Choosing an affordable online university shouldn't mean compromising on quality. When comparing University of the People (UoPeople) and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), you're looking at two well-established institutions with fundamentally different approaches to cost, program offerings, and student support.
UoPeople pioneered tuition-free higher education, charging only minimal assessment fees to make degrees accessible to students worldwide. SNHU, founded in 1932, has grown into one of the largest nonprofit online universities in the United States, offering extensive program options with federal financial aid eligibility.
This guide breaks down the key differences between these two universities across the factors that matter most: total cost, program availability, accreditation, flexibility, and career support. We'll also show you how Nexford University compares—because depending on your goals, there might be an even better fit.
Let's dive in.
Founded: 2009
Focus: Tuition-free online education for global accessibility
Accreditation: WSCUC (Regional)
Model: Assessment fees per course (no tuition)
Programs: Business Administration, Computer Science, Health Science, Education, Information Technology
Key Differentiator: Lowest total cost option with regional accreditation; serves students from over 200 countries.
Founded: 1932
Focus: Comprehensive online university with extensive program breadth
Accreditation: NECHE (Regional)
Model: Per-credit tuition with financial aid eligibility
Programs: 200+ online degree programs across multiple fields
Key Differentiator: Massive institutional scale with extensive support services and established reputation.
Let's address what matters most for budget-conscious students: what you'll actually pay for your degree.
UoPeople:
SNHU:
The Difference: UoPeople's total cost of $6,460 is approximately 84% less than SNHU's $41,040 for a bachelor's degree [5][7]. However, SNHU students who qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships, or employer tuition reimbursement may significantly reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
UoPeople:
SNHU:
The Difference: UoPeople's MBA costs approximately 72% less than SNHU's. At $5,460 versus $19,770, the savings are substantial [6][13]. That said, SNHU offers 17 MBA concentrations and federal financial aid eligibility, which may offset costs for some students.
UoPeople offers focused programs in high-demand fields: [3]
SNHU offers extensive program variety: [9]
The Difference: If you're pursuing business, technology, education, or health science, UoPeople's focused offerings may meet your needs at a fraction of the cost. If you need specialized programs in areas like criminal justice, nursing, game design, or engineering, SNHU's breadth is unmatched.
University of the People is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), also a regional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. SNHU also carries specialized programmatic accreditations including ACBSP for business programs and CCNE for nursing.
What This Means: Both universities hold legitimate regional accreditation, meaning your degree will be respected by employers and other educational institutions. SNHU's programmatic accreditations (like ACBSP for business) may provide additional validation in specific fields.
The Difference: Both universities offer structured online learning with asynchronous delivery, making them suitable for working professionals. SNHU's shorter undergraduate terms may allow faster progression, while UoPeople's model emphasizes affordability over speed.
The Difference: SNHU's institutional scale provides more extensive support infrastructure, including 24/7 tutoring and a massive alumni network. UoPeople's lean model keeps costs low but may offer less comprehensive services. Choose based on how much support you need versus how much you want to save.
If you're comparing UoPeople and SNHU, you might also consider Nexford University—especially if you're pursuing business or technology degrees and value true self-paced learning with integrated career coaching.
✅ You need the absolute lowest cost option
✅ You're comfortable with 9-week term structure and weekly deadlines
✅ You're pursuing business, computer science, health science, or education
✅ You don't require federal financial aid
✅ Regional accreditation (WSCUC) meets your needs
✅ You value the volunteer-driven mission model
✅ You need extensive program variety (200+ options)
✅ You qualify for federal financial aid or employer tuition reimbursement
✅ You want comprehensive support services (24/7 tutoring, career services, writing center)
✅ You're pursuing specialized fields like nursing, criminal justice, or game design
✅ Institutional scale and established reputation matter to you
✅ You're a military service member or spouse seeking tuition discounts
✅ You want true self-paced learning without term constraints
✅ You need monthly start dates (begin the 1st of any month)
✅ You value integrated career coaching from enrollment
✅ You're pursuing business or technology degrees
✅ You want the option to accelerate and finish your MBA in 9 months
✅ You're an international student seeking globally adjusted pricing
✅ You want project-based learning with real company case studies
Both UoPeople and SNHU serve different student needs effectively.
UoPeople is ideal for cost-conscious students who prioritize affordability above all else. At $6,460 for a bachelor's degree [5] and $5,460 for an MBA [6], it's hard to find a more affordable regionally accredited option. If you're comfortable with structured terms, volunteer faculty, and a focused program selection, UoPeople delivers genuine value.
SNHU is ideal for students who need program variety, comprehensive support services, or federal financial aid eligibility. If you're pursuing specialized fields beyond business and technology—or if financial aid can offset the higher sticker price—SNHU's scale and resources may be worth the investment.
Nexford bridges the gap for working professionals pursuing business and technology degrees who want maximum flexibility, integrated career coaching, and competitive pricing. With true self-pacing, monthly starts, and project-based learning, Nexford offers a modern approach to online education that doesn't force you into term-based schedules.
The best choice depends on your specific situation: your budget, your field of study, your need for support services, and your preferred learning structure.
If Nexford sounds like the right fit for your goals, here's how to take the next step:
Explore Nexford's programs:
Your future doesn't have to wait for the next term. Take the first step today.
uopeople.edu
[1] UoPeople Accreditation: https://www.uopeople.edu/student-experience/quality/accreditation/
[2] UoPeople Online Learning: https://www.uopeople.edu/student-experience/uopeople-difference/online-learning-uopeople/
[3] UoPeople Programs: https://www.uopeople.edu/programs/
[4] UoPeople Processing Fees: https://www.uopeople.edu/tuition-free/processing-fees/
[5] UoPeople Undergraduate Catalog - Total Estimated Fees: https://catalog.uopeople.edu/ug_term1_item/processing-fees-scholarships-and-financial-assistance/total-estimated-fees
[6] UoPeople Graduate Catalog - Total Estimated Fees: https://catalog.uopeople.edu/graduate-catalog-t1/processing-fees-scholarships-and-financial-assistance/total-estimated-fees
snhu.edu
[7] https://www.snhu.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid/online — Online tuition rates
[8] https://www.snhu.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid/paying-for-college — Financial aid information
[9] https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees — 200+ online degree programs
[10] https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/accreditations — NECHE and programmatic accreditations
[11] https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/bachelors/bs-in-business-administration — Program structure and support services
[12] https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/bachelors/bs-in-business-administration - Undergraduate
[13] https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/masters/mba-online -Online MBA Programs
Last updated: February 2026
This article was written and fact-checked as of February 2026. We've made every effort to ensure accuracy by verifying all pricing, program details, and accreditation information directly from official university sources. However, tuition rates, program offerings, and policies can change. For the most current and accurate information, always consult official university websites and admission advisors directly.