University of the People vs Walden University:Which is more popular?
In October 2026, University of the People and Walden University 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 Walden University in none.
Who do people search for more?
University of the People and Walden University are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
University of the People, mentioned in 1 of 5 answers, Walden University in 0
Follow University of the People vs Walden University 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
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. Walden University 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 University of the People or Walden University more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for University of the People and Walden University 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 the People, Walden University. 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 University of the People and Walden University changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending October 2026: University of the People took it in June 2026, Walden University took it in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, University of the People’s share of searches among university online degrees worldwide moved from 6.7% to 6.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Walden University’s share of searches among university online degrees worldwide moved from 6.7% to 6.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 135K.
How did search popularity change for university online degrees worldwide in October 2026?
1 change

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 University of the People’s and Walden University’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using University of the People’s and Walden University’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 the People
1 branded search term
- university of the people
Walden University
1 branded search term
- walden university
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 SNHU: compare popularity
University of Phoenix vs Capella University: compare popularity
Open University vs Western Governors University: compare popularity
Open University vs SNHU: compare popularity

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.