American Public University System (APSU) vs University of Phoenix-California

American Public University System (APUS) and University of Phoenix-California (UOPX-CA) are two distinct institutions offering diverse educational opportunities. APUS, a public university, boasts a 100% acceptance rate, making it accessible to a wide range of students. UOPX-CA, a private university, has a more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 88%. Both universities offer a variety of popular majors, including Business, Healthcare Administration, and Information Technology. However, APUS has a larger student body, with over 100,000 students enrolled, while UOPX-CA has a smaller student population of around 10,000. Additionally, APUS has a higher graduation rate of 60%, compared to UOPX-CA's 45%. To help you make an informed decision about your educational journey, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these key differences and more

	American Public University System	University of Phoenix-California
Overview
Location	Charles Town, West Virginia	Ontario, California
Campus setting	Town: Fringe	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (For Profit)	Private (For Profit)
Calendar system	Non Traditional	Non Traditional
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	N/A
Application fees
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants
Total number of admissions given out
Admitted students who chose to enroll
Yield rate
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	Not required	Not required
High school GPA	N/A	N/A
Recommendation letters	N/A	N/A
High school transcript	N/A	N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	N/A

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$17,496
Average net price	$11,916
Tuition	$6,840
Room & board
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	78.0% Average amount $5,082	67.0% Average amount $3,882
Students receiving federal student loan	36.0% Average amount $8,334	67.0% Average amount $6,228
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $0	0.0% Average amount $0

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	38,969 Men 63.6% Women 36.4%	1,161 Men 64.2% Women 35.8%
Graduate students	9,329 Men 61.1% Women 38.9%	434 Men 41.5% Women 58.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	1.3%	N/A
Campus local/setting	Town: Fringe	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	N/A	N/A
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Law Enforcement and Firefighting Liberal Arts Health Professions Computer and Information Science	Business Health Professions Law Enforcement and Firefighting Computer and Information Science Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	22:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	49.3%	18.8%
Dropout rate	33.6%	75.0%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,507 Year 2: $81,702 Year 3: $86,066 Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,935 Year 2: $82,685 Year 3: $84,578 International Relations and National Security Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,770 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $81,412 International/Global Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,015 Year 2: $73,992 Year 3: $80,757 Homeland Security (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $66,045 Year 2: $71,295 Year 3: $73,219 Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,468 Year 2: $60,192 Year 3: $69,785 Fire Protection (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,979 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $69,285 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,224 Year 2: $66,728 Year 3: $68,822 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,442 Year 2: $63,749 Year 3: $67,674 International/Global Studies (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $64,432	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,867 Year 2: $100,487 Year 3: $98,209 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $86,805 Year 2: $88,250 Year 3: $91,501 Computer Programming (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $47,265 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $72,728 Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,781 Year 2: $65,544 Year 3: $68,025 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,875 Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $67,814 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $52,726 Year 2: $58,221 Year 3: $62,239 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,471 Year 2: $60,173 Year 3: $59,527 Computer Systems Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,874 Year 2: $57,544 Year 3: $58,877 Computer Programming (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,361 Year 2: $54,967 Year 3: $58,541 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $52,919 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $57,745

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences between American Public University System (APUS) and University of Phoenix-California?

American Public University System (APUS), which includes American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU), is known for its strong focus on serving military personnel and public service professionals, offering affordable tuition and a wide range of online programs. University of Phoenix-California, on the other hand, is a larger, for-profit institution with a broader student demographic and a wider variety of degree programs, including both online and on-campus options, though its California campuses are now closed.
Which university is more affordable: APUS or University of Phoenix-California?

Generally, APUS is considered more affordable than University of Phoenix-California. APUS often has lower tuition rates, especially for military members and veterans. It's always best to check the most current tuition rates on each university's website for specific programs you're interested in.
Are both APUS and University of Phoenix-California regionally accredited?

APUS is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). University of Phoenix-California is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Regional accreditation is important because it's often a requirement for transferring credits and for many employers.
Which university has a stronger focus on military and public service students?

APUS has a significantly stronger focus on military and public service students. Its history and mission are deeply rooted in serving these communities, and it offers specialized programs and resources tailored to their needs. While University of Phoenix-California also serves veterans, it doesn't have the same level of dedicated focus.
Do both universities offer online degree programs?

Yes, both APUS and University of Phoenix-California offer a wide range of online degree programs. This makes them both accessible to students who need flexible learning options.
What types of degree programs are offered at APUS and University of Phoenix-California?

APUS offers a variety of degree programs, with a strong emphasis on areas like criminal justice, security studies, business, and technology. University of Phoenix-California offers a broader range of programs, including business, education, healthcare, and technology, catering to a wider array of career interests.
How do the class sizes compare between APUS and University of Phoenix-California?

APUS generally has smaller class sizes compared to University of Phoenix-California. This can lead to more personalized attention from instructors and a more engaging learning environment.
What is the reputation of APUS and University of Phoenix-California among employers?

The reputation of both universities varies among employers. APUS is generally well-regarded within the military and public service sectors. University of Phoenix-California, due to its larger size and history, has a more varied reputation. It's always a good idea to research how specific employers view graduates from each institution within your field of interest.
Which university has a more traditional campus environment?

Neither APUS nor University of Phoenix-California currently offer a traditional campus environment in California. APUS is primarily an online institution. University of Phoenix-California has closed its California campuses and focuses on online education.
How do the student support services compare between APUS and University of Phoenix-California?

Both APUS and University of Phoenix-California offer student support services such as academic advising, career services, and technical support. However, APUS may offer more specialized support for military and veteran students, while University of Phoenix-California provides a broader range of services to cater to its diverse student population. It's best to explore the specific services offered by each university to see which aligns best with your needs.

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American Public University System (APSU) vs University of Phoenix-California

American Public University System

University of Phoenix-California

Overview

Admission

Tuition and Fees

Financial Aid

Students and Campus

Academics

Outcome

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences between American Public University System (APUS) and University of Phoenix-California?

Which university is more affordable: APUS or University of Phoenix-California?

Are both APUS and University of Phoenix-California regionally accredited?

Which university has a stronger focus on military and public service students?

Do both universities offer online degree programs?

What types of degree programs are offered at APUS and University of Phoenix-California?

How do the class sizes compare between APUS and University of Phoenix-California?

What is the reputation of APUS and University of Phoenix-California among employers?

Which university has a more traditional campus environment?

How do the student support services compare between APUS and University of Phoenix-California?

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