Brandwave

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

In October 2026, University of Phoenix had more branded searches than University of the People among university online degrees worldwide. University of Phoenix had about 550,000 branded searches, while University of the People had 135,000. University of Phoenix made up 25.4% of all university online degree searches we track, and University of the People accounted for 6.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about university online degrees, University of the People appeared in one of the five answers and University of Phoenix in none.

Among university online degrees worldwide in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

University of Phoenix, about 4 searches for every 1 for University of the People

University of Phoenix 550K searchesUniversity of the People 135K searches

Who does AI mention more?

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

University of the People in 1 of 5University of Phoenix 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. University of Phoenix 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 University of Phoenix or University of the People more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for University of Phoenix 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.

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

Share of searches by month for University of Phoenix, 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 University of Phoenix 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?

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 University of Phoenix’s and University of the People’s branded searches counted?

2 search terms

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

University of Phoenix

1 branded search term

  • university of phoenix

University of the People

1 branded search term

  • university of the people

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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