University of Phoenix: Credits, Costs, Transfers & Online Programs
University of Phoenix is built primarily around working adults, so its short online courses, continuous start dates and transfer-credit options can look very different from a traditional semester university. This guide explains what those differences mean before you enroll, transfer credits, choose a degree or decide whether UoP fits your long-term plan.
The questions most students need answered first
These practical issues usually matter more than promotional claims when you are deciding whether a UoP program fits your degree plan, budget and future goals.
Is UoP accredited?
Yes. It is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Selected programs also have separate programmatic accreditation.
Can old credits count?
Potentially. UoP evaluates eligible accredited coursework, certain exams, military training and prior learning.
Will another university accept UoP credits?
Maybe. The receiving institution always decides, so get a written evaluation before relying on portability.
Are classes fully online?
Most online programs are primarily asynchronous, but deadlines and participation requirements still apply.
How is tuition charged?
Traditional programs are priced by credit, with a separate per-course resource fee.
Is UoP highly ranked?
Rankings vary by methodology. Accreditation, cost, transferability and program fit are more useful than one number.
University of Phoenix is institutionally accredited, but your exact program can matter just as much
University of Phoenix has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1978. Its accreditation was continued for another 10-year cycle, with the next comprehensive reaffirmation evaluation scheduled for 2032-2033.
Institutional accreditation covers University of Phoenix as a degree-granting university.
Selected business programs, including the MBA and several accounting/business degrees, carry ACBSP accreditation.
The Master of Health Administration is programmatically accredited by CAHME.
The BSN, MSN and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are accredited by CCNE.
The online Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's program has CACREP accreditation.
For regulated careers, verify state licensing rules before enrolling because accreditation alone may not satisfy every state requirement.
How many credits do you need at each degree level?
Many UoP traditional courses are three credits, although individual courses can range from one to six credits.
Associate degrees generally require at least 60 credits.
UoP bachelor's degrees generally require 120 credits.
Graduate credit requirements vary by field. The current MBA is 33 credits.
Requirements depend on the doctorate, research sequence and transfer eligibility.
What kinds of degrees does University of Phoenix offer?
Current online fields include business, technology, education, healthcare, nursing, criminal justice, behavioral science, psychology and liberal arts. UoP also offers shorter certificate programs.
Business, accounting, management, finance, marketing and MBA-level study.
Information technology, cybersecurity, data science and related areas.
Health administration and health-management pathways.
Post-licensure RN to BSN, MSN and DNP pathways.
Education, leadership, curriculum and educational-technology study.
Criminal justice and related administrative or security fields.
Psychology, behavioral-science and counseling pathways.
Communication and related general education or liberal-arts programs.
Career-focused certificates in business, education, healthcare and technology.
Current published tuition and what a typical 3-credit course costs
University of Phoenix publishes standard per-credit tuition and separate resource fees for traditional credit-based programs. Its Tuition Guarantee generally keeps the tuition rate fixed through the program completion deadline unless the student changes programs or program versions.
| Level | Tuition per credit | 3-credit tuition | Resource fee | Estimated course cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $398 | $1,194 | $170 | $1,364 |
| Master's | $698 | $2,094 | $195 | $2,289 |
| Doctoral | $810 | $2,430 | $205 | $2,635 |
Transferring credits into UoP and transferring UoP credits out are two different decisions
This is the transfer issue students most often misunderstand.
Transferring credits into University of Phoenix
- Eligible coursework from institutionally accredited schools may be evaluated.
- UoP can provide a preliminary evaluation using unofficial transcripts.
- Official transfer decisions require the admissions and transcript process.
- Bachelor's programs are typically limited to 87 transfer credits; some allow up to 90.
- Eligible testing, military training and prior learning may also count.
- Transferred credits do not affect the UoP GPA.
Taking University of Phoenix credits somewhere else
- The receiving institution decides whether the credit is accepted.
- Accepted credits may count only as electives.
- The receiving school may impose minimum grades or residency rules.
- Major-specific and upper-division requirements may be stricter.
- Regulated programs can have separate accreditation or licensure conditions.
- Get written confirmation before taking a UoP course solely for transfer.
Gather every institution where you completed college-level coursework.
Ask how your prior credits may apply to the exact UoP program.
The official evaluation occurs after required documents are received.
Confirm whether it satisfies general education, major requirements or only electives.
Prior college courses are not the only possible source of credit
Depending on the degree, University of Phoenix may evaluate standardized exams, military training and prior learning.
Eligible CLEP scores may be considered.
Eligible Advanced Placement scores may be evaluated.
Other national testing programs may qualify depending on score and program rules.
Recognized military training recommendations may apply.
Prior Learning Assessment may award credit for qualifying learning.
Transfer pathways with partner colleges can make course equivalencies easier to understand.
Flexible does not mean slow-paced
Most online UoP programs are primarily asynchronous. The advantage is scheduling flexibility; the trade-off is that five- or six-week courses compress a lot of work into a short period.
Traditional online format
- Many bachelor's courses are about five weeks.
- Many master's courses are about six weeks.
- Students commonly take one course at a time.
- Weekly deadlines still apply.
- Most online work does not require a fixed live lecture time.
- Doctoral courses are often around eight weeks.
Competency-based / Direct Assessment
- Designed for students with relevant prior experience and strong time management.
- Competency-based programs may schedule several courses within a 16-week period.
- Progress is based more heavily on demonstrated mastery.
- Direct Assessment can allow two to four courses in a 12-week term.
- Admission requirements vary and may include professional experience and GPA thresholds.
- More autonomy means more responsibility for pacing.
Why the old National Universities ranking should not be used as a current claim
The previous version of this page quoted a stale ranking. Rankings change and different publishers measure different things, especially for a university focused heavily on adult online learners.
Best Value Colleges in Arizona.
Best Online Bachelor's Degrees list.
Online Bachelor of Science in Data Science program ranking.
Use federal outcome data as context, not a promise
The June 2026 College Scorecard release for University of Phoenix-Arizona reported an average net price of about $13,520, a 20.2% completion measure for the defined cohort, median earnings of about $61,486 four years after completion and median federal debt of about $31,553 among completers. Adult and transfer-heavy institutions can look different depending on the cohort definition, so these figures should be interpreted carefully.
$13,520
Reported federal cohort average after grants and scholarships.
20.2%
Reported College Scorecard measure for the defined cohort.
$61,486
Reported earnings for working graduates four years after completion in the referenced release.
Ten questions worth answering first
A strong decision is based on the exact degree and your next step after graduation.
Get Help With Your University of Phoenix Course
If you are already taking a UoP class and are stuck on a weekly assignment, spreadsheet, case study, discussion, paper or exam preparation, send us the course code and current task.
- Start with one assignment or one difficult week
- Upload your rubric, syllabus, screenshots, spreadsheet or case
- Tell us the deadline and the exact UoP course code
- No payment is required just to request a quote
Detailed answers to common enrollment and transfer questions
Is University of Phoenix accredited?+
Yes. University of Phoenix has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1978. Its accreditation was continued in 2023, with the next comprehensive reaffirmation evaluation scheduled for 2032-2033.
How many credits do I need for a University of Phoenix bachelor's degree?+
A University of Phoenix bachelor's degree generally requires 120 credits. Individual programs may divide those credits differently among general education, core courses and electives.
How many credits can I transfer into a bachelor's degree?+
Transfer limits depend on the program. University of Phoenix states that bachelor's programs are typically limited to 87 transfer credits, while some programs may accept up to 90.
Can University of Phoenix credits transfer to another university?+
Possibly, but transfer is never automatic. The receiving college or university decides whether University of Phoenix credits satisfy its own degree, residency, grade and course-equivalency requirements.
Do transfer credits affect my University of Phoenix GPA?+
No. University of Phoenix states that transferred credits do not change your UoP GPA. Your GPA is based on credits earned in residence at University of Phoenix.
How long are University of Phoenix online courses?+
Many traditional undergraduate courses are about five weeks and many master's courses are about six weeks. Doctoral courses are often eight weeks. Exact length depends on the program and course.
Are University of Phoenix classes live or asynchronous?+
Most online programs are primarily asynchronous, so students usually do not have to attend a lecture at a fixed time. Deadlines, participation requirements and scheduled activities still apply.
How much does University of Phoenix cost per credit?+
Current published standard rates are $398 per undergraduate credit, $698 per master's credit and $810 per doctoral credit, with separate per-course resource fees. Some nursing, education and competency-based programs use different rates.
Does University of Phoenix accept CLEP, AP, military or work-experience credit?+
Potentially. UoP evaluates eligible prior college coursework, national testing such as CLEP and AP, certain military training and some work or life learning through its Prior Learning Assessment process.
Is University of Phoenix respected by employers?+
There is no universal employer response. The university is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, but employer preferences differ by occupation, organization and licensing requirements. Students should check programmatic accreditation and state licensure rules for regulated careers.
How is University of Phoenix ranked?+
There is no single definitive ranking. Current third-party lists use different methodologies. Examples include Niche's 2027 Best Value Colleges in Arizona ranking, OnlineU's 2026 online bachelor's list and TechGuide's 2026 data-science ranking. Accreditation, transferability, cost and program fit are often more useful than one rank.
What should I verify before enrolling?+
Confirm the exact degree requirements, total estimated cost, transfer-credit evaluation, professional licensure rules, programmatic accreditation if relevant and whether the program matches the requirements of your intended employer or graduate school.
Primary sources reviewed:
UoP Academic Catalog · Accreditation · Tuition · Transfer Credits
Ranking examples are third-party and can change: Niche 2027, OnlineU 2026 and TechGuide 2026. Federal outcome figures reference the June 2026 College Scorecard release.