SNHU vs University of Phoenix:Which is more popular?
In October 2026, University of Phoenix had more branded searches than SNHU among university online degrees worldwide. University of Phoenix had about 550,000 branded searches, while SNHU had 165,000. University of Phoenix made up 25.4% of all university online degree searches we track, and SNHU accounted for 7.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about university online degrees, SNHU appeared in three of the five answers and University of Phoenix in none.
Who do people search for more?
University of Phoenix, about 3 searches for every 1 for SNHU
Who does AI mention more?
SNHU, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, University of Phoenix in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
SNHU, the only one of the two named
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Top university online degrees in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, SNHU was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. University of Phoenix did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Western Governors University5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
SNHU3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Arizona State University Online3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
University of Florida Online3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
University of the People1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
University of Phoenix0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Open University0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Capella University0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Walden University0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Arden University0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about university online degrees
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which university online degree should I join?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best university online degrees?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best university online degree for working adults?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“accredited online degree”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“online bachelor's degree”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is SNHU or University of Phoenix more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for SNHU and University of Phoenix by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 14 university online degree brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for University of Phoenix, SNHU. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | University of Phoenix | Open University | Western Governors University | SNHU | Capella University | University of the People | Walden University | Arden University | Purdue Global | Strayer University | Arizona State University Online | University of Florida Online | Coursera | edX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 22.3% | 22.3% | 14.9% | 8.2% | 5.5% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 3% | 3% | 1.3% | 0.4% | 0.22% | 0.03% |
| Dec 2025 | 20.2% | 16.5% | 20.2% | 9.1% | 6% | 6% | 7.4% | 5% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 0.44% | 0.21% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 22.4% | 18.3% | 18.3% | 10% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 3% | 1.3% | 0.49% | 0.12% | 0.02% |
| Feb 2026 | 21.9% | 17.9% | 17.9% | 9.8% | 6.6% | 5.4% | 6.6% | 5.4% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 0.59% | 0.13% | 0.03% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.5% | 16.4% | 16.4% | 9% | 6% | 4.9% | 7.4% | 6% | 4% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.99% | 0.12% | 0.02% |
| Apr 2026 | 25.3% | 16.9% | 16.9% | 9.2% | 5.1% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 0.56% | 0.1% | 0.02% |
| May 2026 | 24.2% | 16.2% | 16.2% | 8.8% | 5.9% | 7.3% | 7.3% | 4.8% | 4% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 0.65% | 0.11% | 0.02% |
| Jun 2026 | 26% | 14.2% | 17.4% | 9.5% | 5.2% | 7.8% | 6.4% | 5.2% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 0.38% | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Jul 2026 | 24.5% | 20% | 16.4% | 8.9% | 4.9% | 6% | 6% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 0.29% | 0.07% | 0.02% |
| Aug 2026 | 24.9% | 16.7% | 16.7% | 9.1% | 6.1% | 6.1% | 7.5% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.37% | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Sep 2026 | 24.4% | 20% | 16.3% | 8.9% | 4.9% | 6% | 6% | 6% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 1.2% | 0.29% | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Oct 2026 | 25.4% | 20.8% | 13.9% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 1.3% | 0.25% | 0.12% | 0.01% |
How has branded search for SNHU and University of Phoenix changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- University of Phoenix was ahead of SNHU in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, SNHU’s share of searches among university online degrees worldwide moved from 8.2% to 7.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 165K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, University of Phoenix’s share of searches among university online degrees worldwide moved from 22.3% to 25.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 450K to 550K.
How did search popularity change for university online degrees worldwide in October 2026?
2 changes

In October 2026, University of Phoenix gained share of searches among university online degrees worldwide, from 24.4% to 25.4%.

In October 2026, SNHU lost share of searches among university online degrees worldwide, from 8.9% to 7.6%.
How are SNHU’s and University of Phoenix’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using SNHU’s and University of Phoenix’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
SNHU
1 branded search term
- snhu
University of Phoenix
1 branded search term
- university of phoenix
Other head-to-heads among university online degrees

University of Phoenix vs Open University: compare popularity
University of Phoenix vs Western Governors University: compare popularity
University of Phoenix vs Capella University: compare popularity
Open University vs Western Governors University: compare popularity
Open University vs SNHU: compare popularity
Open University vs Capella University: compare popularity

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