Brandwave

Capella University vs University of the People:Which is more popular?

In October 2026, Capella University and University of the People were level in searches among university online degrees worldwide, with an estimated 135K branded searches each, at 6.2% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about university online degrees, University of the People appeared in one of the five answers and Capella University in none.

Among university online degrees worldwide in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Capella University and University of the People are searched for about as often as each other.

Capella University 135K searchesUniversity of the People 135K searches

Who does AI mention more?

University of the People, mentioned in 1 of 5 answers, Capella University in 0

University of the People in 1 of 5Capella University in 0 of 5

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Top university online degrees in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, University of the People was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Capella University did not appear 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 the People more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Capella University and University of the People 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 the People among university online degrees worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Capella University, University of the People. 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 the People changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

3 findings

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

1 change

  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.

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

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Capella University’s and University of the People’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 the People

1 branded search term

  • university of the people

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among university online degrees

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