Brandwave

Capella University vs University of Phoenix:Which is more popular?

In October 2026, University of Phoenix had more branded searches than Capella University among university online degrees worldwide. University of Phoenix had about 550,000 branded searches, while Capella University had 135,000. University of Phoenix made up 25.4% of all university online degree searches we track, and Capella University accounted for 6.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about university online degrees, neither Capella University nor University of Phoenix appeared in any of the five answers.

Among university online degrees worldwide in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

University of Phoenix, about 4 searches for every 1 for Capella University

University of Phoenix 550K searchesCapella University 135K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 0 of 5 answers.

Capella University in 0 of 5University of Phoenix in 0 of 5

Follow Capella University vs University of Phoenix and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top university online degrees in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, neither Capella University nor University of Phoenix showed up in any of the five answers.

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

+4 more

See every answer about university online degrees

5 answers

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 Capella University or University of Phoenix more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Capella University 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.

Capella University and University of Phoenix among university online degrees worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for University of Phoenix, Capella University. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthUniversity of PhoenixOpen UniversityWestern Governors UniversitySNHUCapella UniversityUniversity of the PeopleWalden UniversityArden UniversityPurdue GlobalStrayer UniversityArizona State University OnlineUniversity of Florida OnlineCourseraedX
Nov 202522.3%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 202520.2%16.5%20.2%9.1%6%6%7.4%5%4.1%3.3%1.5%0.44%0.21%0.03%
Jan 202622.4%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 202621.9%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 202624.5%16.4%16.4%9%6%4.9%7.4%6%4%2.7%1.5%0.99%0.12%0.02%
Apr 202625.3%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 202624.2%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 202626%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 202624.5%20%16.4%8.9%4.9%6%6%4.9%3.3%3.3%1.5%0.29%0.07%0.02%
Aug 202624.9%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 202624.4%20%16.3%8.9%4.9%6%6%6%3.3%2.7%1.2%0.29%0.08%0.02%
Oct 202625.4%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 Capella University and University of Phoenix changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for university online degrees worldwide in October 2026?

2 changes

  1. In October 2026, Capella University overtook Arden University and 2 others to rank 5th among university online degrees worldwide, with 6.2% of the searches.

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

How are Capella University’s and University of Phoenix’s branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Capella University’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.

Capella University

1 branded search term

  • capella university

University of Phoenix

1 branded search term

  • university of phoenix

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among university online degrees

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free