, use your UoPeople credits to transfer to your deferred US university. If it does not lift, you still have an American degree.

This way, you are never sitting still. You are always making progress toward your degree, no matter what happens with the ban.

The Bottom Line#

University of the People is not a consolation prize. It is a real university, with real degrees, recognized by real employers. For students affected by the travel ban, it is an immediate path forward that does not require a visa, does not require travel, and costs almost nothing.

Start your application at UoPeople today.